Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Children and Family Services which provided an overview of the Building Education Services Together (BEST) programme plan and provided information relating to the development of a Belonging in Education Strategy. A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 9’, is filed with these minutes.

The Lead Member for Children and Families emphasised that the program plan presented a clear, well-structured approach to strengthening education services. In addition, that the Plan demonstrated strong partnership working which focussed on improved delivery for all children across the County.

Arising from discussion, the following points were raised:

(i)        With regards to a statement within the report which outlined that children and young people with SEND should be able to learn at a school or college close to their home, a member asked whether the provision selected would be best suited to each child’s needs. The Director provided assurances that whilst proximity was desirable, provision would always be appropriate for meeting a child’s specific needs.

(ii)       A member asked how the Programme would aim to strengthen inclusive practice whilst at the same time improving performance. The Director stated that a Government White Paper relating to SEND was expected to place strong emphasis on mainstream inclusion, supported through improved outreach and access to the right professionals at the right time. The Service would aim to utilise initiatives such as the Oakfield outreach offer, a proposed “help at hand” model, alongside other approaches, which the Department had already begun to develop, in order to enable a broader range of needs to be met within mainstream provision.

(iii)      A question was asked regarding how long-term cost reductions would be achieved. The Director explained that savings would arise largely through cost avoidance, as independent specialist placements averaged nearly £70,000 per year, compared with £20,000 to £30,000 for maintained mainstream specialist places. An expansion of local provision, together with growth in enhanced resource bases in mainstream schools, would reduce reliance on higher cost independent placements.

(iv)      A question was asked regarding the circumstances under which an EHCP would cease. The Director stated that EHCPs often ceased once the identified provision was no longer required nor appropriate, for example when a young person had moved into adulthood and no longer needed formal educational support, or when needs had changed significantly. Improvements had been made to the annual review process in order to ensure more timely identification of cases where provision should cease.

(v)       A question was asked regarding a review of the early years SEND support offer, which included evaluating national childcare developments and local responses. The Director stated that this work involved assessing how best to support an increasing number of early years children entering provision, reviewing commissioned services, and determining future models as part of an Early Years Service review.

(vi)      Concern was raised with regards to the process of advancing smarter commissioning procurement demand management. The Director provided assurances that the intention was not to reduce existing SEND provision, but to ensure that placements remained appropriate and cost effective. The Department would continue to work collaboratively with mainstream schools in order to avoid unnecessary transitions to independent specialist provision.

(vii)    Members were concerned that demand for specialist provision would continue to exceed capacity. The Director provided assurances that plans were already underway to expand special school places, including through a new special school and satellite provision. Members noted that existing funding and staffing capacity would be directed towards more effective models of support, particularly within mainstream settings, in order to improve inclusion and reduce pressure on the High Needs Block.

(viii)   Concern was also raised regarding the feasibility of meeting highly specialist needs within mainstream schools. The Director stated that SEND support was specific to individual children and that not all schools could accommodate highly specialist requirements. However, the Department was undertaking work to expand capability where appropriate, including capital adaptations, targeted support for specific needs, and outreach aimed at upskilling mainstream staff. Members noted that provision would continue to be arranged on a case-by-case basis.

(ix)      A question was asked regarding whether national reforms linked to deficit recovery could lead to service reductions. The Director provided assurances that there was currently no indication of required service reductions and that High Needs Block funding was not expected to decrease. The DfE had outlined that it would assess the reform plan before determining the contribution to historical deficit, but further details were awaited.

(x)       Members noted that the Programme would aim to ensure consistency across all settings, as inclusivity often varied between schools. The Director emphasised that services would focus on embedding high standards and ensuring alignment across processes, decision-making and support pathways. Strengthened powers for Local Authorities within admissions processes would help to support this objective.

RESOLVED:

That the overview of the Building Education Services Together (BEST) programme plan and information relating to the development of a Belonging in Education Strategy, be noted.