Issue - meetings

The Board received a presentation on the progress made against the SEND Improvement Plan and the findings of a recent parent survey.

The Delivering Better Values (DBV) Programme was outlined, which aimed to support local authorities and their partners in improving the delivery of SEND (Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities) services for children and young people.  The DVB Programmed focussed on financial sustainability whilst ensuring good outcomes for children with SEND.

Workstreams one and two were explained, which included work around Thrive and Team Teach training, and the plans for Emotional Based School Non-Attendance training.

The outcomes of the Children and Young People and Parent/Carer Surveys were presented.  These had identified 5 priorities, below, details of which were given in the report:

1.     Strategic Oversight and Governance;

2.     Cohesive communication / joined up systems;

3.     Joint Commissioning;

4.     Early identification of need and access; and

5.     Education Health and Care Plans.

Overall the parents / carers expressed dissatisfaction with the process and communication from both Education and Health professionals, although there was greater satisfaction with social care services.  Further details of these areas of dissatisfaction were presented.

The following responses were provided to Members’ questions:

·       Although 73% of schools had signed up to Thrive, 27% had not.  The main reasons were because they had already done something similar at their schools or, there were capacity issues.  So they either plan to access the training in the future, or already had equivalent training embedded;

·       Discussions regarding the business models of Multi Academy Trusts (MATs) in relation to excluding pupils with SEND – officers had met with CEO’s of 90% of all MATs in Halton to discuss working together to improve school attendance, including the impact of suspensions.  Meetings would be held with the dioceses’ as well in the coming months to discuss the same;

·       Data was being collected regarding exclusions of children with SEND, which would be presented when available;

·       Two senior quality assurance officers had been recruited to work with schools around the Local Authority’s statutory duties, including attendance, inclusion and alternative provision; 

·       Academy schools were required to engage with local authorities on statutory matters/duties;

·       A list of schools with resource bases within them would be provided to the Board for information;

·       Raise Academy was now open and Members were invited to contact the Head Teacher if they wished to visit.  An open day was being arranged for the Schools’ neighbours; and

·       The Board requested further information and reporting on the number of children for whom there was an open search for an independent special school, due to no suitable provision in Borough being identified.  The Board noted the financial implications, including transport costs associated with this placement, as well as the impact upon the child in accessing education outside of the Borough.

It was noted that the complete survey’s Q and A would be sent to the Board for information.

RESOLVED:  That the Plan and comments made be noted.