Issue - meetings

A paper seeking approval of a policy document that brings together existing guidance documents and separate policies relating to the Local Authority’s duties under Section 19 of the Education Act 1996.

Cabinet Portfolio Holder – Councillor Kam Kaur

Councillor Kam Kaur, Portfolio Holder for Education, explained that when a child could not attend their educational setting because of a physical or mental health need, exclusion, or any other legitimate reason, the local authority was responsible for arranging suitable provision.  This report brought the existing guidance for the three categories under the Section 19 Duty, into a single document in order to ensure consistency and provide clarity for parents and schools.  Bringing attention to the demand and cost implications in the report, she noted that the policy was not proposing savings and there was an increased demand for the service, evidenced by 751 education health and care plans (EHCPs) being issued in 2023, rising to 1,010 currently and 1,200 expected by year end. 

Councillor Jerry Roodhouse welcomed the report, noting that the policy indicated it would be reviewed every three years and he questioned if this had always been the case, or if it should be a shorter timeframe.  He also questioned whether the figures associated with the report were reported annually to overview and scrutiny.

The Executive Director for Education indicated that requests under the Section 19 duty itself were not reported annually, but figures around the number of children affected by the policy were – eg the number of exclusions  Councillor Kam Kaur stated that she was supportive of the figures being provided to Scrutiny.  Councillor Seccombe noted that the policy stated review would be every three years or ‘where major changes in legislation or policy required it’ and she supported that flexibility.

Resolved:

That Cabinet approves Warwickshire’s policy for ‘Supporting children who are unable to attend their education setting under Section 19 of the Education Act 1996’, attached to the report at Appendices 1 and 2.