Issue - meetings

To update the Committee on progress with SEND. This will include the outcome of the service’s self-evaluation and latest performance data - Report enclosed.

Jane Carter, Disability and Professional Practice Manager introduced this item. In April 2019, Cabinet approved the SEND and Inclusion Strategy for the period 2019- 2023. This formed part of the strategic framework of the Warwickshire Education Strategy and replaced the Vulnerable Learners Strategy 2015-2018. The Strategy was co-produced and identified six priority areas. It was supported by a delivery plan and workstreams involving stakeholders. The strategy had been communicated via meetings and conferences, as well as through the distribution of a leaflet. It was monitored by the SEND and Inclusion Board.

The SEND Code of Practice 2015 set out the statutory framework and expectations, which included an expectation regarding education, health and care (EHC) plans. In July 2019, 4,090 children and young people had EHC plans in Warwickshire, which was an increase from 2,781 in 2014. A section of the report outlined performance across the SEND system. It included key activities and performance measures, which were summarised in the report with further information and data provided in an appendix.

The areas reported on were:

• Promoting Inclusion

• Getting it right for learners with high needs (school age)

• Improving health and social care for learners with SEND

• Preparing for adulthood

• Transport

• Workforce development

The report outlined plans for a peer review and an expected inspection of the SEND service. Warwickshire was one of four local authorities in the West Midlands yet to receive its SEND local area inspection. The inspection would take place by March 2021. So far, 45 of 91 inspections had resulted in a ‘Written Statement of Action’. The County Council had prepared for its inspection through regular updates to portfolio holders, strategic directors and the SEND & Inclusion Board. The key document for inspection was the local self-evaluation.

This was reviewed on a termly basis by the SEND & Inclusion Board. A peer review had been invited to focus on planning for EHC plans and the preparation for adulthood arrangements. This took place on 19 -20 September 2019. A verbal update was given, and the peer review had provided a useful rehearsal ahead of the inspection. The financial implications were reported. The implementation of the SEND & Inclusion Strategy was from within existing budgets across education, health and social care. The financial pressures on SEND were well documented nationally. The current forecast was that the high needs block was forecast to overspend by £4.3m 2019-06-18 CYP OSC minutes Page 5 of 12 in 2019/20, with a medium-term view that overspend would peak at £13.3m in 2021/22. In the government spending review 2019, a further £700m of funding would be provided nationally for high needs in 2020/21, although detail was awaited on the allocation for Warwickshire.

The Committee was reminded that the SEND Implementation Grant, with a current allocation of £261k over two years, was due to end in March 2020. Following a staffing restructure in Education Services, responsibility for mainstream and SEN transport had been separated. Forecast spend for SEN transport was over £9m. This was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4