Minutes:
The Chair welcomed Duane Chappell, Strategy and Commissioning Manager (SEND & Inclusion) and Rachel Barnes (Delivery Lead, Change Hub Lead) to the meeting. Between them Duane and Rachel briefed the committee on the SEND and Inclusion Change programme and the local area SEND inspection that had been undertaken in the summer of 2021.
Members were informed of an anticipated increase in demand for SEND services of 14%. This will significantly increase the service’s overspend to around £95m. To build momentum a number of projects delivering rapid results were identified. These included the reduction of the number of panels from nine to two and a review of the service’s structure to make sure that staff are in the best place to deliver an effective service.
The vision for SEND and inclusion was set out in the meeting and the three phases of the change programme explained. The committee was informed that Warwickshire needs to introduce a whole system change to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of children and young people with SEND. For this to happen there needs to be a focus on promoting inclusion in mainstream settings, giving schools the skills and resources to meet the needs of learners, and building the confidence of parents and carers. To aid in the delivery of this over 30 projects will take place up to 2023.
Regarding the local area inspection, the committee was informed that in July 2021, Ofsted & CQC visited Warwickshire to assess how the local area fulfils their responsibilities for children and young people with SEND age 0-25. (The local area includes WCC, CCG, Public Health, NHS providers, early years’ settings, schools and Further Education providers). The inspection final report was published on 23 September on the council’s website.
Although several areas were commended, there are significant areas of weakness that the local area needs to address. A Written Statement of Action is being co-produced with partners, parents and carers showing how the council will deliver the improvements needed.
The committee was informed of a series of strengths identified by the inspection. These were:
• Commitment of leaders to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND
• Children and young people with SEND achieve positive educational outcomes. A high proportion remain in education, training and employment
• Attendance rates are very positive and fixed term exclusions have reduced dramatically
• Leaders understand the strengths and weaknesses with an accurate, well-informed and detailed self-evaluation
• Leaders have developed and started to implement an ambitious change programme, which identifies what needs to change and why
A series of significant weaknesses had also been identified. These were:
• Waiting times for ASD assessments, and the support for children and young
people awaiting assessment and following diagnosis of ASD.
• Relationships with parent/carers and communication and co-production at a
strategic level.
• Incorrect placement of some children and young people with EHC plans in
specialist settings, and mainstream school leaders’ understanding of why this
needs to be addressed.
• Uptake of staff training for school staff to help them understand and meet the
needs of children and young people with SEND.
• Quality of the online local offer
The committee was then updated on progress to date as follows:
• SEND and Inclusion Steering Group set up with partners from Education, Social Care and Health and Warwickshire Parent Carer Voice (WPCV)
• SEND & Inclusion Change Programme Board governance strengthened with CCG and WPCV representation
• Robust comms plan to ensure we engage with stakeholders in developing the WSoA, including a monthly newsletter and a programme of events
• Areas already in progress as part of the SEND & Inclusion Change Programme:
o establishing the new Parent Carer Forum (Warwickshire Parent Carer Voice) - April 2021
o refresh of local offer webpages, bringing together information about local services and support for families with children and young people ages 0 to 25 - October 2021
o introducing an inclusive framework in schools – trial of a new model of support to schools (in Rugby initially) to enable early intervention and improve outcomes – began October 2021
o workforce development to improve the knowledge, skills and understanding of school staff in meeting the needs of children and young people with SEND – began October 2021
Members were informed that the Written Statement of Action will be presented to Cabinet on 7 December. It was also noted that the framework of inspection is being reviewed. Any reinspection is likely to be under the revised framework.
Councillor Yousef Dahmash (Chair of the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee) thanked Duane and Rachel for their presentation and asked whether all schools are engaged with the initiatives being developed by the council. Duane Chappell responded that not all schools consider that they have the skills or the staff they would need. Some special schools are feeling vulnerable although this is not necessary. The objective is to ensure that children attend the correct educational setting. There will always be some that require the services of special schools. Some schools work hard to be inclusive whilst others choose not to be. In the future it will be necessary for all schools to embrace inclusivity.
Councillor Jo Barker sought clarification over the data used to establish demand for services. The committee was informed that this is not reliant on National Census data. In October of every year a school census is held locally. In addition, national data is gathered annually allowing for thorough comparisons to be made with statistical neighbours.
Concerning the panels, members were informed that whilst these comprise senior managers and school leaders anyone can attend to observe proceedings. An interesting aspect of this is the different approaches displayed by schools.
Councillor Marian Humphries asked about children living on the county boundary. In these instances, they may attend schools in neighbouring authority areas. However, the plan for that child will remain with Warwickshire.
Councillor Barbara Brown observed that placing children with special needs into mainstream schools is an expensive option. It is not cost neutral. Given that a new special school is being developed in the north of Warwickshire Councillor Barbara Brown asked whether there was still a need for it. In reply, the committee was informed that even with a model of inclusivity there will always be a need for some special provision away from the mainstream. In addition, the development of a facility in Warwickshire will reduce the need for children to travel out of county. Councillor Barbara Brown asked whether there were instances of schools holding on to children with special needs to the detriment of the education of other children in the school.
By way of response the committee was informed of the way in which schools are supported financially concerning their special needs provision. Funding comes from pupil weighting, the notional £6000 (notional as schools are not told how they must use it) and the High Needs Block. In some instances, it is not clear how schools are using the notional £6000.
Councillor Jerry Roodhouse (Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group) agreed that it is not good practice to send children out of county. He also concurred that some schools may use the notional £6000 for purposes other than that for which it is intended. The findings of the inspection were not a surprise he stated adding that it would be of interest to understand the impact of reductions in health visiting. Regarding co-production Councillor Jerry Roodhouse observed that this came take a long time to deliver. It needs to be driven from the top and not left to those at the bottom to press for it. Councillor Roodhouse also challenged whether the parent/Carer Voice is truly representative. A fully inclusive approach is required with the child at the centre.
Concerning health visitors Duane Chappell informed the committee that a child’s development begins during pregnancy. It is important that information on babies at that stage is relayed by health authorities to the council. Within 6 weeks of birth children’s needs can be identified. Duane Chappell offered to review health visiting budgets and service delivery and report back to Councillor Roodhouse. Duane Chappell also agreed that child-centred planning is required to capture the voice of the child. She agreed that co-production takes a long time adding that a major challenge is in identifying the capacity to develop it. There are concerns over data sharing. The health service remains wary about sharing data.
Councillor Penny-Anne O’Donnell agreed that obtaining the voice of the child is essential. It is important to get the message across that diagnosis is not required before an EHC plan can be developed. It was noted that the number of panels has been reduced. However, is there member support on these panels? Elected members want more training on special education needs. This should not just focus on high level demand. Councillor O’Donnell asked why some schools are unwilling to take children with special education needs.
On the subject of schools Duane Chappell informed members that peer to peer support is practiced by schools. SEND needs to engage with this so that all head teachers receive the support they require. Some needs do not present very often (eg multi-sensory deprivation) but when they do then it is essential that the right level of care is in place.
In response to a question from the Chair members were informed that the Pandemic had impacted on the robustness of data. Some children are entitled to support that they have not been accessing and in some instances simple issues are not being picked up early enough. Consideration needs to be given as to how to get staff to undertake assessments.
Resolved:
That the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee:
1. notes progress with the SEND and Inclusion Change programme, and
2. welcomes progress to date following the Local Area SEND inspection conducted by Ofsted in July 2021.