Agenda item

The Panel will receive a presentation on this item from the Project Manager for Service Improvement.

The Project Manager, Service Improvement gave a presentation to the Panel on this item. A copy of it is available on the Panel’s Minute Book and online as an attachment to these minutes. A summary is set out below.

SEND Reform National Update

·  Final code of practice issued on 10^th June 2014

·  Draft transitional arrangements guidance issued on 10^th June – statements transfer to EHC plans over 3.5 years

·  Implementation grant & ‘new burdens’ grants to March 2016

·  Implement from not for 1^st Sept – Sept 2014 is a milestone or a beginning, not the end of implementation of the whole reform

Engagement

·  Multi-channel communication in place with a wide range of stakeholders

·  Parents involved in all workstreams

·  Work underway to engage young people

·  Briefings for parents in education settings summer and autumn 2014

SEND Support

·  Estimate 8000+ YP 0-25 with level of SEND

·  Work underway with schools/SENCOs and FE sector on SEND support in each phase

·  Independent support – B&NES Parent Partnership Service won ‘evidence & build’ bid to shape IS nationally

EHC Planning

·  700 – 800 YP with high needs SEN – currently statements of SEN – will be EHC plans

·  Model for delivery, EHC Plan template out for consultation (May 2014)

·  SEND lead practitioner role established (from August 2014)

·  New way of working takes more time – additional posts being recruited

Next Phase of Work

·  EHCP process goes live 1^st Sept – continue to refine

·  Transitional arrangements – draft transfer plan shortly – 700-800 transfer reviews over 3.5 years to April 2018

·  Establish partnership to keep local offer under review, work towards full co-production with parents & young people over 3-5 years

·  Develop personal budget offer over 2-3 years

·  Build whole system approach to SEND support

Challenges

·  Capacity – resourcing – currently to March 2016 – what then?

·  Ownership of SEND support – establishing whole system/school/setting approach with all partners

·  Personalisation – culture change – person centred thinking, outcome focus, holistic/integrated working

·  Ambition/aspiration – expectations often too low

·  Achieving true co-production with parents, young people

Councillor Liz Hardman asked if SEND was moving away from a school based setting.

The Project Manager, Service Improvement replied that Education, Health & Care Plans would now run until a young person was 25 years old. He said that the plan would not be solely focussed on education and would seek to prepare them for adulthood.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked how much control parents would have over the plan.

The Project Manager, Service Improvement replied that the plan would seek to empower both young people and their parents.

Councillor Nicholas Coombes asked if any outcomes could be learned from the pilot programme.

The Project Manager, Service Improvement replied that the main outcome from the work of the Pathfinder Authorities was to have created the templates for the Education, Health & Care Plans. He added that the local pilot had shown that parents welcome the more personal element of the process. He said that parents in the main had a realistic approach to services and were thankful for the opportunity to discuss the services with officers.

Councillor Nicholas Coombes asked what outcomes were expected to be seen in five years’ time.

The Project Manager, Service Improvement replied that a Quality Assurance Framework needed to be established alongside a relevant set of performance figures. He added that this could be shown through qualifications, employment or the ability to live independently.

Councillor Loraine Morgan-Brinkhurst asked how our percentage of pupils with SEND compared with other local authorities.

The Project Manager, Service Improvement replied that B&NES was where we would expect it to be with an authority of our size. He added the Council was recognised for its good work in this subject area.

Edward Joseph commented that he felt that if higher expectations were set then hopefully that would lead to higher outcomes. He added that the expectations must however not be unachievable.

The Project Manager, Service Improvement agreed that any targets set must be smart ones. He added that he had recently heard one young person with SEN say that they ‘Need to be sufficiently stretched’.

Councillor David Veale asked were the numbers of young people being identified with SEN likely to increase.

The Project Manager, Service Improvement replied that they were trying to understand the available data better and plan appropriately for the future.

Councillor Nicholas Coombes commented that he fully supported the reform.

The Chair commented that she too supported the reform and encouraged all Members to take part in discussions / working groups where possible.