Agenda item

This report provides the Panel with an overview of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) in B&NES.

Councillor Paul May introduced this item to the Panel and stated that the increase in demand for Education, Health & Care Plans over recent years had grown so much. He added that he did feel that they were now turning the corner and making progress in the time taken to carry out assessments and the increase in issued plans.

The Chair asked if it could be explained what has been done so far to enable these initial improvements to have occurred.

The Head of SEND replied that the number of SEND practitioners had been increased to be able to analyse requests for an assessment. She added that there is also now a robust improvement plan in place, looking at six key areas to improve, alongside ongoing changes to our systems to benefit the public and officers.

She said that the turnover of SENCOs within schools was high and that where possible these roles need to be retained.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked why 24% of assessment requests were denied.

The Head of SEND replied that the applications are put before a multi-agency panel to establish whether (i) the child has SEND and (ii) whether their needs are above the level of what the school can normally provide. She added that they need to see a robust record of the offer of what the school has done.

She said that if provision can be achieved from school resources that should occur without an EHCP.

Councillor Hardman asked if since the budget discussions, had there been any changes to the numbers of children (204) with complex needs who were in receipt of out of county provision.

The Head of SEND replied that far too many young people still do travel out of area for provision and that they were putting in place Resource Spaces within mainstream schools to assist with keeping pupils connected with their local community.

She added that they were working with the DfE to move forward with new SEND, AP and residential provision. She said that discussions will take place with schools as to whether their Planned Admission Number (PAN) can be increased, and they were also working collaboratively with other Local Authorities in terms of placements.

Kevin Burnett asked what support is offered if a needs assessment is turned down.

The Head of SEND replied that Senior Inclusion Officers would offer to hold a ‘way forward meeting’ with the parents / carers and the school to establish what can be done for the child in question. She added that the SEND / AP Advice Service will also play a key role in this process.

Kevin Burnett asked if the SEND / AP Advice Service replaces what has been removed in terms of support services to schools.

The Head of SEND replied that it did not and that its role was to signpost what services are available and be a place for where schools can go to find support.

Kevin Burnett asked if there was enough provision in place to support the current numbers of young people with behavioural needs and social, emotional and mental health needs.

The Head of SEND replied that within B&NES Autism was our highest need area, although social, emotional and mental health needs were increasing. She said that they were doing the best they can with the resources that they have.

The Director of Education & Safeguarding added that they were taking steps to put in place a broader and stronger offer, but stressed that budgets are an issue for all concerned. He added that not all MATs were in a position to make the same offers and that this was something they are looking to try to address. He said that targeted provision was also due to be carried out.

Kevin Burnett asked if there were enough resources in place to attempt to reduce the numbers of EHCPs.

The Director of Education & Safeguarding replied that it was very difficult to fill certain vacancies, especially Educational Psychologists and Speech and Language Therapists. He added that he was optimistic that this could improve following recent appointments within the Council.

Councillor Ruth Malloy referred to section 3.3 of the report and asked how many staff were in the Behaviour Support Team.

The Head of SEND replied that there was one member of staff within this team currently and they were hoping to increase this to two and this would provide enough capacity to meet the current demand.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson asked what the average age was for someone to be diagnosed with Autism, how we diagnose the condition within B&NES and how we compare with national figures in this area.

The Head of SEND replied that she did not have that information to hand and would consult with colleagues to provide a response to the Panel.

The Panel RESOLVED to;

(i)  Note the national, regional and local picture regarding the increase in applications for Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments (EHCPNA) and the increase in issued plans as detailed in the attached slides.

(ii)  Be assured that Local Authority Officers continue to work strategically with social care, health, schools and other partners in order to work within statutory guidelines and support schools in delivering the very best outcomes for our children and young people.