Agenda item

Progress on the Implementation of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Strategy

Joint Report of Director of Transformation and Partnerships and Corporate Director of Children and Young People’s Services

 

Presentation by Linda Bailey, Strategic Manager Progression and Learning and Paul Shadforth, Strategic Manager Special Educational Needs and Disability and Inclusion

 

Presentation on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Self Evaluation Framework by Paul Shadforth, Strategic Manager Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

Minutes:

The Committee received a joint report of the Director of Transformation and Partnerships and the Corporate Director of Children and Adults Services that provided an update on progress on the Implementation of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Strategy (for copy see file of Minutes).

 

The Strategic Manager for Special Educational Needs and Inclusion gave a presentation about SEND (special educational needs and/ or disabilities) that highlighted the following (for copy see file of Minutes):-

 

·         The Vision – every opportunity for children & young people to take control and achieve their potential

·         Strategy Priorities – co-production, person centred approach & outcome focussed

·         Strategy

o   Participation

o   Promotion and Prevention

o   Personalisation

o   Preparing Adulthood

·         County Durham Deprivation

 

In response to a question from Councillor Hart about funding, he was advised that £1.3m had been ringfenced for County Durham.  Parent and individuals would be consulted with before any decisions were made.

 

Councillor Hart further asked about the performance levels and if they were realistic for SEND children and what impact this had upon mental health.  The Strategic Manager explained that there were different levels of need and that the aim was for each child to achieve to their highest potential.  The mental support was aligned to the strategy and would be linked up.

 

The Strategic Manager advised that they did work with schools and academies further to a question from Councillor Hart.  The Head of Education added that one academy had opted out but was part of a trust with Sunderland, and therefore there was not a lot of contact or influence with this school.

 

Councillor Hart went on to ask if the demand was falling for County Durham and was advised that the service were seeing a change in need rather than seeing an increase in the demand. There was an increase in living longer and a higher level of more complex needs.  The Head of Education added that there had been an increase in children with autism but that schools were very good at meeting the needs of children.

 

Councillor Armstrong asked how this would be rolled out to school governors and was advised that there was a SEND representative on every school governing panel and that there was a framework in place.  Referring to the joint Ofsted and Care Quality Commission inspection the Strategic Manager advised that they would get five days’ notice but assured Members that they were prepared and ready for inspection.

 

The Chairman asked that should this occur the Committee should be made aware so that they could keep an oversight.

 

The Strategic Manager for Special Educational Needs and Inclusion gave a second presentation about the Children, Young People and Families Plan

that highlighted the following (for copy see file of Minutes):-

 

·         The Vision – ambitions for all children & young people in County Durham

·         Objectives – children and young people realise and maximise their potential, make healthy choices and have the best start in life, a think family approach in embedded in our support for families

·         SEND Strategy

·         Governance Arrangements

·         Making Changes Together - Parent Carer Forum – helping to shape provision

·         eXtreme – Children and Young People Forum – helping to shape provision

·         SEN population – Education Health Care Plans, EHC Plan Process, Early Years, KS2 & KS4, further education, employment and training

·         What you will find through each key age phase and transition

 

Councillor Nicholls asked what percentage of parents were involved and was advised that every parent was involved in the process.  The Strategic Manager added that the membership of the Parent Forum was 100+ and the steering group ran events with approximately 300 parents in attendance.  He said that it was a very engaging process with parents having access to twitter, facebook and the local offer.

 

Councillor Smith suggested that on the last slide it should read ‘to achieve their aspirations’ as it would read better.  The Strategic Manager thanked Councillor Smith for her comment and this would be changed.  The Head of Education added that this was the first draft that was being shared with Scrutiny and that it was helpful to receive feedback.

 

The Chairman thanked the Strategic Manager for his presentations.

 

Resolved:

That the report and presentations be received and noted.

Supporting documents: