Agenda item

(To Follow)

The Head of 0-25 SEN presented the report which outlined the Department for Education (DfE) guidance requirements as well as the Councils recovery plan which was underpinned by the Council’s SEND Strategy.

In formulating the plan, consideration was given to various aspects which included the following:

·         Refection on future direction of travel of the SEND Strategy

·         How needs of pupils would be met

·         Challenges experienced in mainstream provision with consideration given to the upcoming changes in framework and inclusion

·         Risks associated with aspects of the plan

·         The need for increased and effective local provision

A Member queried the level of involvement of the Schools Forum in the plans, officers responded that the papers were presented for comment and present at the meeting were Link Advisors that were representatives of Special Schools on the panel. The Forum agreed and approve the pathway presented.

A Member said that a policy driver for the SEND Strategy was increased delivery of education for children to occur within the borough and this was a positive approach. It was however noted that there was an increasing number of children with Special Education Needs (SEN) in schools with limited resources in place to support and meet their needs. Officers recognised that there was an issue with resourcing and that this was an issue that was faced nationally. The SEND strategy was developed to create a system of change through the key principles of putting in place provision for more children to be educated in mainstream schools by increasing capacity and capabilities of schools to meet needs. The challenge was for all partners to work together to improve outcomes, families to be clear on the local offer and for the council to deliver on those offers.

The Sub-Committee was informed that the aspiration was for mainstream schools to be able to meet the needs of children with SEN, some schools were at present able to do this better than others. Work was being done with three schools to explore how effective this could be and Inclusion funding was being used in this pilot.

Officers further explained that the success of the Strategy would lie in partners, schools and families working together. SENCO’s had been considering ways that different schools could work together by exploring different pathways and solutions where that might be cost effective.

A Member commented that it would have been beneficial for the report to include the data on population growth and the correlation of rise in children and young people with SEN as stated in the report for 2015-2019 would be included.

A Member raised a question of the amount of SEN children in mainstream education and the progress made with the integration. Officer said that the focus was on children that needed SEN support, specifically those without an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) and supporting them by ensuring that the appropriate needs-based support was in place.

It was challenged that in terms of risk factors, there may be instances where the integration of a child or children into a new provision in the borough may break down and the child may need to continue in the placement outside of the borough. Officer agreed that all placements had an element of associated risk and extensive work was carried out to ensure that skilled staff were in place, support was provided at all times by Link Advisors and that schools were clear on the Councils expectations. Members’ were informed that Croydon special schools were all classified as good or outstanding and that was a reflection of the Local Authority’s (LA) partnership.

Officers were thanked for their responses to questions.

Information request by the Sub-Committee

·         Briefing on Inclusion Funding

·         Drivers and Demographics of SEND children in population growth 2015-2019.

·         The recovery plan for the high needs block will go to a DfE committee. The Council will receive feedback in September. The Committee requested that they be informed as to the result.

The Sub-Committee came to the following Conclusions:

·         This was a challenging situation which was being addressed comprehensively by officers and the Council

·         Further understanding of Inclusion funding would be beneficial

Progress of the plan would be sought with the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Learning   after submission of the Plan and feedback received from the DfE