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Agenda item

Joint Local Area Inspection of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

11.00

 

A report on the outcome of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Joint Local Area Inspection, the Council’s actions in response to the key areas of weakness and the progress being made.

 

Education Scrutiny Committee is keeping oversight on the education focused aspects, this report includes the impact of the action plan on children's and adults social care.

 

The Committee is RECOMMENDED to consider the outcomes of Oxfordshire’s inspection and its responsibilities in relation to the joint area accountability for the delivery of the Written Statement of Action.

Minutes:

It was agreed that following the discussion of the report there will be a discussion about the proposal going to Cabinet for a consultation process on closing Northfield School.

 

Ms Johnson introduced the report which focused on how the local area is tackling areas of significant weakness identified in the inspection.

 

Officers responded to Members’ questions as follows:

·         The proportion of Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) completed within 20 weeks has improved from 32% at the time of the report to near 50%.

·         About 500 requests were received this year, though this is increasing.  It represents around 2.1% of children, which is in line with the national average.

·         The children presenting now for EHCPs have increasingly complex needs – mostly in relation to mental health.

·         The Cabinet Member with responsibility, Councillor Hibbert-Biles, has personally lobbied the Government for increased funding.

·         Case law has lowered the bar for getting an EHCP.  The refusal rate in Oxfordshire is below the national average.

·         If there were fewer EHCPs, more money could be spent helping schools deal with the issues in general which would in turn reduce the need for EHCPs.

·         It was agreed to circulate data on EHCPs and tribunal decisions relating to EHCP refusals.

·         EHCPs are reviewed every 12 months, though emergency reviews can also take place.

·         Home to School Transport is not part of the EHCP framework.

·         A small amount of extra funding - £1 million – was received from central government following a review of the formula but it is nowhere near enough to drive change.

·         Officers are looking at more efficient use of resources with high needs children.

·         A summary chart is produced every six weeks.  It was agreed to circulate this to Members of the Committee and the Chairman undertook to monitor it.

·         Membership of the main parent/carer group supporting co-production has declined.  It was agreed to consider how councillors could get involved and help reinvigorate the group.

 

RESOLVED: to note the report.

 

Councillor John Howson expressed concern about the proposal to consult on closing Northfield School.  He asked if Government funds allocated to prioritise spending on the schools which are in the worst condition could be used.

 

Ms Butler apologised for the speed with which this proposal had emerged but felt that the situation was now critical.  The main school site had to close due to asbestos and children are now accommodated in portacabins and at Hill End.  Staff are concerned that these alternative arrangements are not suitable and that the school site is not fit for purpose.

 

Members raised various issues and Ms Butler responded as follows:

·         There are currently 71 boys from all over Oxfordshire at the school with social, emotional and mental health needs.

·         It will be difficult to find alternative solutions for 71 children – it may be possible to include some in mainstream schools but some will need special care.

·         With the school population bulge now moving from primary to secondary level there may be opportunities to find solutions in primaries.

·         Officers will look at co-educational solutions but do not want to rule anything out at this stage.

·         The proposal goes to Cabinet on 4 June.  If the consultation goes ahead it will finish at the end of the school term with a paper going to the July Cabinet meeting.  There would be a further four weeks for representations which would take us to the September Cabinet meeting.  It would be implemented by the end of December.

·         If alternative solutions can be found for children in the meantime they will be taken.

·         The normal annual budget for the school is £1.5m.

 

AGREED:

 

The Committee is minded to support the consultation with the following recommendations -

·         The families involved must be consulted by July and all pupils’ EHCPs must be reviewed.

·         Alternative provisions must take account of what is best for each child and there should be a smooth transition to other forms of education.

·         It would be best to find alternatives within Oxfordshire.

·         The proposals must be tested against equality and inclusion.

·         Increasing the number of resource bases in mainstream schools should be considered.

 

Supporting documents: