Agenda item

Cabinet considered a report that set out the background to how SEND (High Needs) top-up funding currently operates for Early Years settings and mainstream Primary and Secondary schools in Oxfordshire and how, with Cabinet's approval, a transfer of unallocated Dedicated School Grant funds agreed by School Forum will help support an increase in top-up funding to better meet the needs of children in these schools and settings. This will be a one-year top-up increase and will not be available in subsequent years.

Cabinet also had before them the comments from the Education Scrutiny Committee held on 9 September 2020.

John Riches, Chair Oxfordshire Association of Special School Headteachers spoke to try and ensure that any decisions made by Cabinet do not bias future decisions on special school funding. i.e. that the one-off increases for mainstream schools are approved based on moving funds from the Early Years and Schools Block of the Designated Schools Grant to the High Needs Block, then budget restrictions are cited in relation to any increase in special school top-up funding. This principle is important in relation to point 17. of the report presented ‘There are no Equalities Implications in this report’.

Mr Riches detailed efforts made by Special School Head Teachers to raise the Insufficiency of Special School Funding and detailed the context, impacts and continuing urgent need for an increase in funding levels. Mr Riches urged Cabinet members to ensure that any decision made today did not bias any future decision on special school funding and to also be aware that in the near future there will be a request for a significant increase in per pupil funding for special schools and academies in Oxfordshire.

Councillor Emma Turnbull, Shadow Cabinet Member for Education, highlighted the increase in pupils being placed in specialist provision and the increased expenses associated with that. The rigidity of the High Needs Block was a difficulty in this context of rising need and budgetary pressures, and she stated there was a need for new powers as a strategic commissioner of SEND support. Short term transfers to maintained schools was not a sustainable solution. She urged pressing for those powers as well as the necessary short-term financial support from central government.

Councillor Turnbull stated that as well as the national position the report identified the need for a strategic review of SEND funding in Oxfordshire. Although expressing disappointment that this was not the strategic document, she asked that during the process officers engage maintained and special schools and parents, carers and young people themselves and encourage health partners to contribute their fair share. It was important to focus on the long term aims of promoting inclusion, supporting the vital work on quality and timeliness of EHCPs and expanding SEND provision around the County.

 Councillor Lorraine Lindsay-Gale, Cabinet Member for Education and Cultural Services thanked both speakers for their contributions. Sadly, she agreed that it was a national problem with the sector being underfunded. She gave a reassurance that the strategic paper was on its way.

Councillor Lindsay-Gale introduced the report and moved the recommendations.

RESOLVED:                          to:

(a)        Note a one-off increase in top-up funding for Early Years settings for 2020/21 funded through the High Needs Block (HNB) of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). The increase will only be available in the year 2020-2021 and top-up funding is then likely to revert to previous levels;

(b)        Note a one-off increase in top-up funding for mainstream Primary schools for 2020/21 funded through the High Needs Block of the Dedicated Schools Grant. The increase will only be available in the year 2020-2021 and top-up funding is then likely to revert to previous levels;

(c)        Approve a one-off increase in top-up funding for mainstream Secondary schools for 2020/21 funded through the High Needs Block of the Dedicated Schools Grant in those cases where the formulaic approach is insufficient for schools to meet the needs of the child. This is a change to the current funding formula. This decision would not reduce the amount of top-up funding a Secondary school currently receives. The increase will only be available in the year 2020-2021 and top-up funding is then likely to revert to previous levels.