Issue - meetings

Council notes it’s been 12 months since Ofsted SEND report which resulted in identification of widespread and/or systemic failings leading to significant concerns.

Council notes the undue stress and costs for families to take cases of education needs for SEND children to tribunal.

People Scrutiny in October 2023, heard that no tribunal would be sanctioned without a director’s approval, yet the number of parents appealing to SEND tribunal is at a record high.

Council recognises that tribunals often put families through extreme financial and mental strain, and that working together in a trauma-informed, restorative and truly co-produced way, will help this county’s young people achieve better outcomes.

Council notes that the appointment of a SEND cabinet member has been ineffective on improving the county wide provision and the role should be reviewed urgently by the leader of this council.

Council recognises that unmet need is a combination of lack of provision and the previous government’s “mainstream” agenda.

Council asks the Cabinet to

1. work towards better decisions actioned early on in cases so that families don’t need the tribunal service to redress the unlawful practice.
2. form a rapid task force to work with officers to investigate tribunal case numbers and seek to develop a better solution between this council and SEND families in Oxfordshire.
3. explore the expansion of EOTAS and alternative provision for neurodivergent children unable to attend school, especially whilst the SEND provision undergoes enhancements and service growth in the county.

Note: The motion, if passed, would constitute the exercise of an executive function in which case it will be referred to the Cabinet together with any advice the Council may wish to give, in accordance with Rule 13.5.1 (i) of the Council Procedure Rules in the Constitution. 

The time being close to 3.30 pm, this Motion was considered dropped in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 5.2.