Agenda item

The Chair introduced the report which set out a number of proposals that sought to improve outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) via reforms to the SEND system.

The Chair invited Edmund Boggis, Department for Education to present to the board. Edmund explained that the consultation had been extended to the 22 July 2022. As of 27 May they had completed 71 events with 65 left to go, to supplement the main e-consultation. There was also on-going work in preparation of the consultation and a delivery plan they had committed to publishing. The School’s Bill was currently working its way to the House of Lords. Whilst they did not lead on this, they would be getting involved due to changes in the wider education system particularly around academy standards and intervention. Additionally, they were involved with the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care due to the impact on wider delivery and systems. In response to the publication, the government had set out actions taken in an oral statement and the Department for Education (DfE) were committed to publishing a detailed implementation strategy later this year.

Following the discussion, the following comments were made:

·       Members highlighted that there needed to be a significant cultural change where parents, carers and family members of children with additional needs felt their needs were being met, without having to go through the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) route. Ed responded that the cultural change and greater confidence needed to give to parents and providers that they can support children with additional needs without the recourse of EHCP was their ambition. 

·       Members raised that there were huge issues around funding and the funding formulae. The current system was not viable in schools with high levels of SEND and in particular, small schools in rural areas. As well as Ofsted/CQC SEND area

inspections which were proposed to come into effect from 2023 with no further funding. Ed replied that they understood the issues around funding and would take note of this issue back to DfE.

·       Members commented that as a series of measures were coming forward, would these incentivise schools to be more inclusive and hold partners to account with their duty to cooperate. Ed answered that from a DfE perspective they were looking at inclusivity a lot more across the department, which was a shift in thinking and that they would look into incentives.

·       Members highlighted that identifying children with educational needs cost schools £6,000 which pushed incentivising schools in the wrong direction for early identification.

·       The Schools Bill worked against the SEND green paper objectives as it pushed for full academisation and continuing competitiveness, which was conflicting. The Chair added that SEND green paper, The Schools Bill and Care Review were not speaking to the holistic view of children and young people. Each were being treated as sperate pieces when in fact they were linked.

Direction:

Members of the Board noted the update.

Actions:

·       Officers to take forward Member’s comments in our response to the proposals set out in the SEND Green paper.

·       Members are encouraged to share their council’s responses to the Green paper with officers to ensure the LGA’s response actively reflects the views of member councils.