Agenda item

(To receive a joint report from Mary Meredith, Children's Services Manager, Inclusion, Jonas Gibson, Commissioning & Development Manager and Kate Capel, Children's SEND Locality Manager, which provides the Schools' Forum with an update on the three strands of Lincolnshire's School Outreach Offer; The Behaviour Outreach Support Service (BOSS), the Autism and Learning Difficulties (ALD) Outreach Service and the Physical Disabilities (PD) Outreach Service

The Forum gave consideration to a report from Mary Meredith, Children's Services Manager, Inclusion, Jonas Gibson, Commissioning & Development Manager and Kate Capel, Children's SEND Locality Manager, which provided an update on the three strands of Lincolnshire's School Outreach Offer:

·         The Behaviour Outreach Support Service (BOSS);

·         The Autism and Learning Difficulties (ALD) Outreach Service; and

·         The Physical Disabilities (PD) Outreach Service.

The Forum was reminded that the overarching aim of the Outreach Services was to feed into a robust and integrated support offer for Children and Young People within the County to enabled schools to better support pupils within their own settings.

It was noted that the services also contributed to the creation of EHC Plans and the SEND assessment and tribunal processes.

The Forum received a short update against each of the three Outreach Services:

Behaviour Outreach Support Service (BOSS)

The Forum was advised that since September 2016, BOSS had worked with 727 pupils.  Table 1 on page 35 of the report identified the number of interventions carried out by BOSS.

It was also highlighted that since September 2017, 182 training sessions had been delivered in schools.

The Forum noted that permanent exclusion data had shown a general reduction in permanent exclusions since 2013/14.  Chart 1 on page 36 provided information relating to the number of permanent exclusions since 2013/14.

The report highlighted that BOSS had conducted their Year 1 Stakeholder Survey in July 2017; to which all Lincolnshire Schools had been invited to participate in.  It was noted that 75 responses had been received.  The Forum noted the feedback from schools, parent/carers and pupils had been very positive.  Some examples of Service User feedback were shown on page 39 of the report presented. 

Autism and Learning Difficulties Schools Outreach

The Forum was advised that the provider was the Working Together Team (WTT).  The Autism and Learning Difficulties Schools Outreach Service (ALD) had been commissioned to provide outreach support in schools for pupils with Autism, mild, moderate and severe learning difficulties and social communication challenges which had an impact on cognitive development and learning potential.

It was highlighted that the service was very much focussed on up-skilling schools with knowledge and confidence to create inclusive environments in which autistic pupils could thrive.  It was noted that the service also worked with stakeholders, including families and the wider community, to support pupils through key transitions in their school.

It was reported that the ALD training offer comprised of both Autism Education Trust models and bespoke sessions, deliver in school settings.

It was highlighted that the WTT had become a nationally recognised example of best practice in Autism support, having been re-accredited by the National Autistic Society. 

Table 2 on page 42 of the report provided details of the uptake of Autism Education Trust training.

The Forum noted that positive feedback about the service had been received which was detailed on page 42 of the report.

Physical Disabilities Schools Outreach

The Forum was advised that the provider was Lincoln St Francis School.

It was highlighted that the Physical Disabilities (PD) Outreach Service had been commissioned to provide outreach support in schools for pupils with profound and multiple disabilities, cognitive disabilities, life limiting conditions and sensory impact.  The Forum noted that the service primarily focused on delivering bespoke packages of intervention in the classroom.

It was reported that training, support and advice was made available to school staff.  It was highlighted that the service worked closely with classroom support staff in order to develop their confidence and skills in using the technology provided and learning how to best support pupils.

The Forum was advised that the uptake for this service had been high and Table 3 at the bottom of page 44 provided the Forum with the uptake figures for Year 2 and 3.  The Forum was advised further that the feedback from schools had been positive; and that the contract continued to run well with no service delivery issues having been raised by either stakeholders or the service area.

During a short discussion, members of the Forum raised the following points:-

·         The positive benefits of the Behaviour Outreach Support Service.  A suggestion was made for an accreditation for those schools that were doing it right.  Officers thought that was a good idea and agreed to look into the suggestion.  One frustration raised was the Healthy Minds Service was a different agency; and that the multiple agency working was not always working.  The Forum was advised that work was currently ongoing to iron out any issues; and

·         Some concern was expressed that the BOSS contract was only for a further year.  The Forum was advised that there was an option to extend for a further two years.  Reassurance was given that the service would not just stop; there would be conversations with schools and head teachers regarding the integrated approach moving forward.  Officers confirmed that the budget was available in 2018/19; and that this would be reviewed moving forward.  The Forum was advised that Lincolnshire was in receipt of High needs block protection funding to the end of the current funding settlement period (2019/20), which the LA was making representation to central government on securing this for the long-term to ensure such services could be maintained to support schools.

RESOLVED

            That the progress on the Schools Outreach Services Update be noted.