Agenda item

(To receive a report from Sheridan Dodsworth (Children's Service Manager, Special Educational Needs and Disability), which provides the Schools' Forum with an annual update on Special Educational Needs as required by the Schools' Forum Regulations)

Consideration was given to a report from Sheridan Dodsworth (Children's Service Manager, Special Educational Needs and Disability), which provided the School's Forum with an annual update on Special Educational Needs as required by the Schools' Forum Regulations.  The three areas covered in the report included an update on activity within the County; an overview of the high needs costs throughout 2016/17; and an update on the SEND Strategy Review.

In the absence of the Children's Service Manager Special Educational Needs and Disability, Heather Sandy, (Chief Commissioning Officer for Learning) guided the Forum through the report and made reference to the following:-

·         The Forum noted that there was an increase nationally in January 2017 of pupils who had an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan or Statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN).  There had been an increase of 30,975 (12.1%) from January 2016;

·         In 2016 there had been 103,009 pupils on roll in Lincolnshire maintained and academy schools. Of this total 13.1% had been in receipt of some form of SEN support that was not a Statement or an EHC Plan, and was above the average of 11.6%;

·         For 2016/17 schools and academies had, through most of their formula factors a notional SEN funding allocation from which they were expected to contribute the first £6,000 towards a pupil who required SEN Support/Graduated Approach.  It was noted further that the higher level needs and targeted support provision remained outside of the notional SEN funding; and was funded through the high needs budget;

·         The number of pupils with statements of SEN or EHC Plans in Lincolnshire was above average at 3.3% of the school population.  Compared to 2.8% nationally.  Details of the breakdown was detailed at the bottom of page 23 of the report;

·         Details of High Needs Funding Analysis (Not including short-term medical provision) was detailed on pages 25 and 26 of the report presented, which identified the growth in top up and targeted funding in 2016/17;

·         It was reported that the current picture in Lincolnshire for 2015/16 was that the Special Educational Needs and Disability Service had received 723 requests for assessments, which had been an increase of 38% on 2014/15; and a 52% increase on 2013/14.  The Forum noted that in 2016 a decision had been made not to undertake a statutory assessment in 33% of cases referred, this figure was slightly higher than the England average of 30%.  The most common reason for refusal was as a result of the lack of evidence from a child's school of support and intervention strategies provided through a graduated approach of using resources and support services available through the notional funding.   It was noted further that for the same period five children in Lincolnshire had been assessed under S36 of the Children and Families Act 2014 and it had been decided not to issue an EHC Plan.  The Forum noted that the service had been challenged by parents, through the SEND Tribunal, for refusal to assess, from which it had become evident that the process was stacked in favour of parents.  The Tribunal process was costly and in Lincolnshire, as with many other authorities had increased.  It was highlighted that the SEND service had worked with parents and the Lincolnshire Parent Carer Forum to understand why parents felt that their child must have an EHC Plan.  The Forum was advised that in an attempt to increase parental confidence in the support offered at the graduated approach stage, the SEND Service had employed for a period of 18 months, a practitioner who was skilled in restorative practice.  It was noted that from September 2016 the practitioner had worked with 31 children, their families, schools and other professionals following a decision not to assess.  It was noted further that none of the 31 cases had progressed to formal mediation, or appeal to SEND Tribunal.  Over the course of the academic year the authority had experienced a reduction in the number of appeals to Tribunal, which it was believed was as a result of the investment in time with parents to increase their confidence in the wider SEN support system;

·         It was highlighted that the EHC Needs Assessment process was 20 weeks; and that the SEND service was consistently meeting the 20 week deadline in 90/95% of cases.  Cases that had fallen out of the 20 weeks were the most complex, and the Department for Education had acknowledged there would be exceptional cases that would require additional time to complete;

·         The Forum was advised that from 1 April 2018, all local authorities should have transferred all children and young people with Statements of SEN to the new SEN and disability system it they had met the criteria for an EHC Plan.  The Forum was advised that Lincolnshire had commissioned its Special Schools to undertake transfers for their students over a two year period; and that all other Statements had been transferred by Caseworkers within the authority.  It was confirmed that the SEND Service was confident that all transfers would be completed well before the DfE deadline;

·         It was reported that the number of places agreed for Lincolnshire special schools in 2017/18 was 1,742, which was an increase of 56 places from 2016/17 and that the special schools' funding had risen by £0.583m from the previous year to £25.777m, as a result of the increase in pupil numbers.  Officers advised that the local authority working with special schools had undertaken a cyclical review of a schools pupil banding, which was defined by the pupil's primary need; and that this work was to ensure a schools pupil banding was accurately applied.  The authority was also currently reviewing special schools funding formula, and that any changes were planned to take effect for 2018/19.  Clarification was given that special schools would be part of the working group in formulating any changes before schools were consulted upon such changes;

·         The Forum was advised that Lincolnshire had two hospital schools purchasing between 13 and 70 places during 2017/18.  It was noted that nationally there had been an increase in take up, as a result of severe anxiety levels, which had resulted in a budget increase of £0.574m in this area;

·         It was reported that 'Out of County' placements were only made when Lincolnshire Schools had stated that they were unable to meet the special educational needs of a particular learner.  It was noted that the number of placements had remained static over the last three years, but the cost of provision had risen significantly.  In addition to out of county placements there were currently 44 children and young people that were placed in independent schools in Lincolnshire.  It was noted that the nature of these placement were complex; and was an area that had seen significant growth in costs of £0.527m in 2016/17;

·         The LA through its detailed budget setting exercise of the Dedicated Schools Grant had managed to meet internally the high needs cost pressures reported in the paper; and

·         The Forum was reminded that a comprehensive review of special education needs provision in Lincolnshire was underway; and that a Special Schools' Project Board, chaired by the Director of Children's Services was leading on the work.  Page 30 of the report outlined some key issues; and the new strategic approach to SEND, based on four stages.  The Forum was advised that an options appraisal had been undertaken which would lead to the development of a SEND Strategy, which would be considered by the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee at their October 2017 meeting.  The re-modelling would ensure that children and young people with SEND get the right education, in the right place, at the right time, as close as possible to their home.

During consideration, members raised the following points:-

·         Impact of the notional funding of £6,000 on smaller schools; and clarity was sought with regard to additional support and funding.  It was agreed that an explanation of SEN would be included in the next bulletin to schools;

·         Reasons as to why SEN was more prevalent in boys.  It was confirmed that Lincolnshire replicated the national picture.  The Chief Commissioning Officer for Learning agreed to send an email round to Forum members providing the reasons as to why this was so;

·         The cost of 'Out of County Placements'.  It was noted that it was hoped reducing the placements would reduce the costs, as residential costs were very expensive.  A question was asked as to whether the out of county costs were inclusive of transport costs.  The Forum was advised that the costs did not include transport costs;

·         Parent's involvement in the process.  The Forum was advised that pilots were being tested in East Lindsey; and engagement had taken place with parents and, parent carer council.  The principle was for one interview to take place to ensure that the school could meet the needs of the child, or the young person.

The Forum welcomed the annual report and thanks were extended to the Children's Service Manager, Special Educational Needs and Disability for her comprehensive report.

RESOLVED

That the Annual Report on Special Educational Needs and Disability be noted.