Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Room One, County Offices, Newland, Lincoln LN1 1YL

Contact: Katrina Cope  Senior Democratic Services Officer

Items
No. Item

1.

Election of Chairman

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

That Mark Anderson be elected as the Chairman of the Lincolnshire Schools' Forum for 2017/18.

 

MARK ANDERSON IN THE CHAIR

2.

Election of Vice-Chairman

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

That Geraldine Willders be elected as the Vice-Chairman of the Lincolnshire Schools' Forum for 2017/18.

3.

Apologies for Absence/Replacement Members

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Marilyn Bell (Governor, The Fenland Federation), Nichola Shore (Head Teacher, Banovallum School, Horncastle), James Storr (Governor, The Deepings School) and Lea Mason (Executive Head Teacher, Lincolnshire Wolds Federation).

 

An apology for absence was also received from Ken Rustidge (Staff Trade Union).

4.

Declarations of Members' Interest

Minutes:

No declarations of members' interest were declared at this stage of the proceedings.

5.

Minutes of the Meeting of the Lincolnshire Schools' Forum held on 12 January 2017 pdf icon PDF 163 KB

Minutes:

It was agreed that a scrutiny committee paper on sufficiency of school places would be shared with members of the Forum.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the minutes of the meeting of the Lincolnshire Schools' Forum held on 12 January 2017, be agreed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

6.

Minutes of the Meeting of the Lincolnshire Schools' Forum Extraordinary Meeting held on 22 February 2017 pdf icon PDF 148 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

That the minutes of the extraordinary meeting of the Lincolnshire Schools' Forum held on 22 February 2017 be agreed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

7.

Annual Report on Special Educational Needs and Disability pdf icon PDF 168 KB

(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)

Minutes:

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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

Section 251 Budget Statement 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 59 KB

(To receive a report from Mark Popplewell (Head of Finance – Children's Services), which provides the Schools' Forum with a copy of the Section 251 budget statement for the 2017/18 financial year)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Forum gave consideration to a report from Mark Popplewell (Head of Finance – Children's Services), which provided the Schools Forum with a copy of the Section 251 budget statement for the 2017/18 financial year.

 

It was reported that Local Authorities were required under Section 251 of the Apprenticeship, Skills Children and Learning Act 2009 to prepare and submit an education and children's social care budget statement for the relevant period to the Secretary of State for Education by 31 March each year.  The Schools Forum was advised that information for 2017/18 had been submitted to the Department for Education via its data collection and management system for education (COLLECT) by 31 March 2017 deadline.  Appendix 1 to the report provided Local Authority Section 251 Table 1 data for 2017/18. The data provided an overall picture of the funding being allocated directly to schools, high needs and early years funding, central provisions within schools budget, and children and young people's services.

 

It was reported that the overall Dedicated Schools Grant funding was considered when the LA carried out its annual detailed budget setting exercise, which had in the past resulted in movements between the notional blocks to ensure affordability.

 

The Schools Forum was advised that following a review of historical commitments with in the central schools block in 2016/17, the Local Authority (LA) had been able to make significant savings to the Dedicated Schools Grant for 2017/18 of £4.274m.  These savings had allowed the LA to fund the high needs pressures reported within the Annual report on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.  An amount therefore of £4.274m had been moved from the central school block to the high needs block to help fund growth in special school pupil placements; the provision for schools pupil banding; a revision to the Pilgrim hospital schools funding; a revision to the pupil referral unit funding; and pupil placements made to out of county provisions.  It was also highlighted that the minimum funding guarantee released for those protected schools of up to minus 1.5% had released funding of £0.847m; the removal of a split-site factor for a school £0.341m; and the funding available from the schools block historical funding mechanism £0.438m had allowed the growth in top up and targeted funding devolved to mainstream schools to be fully funded based on the 2016/17 position.  This cost pressure had resulted in a movement of funding from the schools block to the high needs block of £1.626m.

 

It was highlighted that the movement between blocks were as a direct result of the decisions to respond to budget pressures as highlighted in previous reports to the Schools Forum.

 

Whilst considering Appendix 1 to the report, the Forum raised the following issues:-

 

·         The SEN timescale, and the impact on the next budget.  Officers confirmed that the Forum would be kept up to date in relation to any big spends and would receive updates on SEN and the impact of the strategy; and

·         A question was asked about how  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

The Annual Report 2016/17 for Early Years and Childcare Support (EYCC) pdf icon PDF 132 KB

(To receive a report from Michelle Andrews (Service Manager – Early Years and Childcare Support), which shares with the Schools' Forum the Local Authority's position in relation to meeting its statutory duties in relation to the Department for Education guidance for early years and childcare 2016/17 and provides an overview of Lincolnshire's priorities for 2017/18)

Minutes:

The Forum gave consideration to a report from Michelle Andrews (Service Manager – Early Years and Childcare Support), which provided the Local Authority's position in relation to meeting its statutory duties in relation to the Department for Education guidance for early years and childcare for 2016/17; and also provided an overview of Lincolnshire's priorities for 2017/18.

 

In the absence of the Service Manager – Early Years and Childcare Support, a joint verbal presentation of the report presented was received from Geraldine O'Neill (Lead Consultant Early Years Entitlement) and Viki Thomas (Lead Adviser for Early Years Improvement).

 

In guiding the Forum through the report, officers made reference to the following points:-

 

·         The greatest change within the sector during 2016 was the government's review of the Early Years National Funding Formula (EYNFF).  In December 2016, the outcome of the consultation was released.  Following this Lincolnshire had reviewed the local funding arrangements and this had been implemented with effect from April 2017;

·         Early Years and Childcare (EYCC) support was continuing to provide information, monitoring, challenge and training opportunities to all early years and childcare providers within Lincolnshire.  EYCC also continued to deliver Leadership and Management Briefings;

·         That 2 year old early education entitlement in Lincolnshire had increased to 78% with 2,348 children accessing a funded place.  It was reported that a joined up approach to outreach had been developed between EYCC, locality teams and partners to ensure the most effective methods were used to support families to access their child's entitlement;

·         It was reported that actual data from the spring term 2017 had shown the equivalent of 2,236 children in Private, Voluntary or Independent sector; and that an additional 418 children in schools qualified for EYPP.  It was highlighted that this was significantly higher than the government had predicted; and as a result of this basis, the Department for Education was committed to review the delivery mechanism for EYPP to ensure appropriate levels of funding were allocated to Local Authorities;

·         The Forum was advised that from April 2017, 3 and 4 year olds would be eligible for Disability Access Funding (DAF) if they met the eligibility criteria. It was highlighted that 66 children had qualified so far;

·         It was reported that the government was committed to doubling the amount of free childcare from 15 to 30 hours a week for working parents of three and four year olds, from September 2017.  It was highlighted that 97% of 3 and 4 year olds accessing Early Years Entitlement in Lincolnshire; approximately 40% were accessing more than 15 hours childcare per week.  It was highlighted further that there were 650 providers registered to deliver funded places in Lincolnshire.  The Forum noted that the impact of how the introduction of 30 hours might affect the market place when implemented was still unknown.  It was highlighted that early indications from childcare sufficiency assessment were that Lincolnshire was well placed to meet the demand for 30 hours;

·         Details of the Early Years Foundation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

New Emotional Wellbeing Service for Children and Young People pdf icon PDF 105 KB

(To receive a report from Sara Gregory (Commissioning Officer), which provides the Schools' Forum with an update on the commissioning arrangements for the new emotional wellbeing service; 'Healthy Minds Lincolnshire' and to receive an overview of the support that will be made available from the new service and the opportunity for Schools' Forum to comment on the Service Model)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Forum gave consideration to a report from Sara Gregory (Commissioning Officer), which provided an update on the commissioning arrangements for the new emotional wellbeing service; 'Healthy Minds Lincolnshire'; and received an overview of the support available from the new Service.

 

Appendix 1 to the report provided a summary of responses received in relation to the Emotional Wellbeing Service.

 

The Forum was reminded that on the 12 January 2017, the Forum had considered a report which had set out the Council's intention to commission a new emotional wellbeing service for children and young people in Lincolnshire.  The Healthy Minds Service would be offering direct support to children and young people and their families, experiencing emotional wellbeing concerns, where other services were not available to meet their needs.  The service would also provide the opportunity for training support to be provided to the school workforce to enable them to implement early school-based programmes to build resilience and provide guidance and support to school staff to enable them to become more confident in meeting the emotional wellbeing needs of pupils.

 

The Forum noted that a small working group which included representation from schools, the Council, public health, GPs and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) had been working together to help design the Service in more detail.  Engagement had also taken place with head teachers a summary of the feedback received was detailed in Appendix 1.  The Forum noted further that the Council was currently designing an online Emotional Wellbeing/Behaviour Pathway, which would provide a single point of access to services available locally to support emotional wellbeing and/or behaviour concerns and provide advice and guidance.

 

It was reported that the Service would be a Countywide service for all Lincolnshire children and young people up to the age of 19 (or up to 25 if they were identified as having special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) or are a care leaver).  The Service would comprise of two main elements of:-

 

·         Direct support to children and young people living in or going to school in Lincolnshire, and their parents/carers; and

·         Training for future teachers and childcare providers, Lincolnshire pre-school and school workforce, and other professionals working with Lincolnshire children and young people.

 

An overview of each of the Service delivery elements was shown on pages 55/56 of the report presented.

 

It was highlighted that the new service was due to commence on 1 October 2017 and that the Council was seeking to establish a partnership agreement with Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) via Section 75 of the NHS Act 2006, as a mechanism for securing the provision of the new service.

 

The additional investment of £1m through the High Needs budget of the Dedicated Schools Grant had resulted in additional resource being available to provide high-quality evidenced-based early support to Lincolnshire pupils, which would prevent an escalation of their needs to diagnosable mental health, to ensure that they achieve the best possible outcomes, in preparation for adult life.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.

Outreach Services Update pdf icon PDF 1 MB

(To receive a report from Mary Meredith (Children's Services Manager - Inclusion), which provides the Schools' Forum with an update on the Outreach Support Service)

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report from Mary Meredith (Children's Service Manager – Inclusion), which provided an update about the Outreach Services commissioned by Lincolnshire County Council on behalf of the Schools' Forum, which comprised of:-

 

·         Outreach for Physical Disabilities – provided by St. Francis Special School;

·         Outreach for Autism and Learning Difficulties – provided by the Working Together Team (Gosberton House, Spalding Schools Federation and Lincolnshire Wolds Federation); and

·         Challenging Behaviour Outreach Support Services – provided by family Action.

 

The Forum was provided with an update against each of the three Services.  In relation to the Lincolnshire Physical Disability Outreach Service, the Forum was advised that the service provided three qualified teachers with expertise in different areas; all had experience of working with the SEN providing educational, practical and specific advice on physical disabilities.  All of the team then liaised with other professionals involved with the pupil; and also signposted them to other services.

 

Overall, the service was well regarded and valued by Schools and pupils.  The Forum noted that the service had constantly been rated 'Good' and the risk rating had been assessed as low, with areas of outstanding practice.

 

In relation to the Autism and Learning Difficulties Outreach Service, the Forum noted that the Working Together Team (WTT) was providing educational support for school aged pupils with special educational needs.  It was highlighted that the service had been nominated for the Accreditation Excellence Award in recognition of a service operating at the very highest of levels.

 

It was reported that since September 2015, 349 Schools/Academies and 1,414 pupils had accessed support from WTT.  7,738 delegates had completed Tier 1 Training Autism Education Trust; 598 at Tier 2; with Tier 3 beginning to be rolled with 11 delegates attending so far.

 

Feedback received from mainstream schools had been very positive and the service had been identified as being an accessible source of practical and sensible advice.  The service since it had commenced had been constantly rated at being 'Good' and 'Outstanding.'

 

The Forum was advised that the Challenging Behaviour Outreach Support Service (BOSS) focussed on early intervention, prevention and support for schools and pupils experiencing behavioural difficulties.  The service was also aimed to support containing the growth of exclusions and high specialist placements.

 

The report highlighted that BOSS provided a bespoke service for all schools in Lincolnshire, strengthening the inclusive approach of schools and building capacity within school settings to manage the social and emotional needs of pupils at risk of exclusion.  Since September 2016, BOSS had worked with 332 cases, providing targeted support to manage the behaviour of individual pupils/students that might result in exclusion. 

 

Data shown on page 71 of the report advised that there had been a dramatic reduction in permanent exclusions from primary settings; whilst the number of exclusions in secondary setting had risen slightly.  It was also highlighted that the number of non-excluding secondary schools had increased significantly during 2016/17 academic year.

 

The Forum noted that the BOSS Restorative  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

12.

Team Around the Child (TAC) in Lincolnshire pdf icon PDF 52 KB

(To receive an annual report from Paula Whitehead, (Children's Services Manager - Team Around the Child), which provides the Schools' Forum with an update on Team Around the Child (TAC) in Lincolnshire)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report from Paula Whitehead (Children's Service Manager – Team Around the Child), which provided an update on Team Around the Child (TAC) in Lincolnshire, in the form of an annual report.  A copy of the Annual Report for 2016/17 for Team Around the Child in Lincolnshire was detailed at Appendix 1 to the report.

 

The Annual report provided information regarding TAC highlighted achievements and identified areas for development. 

 

It was noted that TAC was Lincolnshire's multi-agency methodology for the provision of co-ordinated support to children, young people and families within an Early Help arena. TAC supported children and young people between 0 – 19 years, unborn babies and could also be used with consent up to the age of 24, where a young person had a learning difficulty or a disability.

 

Page 82 of the report highlighted that over the last two years the volume of contacts that had been monitored had risen by 22%.  It was highlighted that as contacts could take several weeks to resolve, it was expected the number of Early Help Assessments and resolved cases to increase.  It was highlighted further that 26% of contacts with an outcome had resulted in an Early Help Assessment being completed.  Pages 83 to 89 provided the Forum with information relating to open TAC cases; which including sector information; age and cases referred to social care; TAC Closures 2016/17, Advice Support and Guidance.

 

Lead professional's comments expressing how beneficial the service was were detailed on page 87/88 and 90 of the report.

 

The report also provided an update on priorities from the last annual report overall, the feedback received from schools and lead professionals had been positive, but there was still more than could be done.  A list of priorities for the coming year was shown on page 94 of the report, which highlighted the areas for further improvement, which included:-

 

·         Continue the development of Signs of Safety and relationship-based practice;

·         Identify and promote best practice with regard to children's and families' journeys through services and safeguarding;

·         Increase the provision of Quality Assurance visits; and use these to identify and act upon good practice, and areas for development;

·         Continue to develop and improve TAC website, Handbook and other written online resources;

·         Support the Health Sector to increase and improve the quality of their participation within TAC; and

·         Increase the use of family support networks.

 

During a short discussion, Officers confirmed TAC brought all support to the child together, including emotional support.  Some concern was expressed regarding transition, this was acknowledged by officers.  It was also highlighted that further work needed to be done regarding step-down, it was confirmed that the work stream 'Partners in Practice' would help improve this further.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the annual report on Team Around the Child in Lincolnshire be noted.

13.

Academies Update pdf icon PDF 71 KB

(To receive a report from John O'Connor (Children's Services Manager – Education Support), which provides the Schools' Forum with information on the latest number of academies, and pupils in academies)

Minutes:

The Forum received a report from John O'Connor (Children's Services Manager – Education Support), which provided information on the latest number of academies and pupils in academies.

 

The Head of Finance, Children's Services presented the report and advised the Forum of the position as at the 1 June 2017.  The Forum noted that since the last report there had been no further academy conversions.  The total number of academies therefore remained at 144; 39.8% of the total, and the number of pupils educated in academies was 64,944 FTE of the total.

 

The Forum noted that at the time of writing the report there were eight schools currently targeted to convert to academy status within the next six months.  Four of the conversions were special schools; and the remaining four were primary schools.  Page 97 of the report provided the Forum with a projected six month status of all Lincolnshire Schools.

 

It was highlighted that the conversion of Sutterton Fourfields Church of England School and Swineshead St Mary's Church of England Primary School had been postponed.

 

The report also highlighted that two of the conversions were sponsored conversions of secondary schools.  The Louth Monks' Dyke Tennyson College would be joining Tollbar Academy Trust and Cherry Willingham Community School would be joining The Priory Federation of Academies.

 

RESOLVED

 

            That the Academies Update report be noted.

14.

Lincolnshire Schools' Forum - Work Programme pdf icon PDF 45 KB

(This item provides the Schools' Forum with an opportunity to discuss potential items for future meetings for inclusion in the Work Programme)

Minutes:

Members of the Forum were invited to consider the work programme presented.

 

The Forum was advised that future meetings dates would be included as an item on the October agenda.

 

RESOLVED

 

            That the Work Programme presented be noted.

 

 
 
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