Agenda item

(To receive a report from Eileen McMorrow, Programme Manager, Special Schools Strategy, which provides the Forum with an update on the implementation of the Building Communities of Specialist Provision Strategy)

The Chairman invited Eileen McMorrow, Programme Manager, Special Schools Strategy, and Dave Pennington, Head of Property Development, to present the report, which provided the Forum with an update on the implementation of the Building Communities of Specialist Provision Strategy.

It was reported that on the 6 November 2018, the Executive had granted approval to implement the Building Communities of Special Provision Strategy. It was noted that the strategy had commenced in January 2019, and would be implemented over a five year period up to September 2024.  The Forum noted further that once fully implemented, the strategy would make significant changes to the existing special education provision, by creating an integrated and sustainable school system where pupils would be able to attend their nearest school and be confident that their health and educational needs would be met. It was highlighted that the projected cost of the programme had risen to £86.794m, and the reasons for the increased costs were explained, namely schemes presented particular challenges due to their existing school conditions; further developments of the schools external grounds and improvements to traffic and transport areas.  The Forum noted that the programme had secured additional funding through revised grant allocations and the Council agreeing to fund the £15.600m funding gap left predominately by the authority's unsuccessful free school application in the Lincoln City area.

Appendix A to the report provided the Capital Build Programme Timeline, including details of pre-construction and construction completion dates.  The Forum received a brief update on each of the projects, details of which was shown on pages 19 to 21 of the report.

A copy of the Special School Reorganisation policy was appended at Appendix B to the report, which had been developed by the Local Authority in collaboration with the SEND Alliance Project Board and key advisors from the sector, to provide a formalised approach to the revenue funding of special school reorganisations in supporting the Local Authority's statutory duty to provide sufficient school places. It was highlighted that the policy had been approved and had already been applied to Boston Endeavour Academy, The Willoughby Academy, Bourne and Eresby School, Spilsby.

The Forum was advised that funding had been earmarked to support the implementation of the strategy in special schools to provide all needs education to pupils with SEND in their local communities.  It was highlighted that that a £2.000m commitment from Dedicated Schools Grant reserves had been approved by the Forum in October 2018.  This commitment would fund the revenue fixtures and fittings for the new 60 classroom spaces and other new building spaces through the SEND capital programme, such as sensory and soft play rooms, medical intervention spaces and specialist teaching facilities.  It was also noted that a further commitment of £0.143m had been agreed to support workforce development for the sector, which would be rolled out to mainstream schools.  The remaining funding and High Needs block funding would support the implementation of the planned growth costs of increased special school places in accordance with the policy, during this growth period.

It was reported that a model of delivery had been approved, with the development of Specialist Community Led Panels for each locality to meet the needs of children and young people requiring a special school place at the right time as close to home as possible.  Paragraph 4.1.3 provided details as to how the panels would seek to identify a local special school place.

The Forum noted that the health workstream had successfully developed robust partnership working across the Local Authority, Health Trusts and the Clinical Commissioning Group, to ensure an effective health offered will be offered to all special schools.

It was reported that to ensure the most effective use of specialist medical and therapy equipment, all special schools had joined the Lincolnshire Community Equipment Services contractual arrangement held by the Local Authority.

The Forum was advised that the workforce development work stream had designed the concept of a SEND Learning Platform; a sector-led approach to professional development, which would ensure that all pupils with SEND would be able to access a quality education facilitated by skilled and knowledgeable staff.  The forum noted that the Platform had been approved by Directorate Leadership Team; and by the SEND Alliance Project Board.  It was noted that the Local Authority was currently developing the commissioning and contractual arrangements for the learning platform.

In conclusion, the Forum was advised that despite some challenges, the strategy had made significant progress across all aspects of the programme, including securing an additional £15.600m of Council capital funding to fulfil the programme.

Paragraph 6.1 to 6.15 provided the Forum with information relating to the risks and impact of the programme.

During discussion, the Forum raised the following points:

·       Whether the funding allocated would cover the cost of the strategy.  The Forum was advised that the £86m allocated would cover the cost of the scheme.  Confirmation was also given that there had been increased costs across all projects and that all projects were on target and on budget;

·       One member suggested that future progress reports should contain more information as to costs of each individual projects;

·       Some concern was raised as to whether provision of the 500 extra places would be sufficient to meet demand.  The Forum was advised that a five year projection had been modelled, which had included an extra 10% flexibility.  Also, the Forum noted that there would be transformation across the whole system, i.e. providing enhanced support to mainstream schools.  Reassurance was given that the 500 places would be sufficient;

·       If consideration had been given to the growth in post 16 numbers.  Reassurance was given to the Forum that this was being considered;

·       Where the investment of £69.724m had been accessed from.  The Forum was advised that this had been secured from a number of government capital grant allocations, which would provide for all special schools in the programme to access improved capital solutions and enhanced facilities.  It was also highlighted that in addition, the Full Council in February 2021 had agreed to fund £15.600m through the Council's capital programme to address the funding gap left after the authority's free schools application to create an additional 111 places in the Lincoln City area had been unsuccessful;

·       How equity of places and affordability was being managed.  The Forum noted that there had been challenges, as not all the schools were starting from the same position. However, the implementation of the capital build had continued, despite these issues and Covid-19, to ensure each special school had a consistent offer for the children and young people of Lincolnshire.  Thanks were extended to  the hard work of the  Programme Manager, Special Schools Strategy and the Head of Property Development and their teams for their commitment and collaborative working ensuring the implementation of the strategy to help young people in the county attend their nearest school, knowing that their health and educational needs would be met; and

·       Confirmation was given that demand would be led by Lincolnshire pupils.

The Chairman on behalf of the Forum extended his thanks to everyone involved in the strategy. 

RESOLVED

That the report concerning the Programme Update – Building Communities of Specialist Provision: Together in Lincolnshire be noted.