Agenda item

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

The Forum received a comprehensive annual update report from Sheridan Dodsworth, Children's Services Manager, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) as required by the Schools' Forum Regulations.  The report covered: An update on SEND activity both nationally and within the county; An overview of the high needs costs illustrating increasing pressures on the High Needs Budget; An update on the transformation work that was taking place in Lincolnshire; An overview of the capital programme for Special Schools; and A brief update on activity to support families during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The report noted that the high needs budget was undoubtedly under significant pressure but there was a continued commitment to ensure that the financial resources available were being effectively deployed to realise improved outcomes for children and young people with additional needs.  Whilst Lincolnshire remained above the national average in terms of the numbers of children identified with special educational needs and disabilities, there were early signs of a change in practice that moved away from a reliance on statutory plans but built on the inclusive practice that many Lincolnshire schools adopt.  The Forum noted that there was further work to be done to embed a strengths-basedapproach to working with pupils with SEND, and their families, but the early indications suggested that the transformation programme could make the difference to ensure that Lincolnshire met the needs of pupils and balanced the budget also.

During discussion, the Forum raised the following points:

·       It was noted that the differentiation in SEN data between Local Maintained Schools and Academy Trusts would be helpful in future reports.  It was confirmed that the process and funding were the same for these bodies.

·       There was concern about whether the existing high needs budget was sufficient and whether there was a need for a review to determine whether it could be increased.  It was thought that more than the 0.5% transfer permitted from the Schools block to the High Needs block would be required. In response it was reported that high needs funding was a challenge nationwide.  The Forum was advised government SEND reviews were awaited which would address the SEN framework and overall SEN funding.  Locally the County Council was doing everything it could to keep within current funding, but with its many variables and uncertainty of future funding levels, the financial position would continue to be kept under review, and options and recommendations would come from that.

(Tony Warnock gave his apologies and left the meeting at this point)

·       It was noted that there were deficits in many local authorities and that the County Council was in a better position than most.  It was reported that collaboration between the Council and schools was vital to achieve a sustainable budget.  Any extra funding over the 0.5% would require approval of the Secretary of State. 

Martin Kyle read out a letter from a group of Lincoln City Maintained and Academy School Headteachers who represented 14 schools and in the care of 4,896 Lincoln City pupils.  The letter had been addressed to Martin Smith Assistant Director Lincolnshire County Council, Suzanne Scott Chair of LLPB and the Chair of Lincolnshire School Forum.  The letter highlighted how several Lincoln City schools seemed to have been adversely affected by a large reduction in their school budgets to support children with additional needs through the local Targeted Funding criteria.

The letter requested that:

'1) No school in the City of Lincoln should lose more than the average school in Lincolnshire which was -£6,386 when a year-on-year comparison was made (of course adjusting for any change in the number of EHCs accordingly).

2) Future consideration be given to an assumption that deprived areas, by default, serve higher numbers of EHC pupils when this is in no way reflected in the application process or success rate of EHC applications.

3) Future surveys or votes on new funding systems clearly show the result and impact to all schools in Lincolnshire at the point of voting. We feel this would further support members in their considerations of the impact decisions can make on a locality.

4) The impact of these decisions are discussed in the next appropriate Lincolnshire Schools Forum and Lincolnshire Learning Partnership Board meeting with a view to consider all possible solutions to address this funding shortfall.'

(During the reading out of the letter it was reported that the 'live streaming' of the meeting had ceased and therefore the Chairman adjourned the meeting for one minute until streaming could be resumed)

(Martin Shelton (College Principal, Linkage Community Trust) joined the meeting at this point).

In response to the content of the letter discussion took place on the following points:

·       It would have been helpful for the Forum to have has sight of the letter prior to the meeting due to its length and number of points made.  It would be difficult to therefore to consider an in depth view or have an informed debate at the meeting.

·       It was noted by the Chairman that other areas of Lincolnshire were also affected not just Lincoln City and that the issue should be looked at from a wider perspective.  There needed to be a fair and equitable system across the County.

·       As part of the LA schools funding consultation on the National Funding Formula indicative figures had been included which demonstrated the financial impact at an individual school level on the proposed changes that included Targeted Funding.  The principle of using notional SEN when assessing whether schools would be entitled to Targeted Funding was supported by the sector and aligned to the National Funding Formula.

·       Not all Local Authorities provided Targeted Funding support to schools with high number of pupils with SEN.  The Committee was advised that Lincolnshire was fully supportive of the inclusive approach, and was proud to have a Targeted Funding arrangement.

·       The national funding for formula had brought in significant increases in funding for Lincolnshire schools which was important to recognise when reflecting on Targeted Funding.  This was because of the direct link between schools delegated budgets in determining 'notional SEN' and Lincolnshire's local Targeted Funding approach.  It was highlighted that the original Targeted thresholds had been in place since 2015/16 (pre-National Funding Formula) and the criteria and threshold levels had remained unchanged, and therefore required updating to reflect schools pupil-led funding delivering fairness in the distribution of funding, and the effective deployment of the Dedicated Schools Grant.  It was no longer sustainable in its current form.

·       It was noted that the LA funding formulas involving the mainstream schools treated them all the same through objective, transparent and equitable criteria's.

·       The Forum was advised that schools with higher levels of pupil deprivation would receive a higher level of pupil-led funding through the National Funding Formula to support those pupils, which would involve supporting notional SEN.

·       A response from schools finance should be shared with the Forum.

·       The County Council had avoided overspending and transferring money from other blocks of funding.  It was highlighted that if the Council had not implemented the new policy and the trajectory of spend had continued even more challenging decisions would have been required in terms of transferring funding from the Schools block and re-considering support services to schools, which were highly valued by the sector.

·       A sector working group would be set up by the Council in the autumn to discuss the 2022/23 National Funding Formula updates and those SEN issues in preparation of future years funding intentions.

The following points on the report were also raised:

·       There was a need for assistance in helping Forum members, teachers, governors and parents to better understand current funding and finance and consequences and pressures and challenges arising from the current position. Particular the reference was made to parental perceptions; EHC plans demands, the approach to SEN, high needs budgets. It was thought that information could be included in the Head Teacher Briefings as a starting point.

RESOLVED

1)      That the report and comments made above be noted.

2)      That the letter and response as mentioned above be circulated to the Forum for further consideration.