Agenda item

(To receive a report from Sheridan Dodsworth, Head of Service 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)

The Executive Director of Children's Services presented the Schools Forum with an annual update on Special Educational Needs, as required by the Schools Forum Regulations.

It was reported that the Council had 3,300 pupils with Statements of Special Educational Needs.  Higher Needs Level Statement provision (above 15 hours additional 1:1 weekly support and not including learners who attended Special Schools) had increased during the last 3 years from 794 higher needs statements at January 2011, to 828 in January 2014.

The number of new Statements had decreased (229 in 2013, to 311 in 2012) with schools meeting their pupils' special educational needs without the need for a Statement.  It was highlighted that when schools did request a statutory assessment of SEN, they frequently reported that the needs of their pupils was becoming more complex.

The number of 'cease to maintain' statements (That is when the schools and other professionals advise the LA that the statement was no longer required) had remained relatively stable at approximately 17 cases a year.

With regard to the Notional SEN funding, it was reported that schools/academies for the 2014/15 financial year 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 requires SEN/Additional support.  It was noted that the higher level needs (top up funding) and targeted support provision currently remained outside of the notional SEN funding.  The Forum was advised that any possible changes to SEN funding from April 2015 would be presented to the next meeting of the Schools Forum.

The Forum were also advised that Part 3 of the Children and Families Act, sought to streamline the system of SEN assessment, support and provision for children and young people 0-25, bring together the provision of a variety of Acts covering education, health and care as well as introducing new provisions.  Details of the SEN reforms set out in the Act were detailed sat the bottom of page 39, top of page 40 of the report presented.

It was reported that the implementation of the SEN reforms in Lincolnshire was being managed through a Corporate Project Board.  The central Government's expectations was that by 1 September 2014, the SEN local offer and arrangements for statutory assessments and Educational Health Care planning would be taking place for all new applicants.  Existing SEN Statements and post 16 Learning Difficulties Assessments would be transferred to the new system over period of up to 2 years for Statements and 1 year for Learning Difficulties Assessments.  It was noted that a restructure of the services would be carried out to meet the requirements of the SEND reforms.

Issues raised from the Forum, included:

·         The number of student special educational needs.  The Forum were advised that 75% of requests ended up being a statement;

·         Clarification with regard to Education and Health Care Plans.  The Forum noted that to have an Education and health Plan, there had to be an educational need; and

·         The portability of the notional SEN funding.  The Forum was advised that the top up from the LA would transfer.

RESOLVED

1.    That the report be noted.

2.    That any changes to the notional SEN funding be presented to a future meeting of the School Forum.