Agenda item

(To receive a report from Eileen McMorrow, Senior Project Officer Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Review, which invites the Committee to consider a report on Building Communities of Specialist Provision for Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in Lincolnshire, which is due to be considered by the Executive on 5 December 2017)

Consideration was given to a report from Eileen McMorrow, Senior Project Officer Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Review, which asked the Committee to consider the strategic vision of SEND provisions as detailed in the Building Communities of Specialist Provision Strategy information detailed in the Executive report attached at Appendix 1.

The Committee was advised that Lincolnshire had 20 special schools for pupils with SEND, and that all special schools were delivering Good or Outstanding education according to the current Ofsted ratings.  In 2015/16 the Council had commissioned some research by the ISOS Partnership which had identified the need to reshape SEND provision to meet the needs of the increasing population of pupils requiring placement in special school settings.  The research had also highlighted a need for more collaborative working between special and mainstream schools.  The combination of the research and changes to national policy development from the Department for Education (DfE), the Council had identified the need to review its current provision and create a new strategy to reshape the special school system in Lincolnshire.

It was highlighted to the Committee that the high demand for special school places had put significant capacity pressures on many of Lincolnshire special schools.  It was highlighted further that the current education system had special schools operating within clearly defined designations, and as a result many pupils had to travel for significant periods of time and distance in order to access a special school place which could meet their individual needs.

In response to the identified local challenges and national directives, Lincolnshire had recognised the need to work more collaboratively to address the main issues impacting on special school provision.  The Building Communities of Specialist Provision Strategy proposed to develop an integrated system of special education for pupils with SEND, to meet their education and health care needs as close to their home as possible.  This would be achieved as a result of significant capital investment being made to special schools to enhance their provision to meet most of the needs and designations of disability, and to create increased capacity to meet growing demand. 

The Committee was advised that the proposed model had been agreed with all special school Head Teachers and the Lincolnshire Parent Carer Forum and fully met the strategic vision for SEND provision. If agreed the proposals would then be subject to wider consultation.  The results of the consultation would then be presented to a future meeting of Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee and finally to the Executive (or the Executive Councillor) for a decision on whether to proceed with the strategy and the proposed special school changes.

It was highlighted that comments raised from the meeting would be reported to the Executive for their consideration at the meeting due to be held on 5 December 2017.

During discussion, the Committee raised the following issues:-

·         How the proposal would be funded – The Committee was advised that the purpose of the report was for the Committee to consider the strategic vision for SEND provision and to support the engagement in public consultation.  It was then proposed to bring a further report back to the Committee following the consultation.  This report would provide the Committee with details of the financial costs.  It was reported that the proposals would cost in the region of £40m.  The Committee was advised that there was a grant of £2m from the Department for Education (DfE) for Local Authorities to refresh their SEND provision.  The remainder of the £38m would be met as a result of the increasing number of places, and grant use from the basic needs funds;  historic money for conditions for special schools from 2012; and money from the DfE for Free Schools.  The Committee was advised that the best estimate was that at the moment, there would be a shortfall of approximately £5m. It was highlighted that officers would consider with schools how to bridge any gaps.  The Committee noted that the strategy was for a 3/5 year project; and that there was an element of risk, but it was felt that the end result would be worth it for the improvements gained for pupils of Lincolnshire with SEND.  Some concern was expressed as to whether free schools would adhere to the proposed strategy.  It was highlighted that ideally a free school application would be through an existing Lincolnshire academy who had signed up to the strategy.  It was reported that a new special school to meet demand was likely to be based in Lincoln;

·         Satellite Units – The Committee was advised that the new satellite units would be accessible from each locality, on mainstream school sites both primary and secondary.  These would be managed by local special schools and would offer transition support for SEND pupils accessing curriculum areas in mainstream or requiring additional support from special schools whilst accessing their school place in mainstream.  Clarification was given that if a school was in special measures, the satellite unit would not be affected as it was the responsibility of the local special school;

·         Future Proofing – The Committee welcomed the level of positive involvement from special schools and their head teachers in the development of the proposals.  It was felt that proposed provision in the future needed to be secured should circumstances in special schools change.  Reassurance was given that if a special school in the future indicated that it could not meet the needs of a pupil in its area, this would be a matter for the local authority and other special schools.  It was felt that this would in effect mean that the school would be influenced by the 'peer pressure' of other special schools, but officers noted the positive commitment demonstrated by Head teachers and Governors/Trustees to date;

·         British Sign Language – The Committee was advised that the strategy would continue with commissioned provision in response to need;

·         Education Health and Care Plans – A question was asked as to whether there was any issues relating to the completion of EHCPs.  The Committee was advised that a national report had concluded that some mainstream schools were struggling in relation to supporting pupils with SEND, with particular reference being made to autism.  The Committee noted that there had been a 50% increase in the number of assessments conducted and an increase of 33% in the number of EHCPs.  The Committee was assured that Lincolnshire was meeting its statutory timescale despite the increase in demand and that the strategy looked to increase the number of places by 10%.  It was highlighted that it was hoped that ultimately, in mainstream schools parents would have the confidence that the schools were meeting the needs of the young person without the need for a EHCP;  

·         Lincolnshire County Council Commissioned special school places (bottom of page 40 of the report). A question was asked as to why places for St Christopher's, Lincoln were decreasing for 18/19.  The Committee was advised that St Christopher's was over capacity by 80/90 pupils and therefore work was being done to reduce the numbers;

·         Plans in place to assist in transition.  The Committee noted that transition to the new provision was being considered very carefully with Head Teachers and special school Head Teachers who were best placed in helping with the upskilling of the work force's development. Reassurance was given that packages would be in place before transition.  Further reassurance was given that there would be good communication with parents and that the implementation would be done gradually;

·         Some concern was expressed regarding the risk of some schools taking systematic advantage of the opportunities on offer as a result of the proposals.  Officers advised that they were aware of the risks and reassured the Committee of the role of the local authority in meeting its statutory obligations, specifically in meeting the needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities;

·         The positive effect the strategy would have on reducing the time spent by the young people traveling to a special school that would be able to meet their individual needs; and

·         Gosberton House – Some concern was raised as to whether the excellent provision for autism received at Gosberton House would be affected by the strategy.  Officers advised that the outstanding work done at Gosberton House was recognised and steps were being taken to use the knowledge and skills of the Head Teacher to lead on autism, to ensure that the level of provision received at Gosberton House was extended across the county.

Overall, the Committee extended its support to the recommendations set out on pages 19 – 20 of the Executive report presented at Appendix 1; and requested that the Executive take into consideration the comments raised by the Committee as detailed below.

The Chairman extended thanks on behalf of the Committee to officers for a very informative report.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee strongly supports the three recommendations as detailed on pages 19/20 of the Executive report presented at Appendix 1.

2.    That the Executive be requested to consider the following comments made by the Committee before making their decision:-

·         Future Proofing – The Committee welcomed the level of positive involvement of special schools and their head teachers in the development of the proposals.  The Committee reflected on how to secure the proposed provision in the future when the particular circumstances of special schools and head teachers might change.  The Committee was assured that if a special school were in the future to indicate that it could not meet the needs of an individual pupil in its area, this would be a matter for the local authority, but would also be a matter for the special schools.  This would in effect mean the school would be influenced by the 'peer pressure' of other special schools.

·         Meeting Statutory Obligations – The Committee is aware of the role of the local authority in meeting its statutory obligations, specifically in meeting the needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.  The Committee has highlighted there is a risk that some schools might be seeking to take systematic advantage of the opportunities on offer as a result of the proposals.  The Committee acknowledges that any gains for each school would be ultimately for the benefit of the pupils.

·         Communication with Parents – The Committee has stressed the importance of communicating with parents during the implementation of the proposals.  The Committee was assured that the implementation of the proposals would be gradual.