Agenda item

Officers presented the draft SEND Sufficiency Strategy, developed over several months with extensive analysis. Officers highlighted the challenges around data in recent years and the improvements made in monitoring. The goal was ensuring sufficient high-quality specialist provision in both mainstream and special settings. The strategy was underpinned by the local area SEND provision and aimed to create a continuum of support for every need at the right time and place.

Officers provided updates on the local context, noting a 37% increase in the number of EHCPs over the last four years, with a recent slowdown in year-on-year growth to 4.6%. Officers noted that the primary need was autism, which had doubled in recent years, along with an increase in social, emotional and mental health needs. There was a higher percentage of children with an EHCP attending special schools (34.4%) compared to the national average (32.1%), but there was a focus on developing specialist provision within mainstream settings.

Officers discussed ongoing development projects, including an application for a free school for 280 pupils and building work related to expansions and satellite provisions. Officers emphasised the importance of being responsive to the needs of the cohort and working with multi-academic trusts and architects to meet demand. There was a focus on promoting early intervention pathways and ensuring excellent education in local schools.

Members asked about the consultation process and the low number of responses received. Officers explained that the strategy was led by ambition group #3, which included representatives from special schools, SRPs, and mainstream settings. Officers noted that the low response rate was not surprising as the schools were already aware of the strategy and its goals through regular collaboration and sharing of census data.

Members asked about the long-term capacity needs and the number of SRPs and special schools required. Officers explained that the strategy was based on eight-year projections, considering the growth of children with SEND and the overall population. Officers noted the importance of early identification through the early years tracking panel and the need to develop secondary SRP provision to avoid bottlenecks. Continuous review and analysis of cohorts to anticipate needs and ensure sufficient places was important. Officers were confident in the current sufficiency of places. Ensuring feedback from young people was an important part of this.

Members suggested including forecast data on capacity and population projections in future updates of the strategy. Officers confirmed that projections were included in the SEND and AP Strategy and would continue to be reviewed and updated.

Members raised concerns about the lack of suitable SEND placements, resulting in some children remaining in unsuitable mainstream schools, and asked about the timetable to address this. Officers acknowledged the delays with developers and interim solutions while awaiting special school readiness which had led to some accepting only part of a cohort. Officers emphasised the importance of working closely with liaison meetings within the EHCP team and regular meetings with SENCOs to address any unsuitable placements. There was a commitment to supporting placements based on individual needs and parental preferences. There had been significant progress made since 2019, with 98% of school placements named at the point of phase transfer.

Members suggested including more detailed information about projections for special education capacity in the School Organisation Plan. Officers agreed and noted that the section on special education capacity had been updated with projections, particularly for secondary SRP provision. Officers agreed to this suggestion.

The Chair noted the recommendation to provide comments to Cabinet, which would be delegated.

RESOLVED: That the Committee:

1. Reviewed the draft SEND Sufficiency Strategy;

2. Noted the 13 responses from the consultation in response to the proposed strategy: and

3. Delegated comments for the Cabinet Member report to the Democratic Services officer in conjunction with the Chair, and in consultation with the Opposition Lead