Agenda item

Officers introduced the update on the Dedicated Schools Grant, noting that this was a good news story.

The DSG was aligned to the SEND & Alternative Provision Strategy 2023-28, which was the driving force for change around the SEND improvement programme.

The High Needs Block finished the 2024/25 financial year with an in-year overspend of £14m, a significant improvement from the 2023/24 in-year deficit of £28.7m.

This had been achieved without cutting support, and instead achieved through improving services, improving outcomes and being more financially efficient.

Members commended officers for their work.

Members asked about the revised banding model, and its implications on funding. Officers noted that the previous system was no longer fit for purpose and the new model had started from scratch. The previous system combined mainstream and special schools into one, and there were occasions where children in special schools were being given less funding than children in mainstream schools. The biggest focus was about having a clear, fair, transparent funding system that meant that children's needs were met with that funding appropriately. This had been independently led and co-produced by schools. It would also allow a clear profile of children’s needs. It was also noted that Hillingdon was aligned to neighbouring authorities, which allowed for the same kind of support for young people if they move.

Members asked about any savings made with mainstream schools and officers noted that not all children had transferred to the new system yet. This was aimed to be completed by the end of the financial year. However, officers were sharing with schools the data as plans were transitioned across to the new system.

Members asked about comparisons to other London Boroughs regarding the DSG budget position. Officers noted that there was less mention of Hillingdon in articles around the high needs deficit. There were some authorities that had seen large increases to their deficit, whilst Hillingdon had halved its in-year deficit. Officers had been focusing on early intervention and giving the right support at the right time, and improving outcomes for young people.

Members commended officers for their work in reducing the in-year deficit.

It was noted that as the financial year was different to the academic year, some savings impacted multiple years.

Officers had also completed a review of the early support funding in addition to the banding review to ensure a consistent approach.

Officers highlighted Aim High – a new forum for children and young people with SEND, which will help to shape Council services.

The DSG safety valve plan had been implemented into the SEND & AP Strategy.

Members asked for an update on the safety valve programme and what would come next. It was noted new local authorities were no longer being accepted onto the safety valve programme. There were likely to be SEND reforms in autumn time and so it was not clear at this stage.

Members noted that funding received from the DfE had been higher than expected, and asked how much higher it had been. Officers noted that while it had been slightly higher than expected, it was not as high as required to meet needs.

Members asked if there were still some schools with high numbers of children with SEND. Inclusion was an important topic for officers and was regularly discussed with schools. Officers had reshaped support to schools that were not as inclusive to ensure the support was effective and meeting needs. Officer highlighted the PINS project and collaboration with the Centre for ADHD and Autism in secondary schools. Data was shared with schools around SEN support and EHCPs. The levels of EHCPs in mainstream schools had consistently increased term on term over the last two years. Officers also looked to consult with the nearest mainstream school where appropriate, as well as those schools chosen by parents.

There was not currently a Hillingdon definition of inclusion and officers were working on an inclusion framework for all pupils, and would be working with schools on this.

Members asked about adding a further update on inclusion to the work programme. Officers noted that there were yearly updates scheduled on related topics such as the SEND & AP Strategy and Education Strategy, and so there were multiple opportunities to update the Committee on this.

Members suggested adding a third resolution to note the hard work of officers and the leadership of the Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education on this topic.

RESOLVED: That the Committee:

1. Noted the current improved DSG High Needs Block financial status;

2. Noted the DfE recognition of the SEND progress achieved; and

3. Noted the hard work of officers and the leadership of the Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education on this topic