Issue - meetings

To receive and consider a report giving details of the Educational Psychology Service in the Borough.

The Committee received the Educational Psychology Service report which had been produced by Elaine Munro, Principal Educational Psychologist. 

Elaine Munro stated that this was a small service which supported Wokingham Borough Council in meeting its statutory duties in relation the identification, assessment and support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).  The service also supported schools in the Borough.  She informed that there had been an increase in demand for the service, with SEND now covering 0-25 year olds.   

During the discussion of the item the following points were made:

·           Councillor Bray asked for more information in relation to the provision of mental health services;

·           Elaine Munro stated that the Berkshire West Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) intended to make a bid to become a Trailblazer for the Mental Health Teams proposed in the green paper, the outcome would be known in October.  The proposal included setting up mental health teams in schools, with a psychologist lead in each team to cover low to medium level mental health issues;

·           In response to a question Elaine Munro stated that the figure of £326,000 on page 35 included the total workforce;

·           Councillor Bray stated that only 15 schools had replied to the survey to gain feedback, she asked if all schools had been consulted.  Elaine Munro stated that all schools had been consulted.

Members of the Committee thanked Elaine Munro for her report and hoped that the bid would be successful.

RESOLVED That the report be noted.