Issue - meetings

Variations in insurance cover

Lynne Samuel, Senior Finance Specialist stated that she had spoken with the insurance specialist within the Council and had been advised on the context of schools insurance, she offered to share this information with schools.  There was a consultation with the Department of Education (DofE) which would indicate what the national picture was.  However, the comparison between primary, secondary and academy schools was not straight forward, it was not possible to compare like for like as the schemes were different.  She proposed to wait to see what the national picture was after the consultation and bring back more information to the Forum.

Schools Forum members were interested to know more about the reasons why some insurances were more expensive than others (maintained schools compared to academy schools) and asked that this item be brought back to the next meeting with the result of the consultation.

High Needs Block and SEN provision

Carol Cammiss, Director of Children’s Services stated that there were concerns over the provision of SEN services in the Borough.  The department was facing difficulties in recruiting the right staff to provide the service.  There were vacancies in the SEN team which consequently affected the delivery of services.

Ginny Rhodes expressed concern over the capacity issue and in particular the fact that schools did not have a named officer whom they could contact in the Local Authority.  Carol Cammiss advised that if schools had any specific issues they could contact Sal Thirlway, Assistant Director for Learning, Achievement and Partnerships directly.

Carol Cammiss stated that the service was moving towards a new structure in which officers would be linked to a particular school or to a number of named children.  She confirmed that there was political willingness to put in the resources that were needed to improve SEN services in the Borough.  The department was seeking to recruit more officers to the SEN team, however it was important to ensure that the right people were employed.

It was agreed that the Forum would receive an update report on High Needs Block, and SEN at the next meeting in March.

School Admission arrangements update

Carol Cammiss stated that the School Admissions internal structure was changing, with this service soon returning to be under Children’s Services.  It was recognised that some specialism had been lost as a result of the 21 Century programme and that the service was not operating at the right level.  This issue was being addressed and the Forum would receive an update report at the next meeting.