Issue - meetings

To consider the update on the HNB and SEND Innovation and Improvement Programme.

Daniel Robinson provided an update on the High Needs Block, and the SEND Innovation and Improvement Programme.

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

·       The Forum was advised that the presentation detailed the work that would be undertaken to try and bring the local authority and area to a break-even position regarding income via the High Needs Block, by 2025/26.  It also detailed the improved performance and outcomes linked to SEND.

·       Daniel Robinson outlined the current position. 

·       Officers had projected that the areas with the highest spend were Social Emotional and Mental Health, Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Severe Learning Disabilities and Speech Language and Communication Needs.  Daniel Robinson highlighted the growth in expenditures, for the different areas, should no changes be made to processes.

·       Approximately 2,300 Education, Health and Care Plans were anticipated by 2025.

·       Daniel Robinson highlighted projected funding against spend up to 2025.  Without mitigation, total spending was projected to be around £57million against funding of £30million, which would take to a current cumulative deficit of £11million to a cumulative deficit of £45million.

·       Work had been divided into three workstreams:

i)                 Systems (in house)

Ø  Panel decisions and paperwork – processes had been in place since April and were working well.

Ø  Complex Case Forum – the forum which made decisions on the out of Borough placements had been in place for the last four decisions and was working well.  It provided a clear audit trail as to why decisions were made.

Ø  SEND – staffing structure had now been defined and permanent staff were being appointed.

Ø  Learning Achievement Partnership – work was being undertaken on the delivery of this and the support of EHCPs.

Ø  Recruitment – it was hoped by summer that at least 75% of the SEN team would be permanent.  The Forum was advised that those interim staff that had been in place for several months would remain during the recruitment of permanent staff to allow a handover.

Ø  Local Offer – the Council was undertaking a strategic review of the local directory including the local offer.  The ability for families to get support and where to access this, was under consideration.

Ø  SEND transport – the SEND transport service had been recommissioned for the year.

·       Inclusion (collaboration):

Ø  Ordinarily available (Schools) – Officers had undertaken 10 visits with Headteachers and SENCOs. 

Ø  Ordinarily available (health) – several meetings had been held with health colleagues.  Daniel Robinson was of the view that the ordinarily available offer from health was current insufficient to support what the Borough needed.  It was not entirely clear what services were available under an EHCP.  Work was being undertaken with health to make this clearer and more robust.

Ø  Element 2 link - £8.8million of this was allocated to schools.  Wokingham was one of the worst funded local authorities with regards to Element 2. 

Ø  Outreach – a fully serviced outreach service was vital.

Ø  SENCOs and Preparing for Adulthood training – the Innovation and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18