Issue - meetings

To receive and consider a report containing an update on the 2022/23 High Needs Block.

Sal Thirlway, Assistant Director for Learning and Partnerships presented the 2022/23 High Needs Block update and made the following points:

·           A £4.4 million shortfall in the HNB was being projected, this represented an increase of £1.1 million on what was previously reported.  It was a challenging situation, with a continual increase in the number of EHCPs in the borough;

·           The SEND Innovation and Improvement Programme (IIP) continued to deliver its programme, seeking to find solutions to the challenges faced in relation to the growing cost pressures on the HNB and the increase in demand;

·           Progress had already been made, but there was recognition of the fact that more work was needed;

·           A large piece of work had been undertaken, reviewing the resource spaces within the borough and future demand;

·           The process of application for two new special schools in the borough was already under way;

·           Conversations with the DfE were taking place to try and find solutions to tackle the HNB deficit.

Sal Thirlway confirmed that there was a digit missing for the total EHCPs on the last column on page 32, it should read 1651.  There was also a column missing for August 2022 which should read 1672.

In response to a question Lynn Samuel explained that the £1.7 million deficit projection was based on the assumption of an additional 30 EHCPs per month.

Sal Thirlway explained that the chart on page 36 illustrated the different types of support and placements that could be offered, depending on the level of SEND needs.  This was part of the resource ‘spaces’ review.  It was recognised that some children, given the right level of support, could be educated within mainstream schools within the borough.

RESOLVED That the 2022/23 High Needs Block update and associated SEND IIP activity be noted.