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 Improvement Programme was undertaking a lot of work in this area.

Ø  Transitions Group – clear pathways with Preparing for Adulthood were being identified.

·       IIP - provision development – Daniel Robinson indicated that he had presented to Members and Senior Officers regarding the work undertaken with Finance.  In terms of the financial implications of Independent, Out Of Borough placements, consideration needed to be given to increasing provision within the Borough.

Ø  Addington Special School – an initial approach had been made to request two additional sites to increase capacity and reach.  Daniel Robinson indicated that he was working with various teams on what the scope of that project would be.

Ø  Request for two additional sites for special schools with a focus on social and emotional mental health needs and behaviour.

Ø  Outreach – clarity and investment – Addington and Foundry.

Ø  Oak Tree – the delay of this site was discussed.  Easter 2023 was currently the anticipated open date.

Ø  Health Support – work was being undertaken with the Clinical Commissioning Group, Royal Berkshire Foundation Trust, Berkshire Healthcare Trust and Children and Young People’s Integrated Therapy, about what services they could provide.  It was hoped that health provision could be increased.

Ø  Education Psychology service – there was a national shortage of Educational Psychologists.  The service was stretched which impacted on what could and could not be delivered.

·       Four new small special schools would help to reduce the number of out of Borough placements.

·       It was hoped that work with colleagues such as health, increased inclusion and other factors could reduce the projected number of EHCP’s by 2025.

·       With all the mitigations in place the spending could potentially be £31million by 2025, giving an in-year deficit of £1.8million.

·       Daniel Robinson referred to a possible increase in the charges for children from Outside Of the Borough coming into the borough.

·       The Chairman asked about the level of capital investment required should four new schools be planned for.  Daniel Robinson indicated that Members requested that he report back after 10 weeks after he had met with the Estates and Planning teams to help firm this up.  He was of the opinion that it would outweigh the implications should no action be taken.  He would keep updating as matters progressed.

·       Members were advised that the strategy for building schools did not currently incorporate special schools.

·       The scope and size of the new special schools would not be huge, and they would be spread around the geographic area if possible.

·       Lynne Samuel commented that High Needs Block capital funding was received annually but that it would not be at the level required to meet the investment needs discussed.  In terms of engagement with the Education Skills and Funding Agency regarding the deficit management plan, the Council would be able to demonstrate the potential impact that additional capital investment would make in terms of being able to balance revenue to resources in the longer term.

·       With regards to the resource spaces, Daniel Robinson commented that it was important that the information provided was up to date.  The Chairman commented that not knowing what the Service Level Agreements were could have an impact on schools’ budget planning.  He asked whether the Service Level Agreement values would not change in terms of the budget planning for 2022/23 and was informed that they would not.

·       Ginny Rhodes emphasised that it was helpful to understand that the income of the resource spaces would not change immediately.

·       The Chairman commented that a third of the High Needs Block was going towards Independent and Non-Maintained Schools and the planned work did not address this area.  Daniel Robinson advised that conversations were being held with Directors around the country to discuss this matter.

·       In response to a question from Shirley Austin regarding the calculation of the deficit, Daniel Robinson advised that it had included factors such as the cost per placement for Independent and Non-Maintained placements, resource spaces and the amount of top up replaced in Mainstream placements, and also Out of Borough Mainstream placements.

RESOLVED:  That the update on the SEND IIP and associated programme actions be noted.