Decision details

The Chair welcomed David Graham, Head of Service for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), to the meeting. The report presented provided an opportunity to review the Short plan and the work completed on the Sufficiency and Suitability of Special Schools and Short Stay Schools in Lancashire.

The Department of Education (DfE) had conditionally allocated the county council funding to increase school places for people aged 0-25 with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan.

It was pointed out that the school population was rising. The number of children and young people with either a statement or Education, Health and Care Plan had also increased. The figure for Lancashire was significantly higher than the national average in terms of numbers and referrals. There was pressure on supporting school's funding for high needs. Two primary areas of need to focus on were children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health.

It was reported that populations within the special schools was high and more capacity was needed. In order to improve the capacity, capital funding needed to be improved to increase the numbers that could be taken and look at alternative buildings that could be used.

Members were informed that the increase in numbers of children requiring special needs in Lancashire reflected the national increase which could have been contributed to as a result of the awareness raising of children with mental health issues. These issues were looking to be addressed not only in SEND schools but also mainstream schools.

It was confirmed that the SEND team had completed the Suitability Audit, which had meant sending surveyors into all the specialist schools and short stay schools. The next phase was to consult with families and schools in order to understand what they wanted regarding the overall programme the Authority was required to do.

The committee was informed that the majority of specialist placements were within Lancashire.  There were very few commissioned placements outside of the county apart from visual impaired, hearing impaired and looked after placements.

Regarding proposals to meet needs, members were informed that in north Lancashire there was currently not a specialist school for children with Social Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) issues. Proposals were being formulated address this current provision gap.

The SEND team was working with Property Management and Facilities Management and was utilising buildings that had become vacant near to or adjacent to specialist schools. In terms of staffing, within the specialist teacher service, the team was looking at where it had people with the specialist training that was required.

The practice and policy of the SEND team was that it always looked at the nearest suitable school for children with SEN issues then it was the preference of the parents.

Resolved: That the report presented be noted.