Decision details

Sarah Callaghan, Director of Education and Skills presented information setting out the actions being taken to enable the county council to fulfil its responsibilities for ensuring the sufficiency of provision for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities over the next five years. It was reported that the actions detailed in the report was consistent with the principles agreed by Cabinet in August 2019. A copy of the presentation is attached to the minutes.

In relation to the provision of SEND units attached to mainstream schools, Members' raised concerns about the condition of some of the existing school buildings. Members were informed that schools received a set of criteria as part of the expression of interest process which would help to establish whether the school was fit for purpose.

Members' were advised that the submissions deadline for applications was 20 March 2020 and responses back to the schools chosen was 3 April 2020. Information on the schools chosen would be shared with members at a later date.

Members' expressed concerns about the readiness of staff and ensuring that they have the necessary training and qualifications needed. It was noted that the training being provided for staff was constantly under review to establish the impact and the uptake of the training.

Commenting on the report, Members requested further information on the proposed schools locality network which was aiming to bring education and children services teams together. It was noted that to date, there had been 30 proposed locality networks, and aims for these networks to be established by September 2020. In terms of models being used elsewhere, members were informed about a paper produced by the Isos Partnership from the Local Government Association which is looking at other models, including case studies. A copy of this paper would be circulated around members of the committee.

Resolved: That;

  i.  The feedback on the information presented in the report be noted;

  ii.  Information on the schools chosen for attached units be shared with the committee at a later date; and

  iii.  The paper produced by the Isos Partnership from the Local Government Association be circulated around the committee.