Agenda item

The report presented stated that in December 2018, the Children's Services Scrutiny Committee published a task and finish group report on Supporting Pupils at Special Schools with Medical Conditions.

In accordance with agreed protocols, the Cabinet Members for 'Children, Young People and Schools' and 'Health and Wellbeing' along with the relevant NHS bodies had been asked to provide a response to the task and finish group's report.

Members of the committee were invited to ask questions to the officers in attendance on any of the responses received to the task and finish group report.

In terms of Recommendation 1, from the review it was identified that special schools did provide and commission themselves to meet the health needs of their populations. A number of surveys had been undertaken to find out what these schools provided for themselves in addition to what the Integrated Care System (ICS) and Lancashire County Council provided. The surveys had gone out to special schools, health providers and commissioners. They had now been completed and collected and would be reviewed in March. Once reviewed, the findings from the survey would be presented in September and new models would be tested with special schools. The collated data from the surveys would be made available to members of the task and finish group.

Regarding Recommendation 2 and the Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), members enquired what reassurances there were for head teachers that there would be a commitment from health. The SEND partnership had given a commitment to review advice from all providers. Health providers were invited to the EHCP planning and review meetings but attendance was a challenge.

In terms of Recommendation 3, members were informed that the work done by the Designated Clinical Officers on a process to review assessment tools and ensure consistency across the areas, was still in its early stages. The information had not yet been shared with CCGs and schools.

The committee was informed that regarding Recommendation 7, the CCGs were working with Public Health Commissioners to ensure all relevant health professionals received the appropriate training to work at special schools on the same site as mainstream schools.

Regarding Recommendation 8, Partnership Groups were being developed in every area. This would give an opportunity to parents, carers, young people and professionals to have interactive dialogue at a local level and this would feed into the SEND Partnership Board.

The committee was informed that there were a number of workstreams set up as part of the SEND Improvement Plan. One of these was looking at transition and having a consistent approach across Lancashire.

There was concern over the transportation of children and the equipment that had to go with them. The ICS was working to develop more robust integrated services closer to home. There should be limited impact to children within special schools.

Transition and preparation for adulthood started in Year 9. From Year 9 there was an ongoing dialogue with the young person's family. There was a transition team who identified children's needs. A majority of colleges provided appropriate courses but also needed to improve their offer to become more universally inclusive. An Independent Specialist Placement might be required for a small number of young people and there was a transition process to deal with this.

With regards to Recommendation 2 of Appendix B, concerns were raised by the committee regarding the timescales of data sharing due to parents not being shared information in a timely manner and how they are measuring this to better support the parents. It was noted that there was a work plan in place as part of the Integrated Care System, which is looking at information sharing and they would be monitoring this, to make sure that the work is continuing and improving.

In terms of accommodation in special schools the committee was informed that the work space issue was a difficult area. Schools had been sent a questionnaire to find out what accommodation they had and what accommodation they could facilitate.

Members were informed that there was a single loan store for specialist equipment which was coordinated. Schools would contact this store to see what was in stock. The store did a collection and delivery service to schools. Through the Schools Forum updated advice had been presented to schools on how they could procure equipment and access the loan store.

There was going to be a refresh of the national guidance. What would work in Lancashire and how everyone would work together was vital.

Resolved:

  i.  Feedback provided from the committee be circulated to partners to form part of the progress report.

  ii.  Progress report be provided to the committee to the October meeting of the committee.