Issue - meetings

Isobel Booler and Michael Kemp gave a detailed presentation updating on steps taken to improve SEND arrangements in the borough.   The updated also included specific detail on the launch of the Graduated Approach Co-Production Project. The Board noted progress made but also some of the challenges being experienced in providing appropriate support to children and families.  The board also noted the significant impact of the increase in education, health and care (EHC) plans where Bury tracked very highly nationally and against comparable boroughs.

Members celebrated the strengths based and person centred approach, and celebrated the strong partnership work demonstrated between Council and Health Partners so far and agreed that this was the best way forward. A social model could help ensure SEND support was provided in the right place at the right time. This would also entail a culture shift, away from medicalising the response, and facilitate trust from parents and young people.

Will Blandamer asked all NHS partners – providers and the ICB – to ensure the recognition of the steps required to discharge obligations to the Bury SEND improvement board were fully recognised in the governance of their own organisations, and to ensure full participation in the SEND improvement planning arrangements.

Warren Heppolette commended the quality of the presentation and committed to ensuring the NHS GM ICB was sighted and addressing those issues of common concern pertaining to SEND across all 10 localities. The Board agreed that an update on this should be provided at the next Locality Board meeting, to clarify governance arrangements and maintain momentum.

The Locality Board

Agreed to review the extent to which each organisation was sighted and contributing as far as possible to the Bury SEND partnership arrangements.

Agreed that this item should come back to the next Board meeting.