Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People is attached.

The Committee received a report regarding the outcome of the Bury Local Area SEND Monitoring Inspection. Members were expected to have read the report in advance of the meeting.

Councillor Walmsley introduced the report, following which Wendy Young provided an overview of the findings and progress made since the inspection.

Wendy Young explained that the Local Area Partnership had worked closely with Department for Education (DfE) and NHS England colleagues through regular stocktake meetings and ongoing monitoring arrangements. The monitoring inspection took place in March and the inspection outcome letter was published on 29 June.

The report outlined the progress made against the Priority Action Plan and concluded that improvements had been achieved across a number of areas. However, it was acknowledged that, despite being subject to intervention since 2017, one priority area remained a concern. Work would therefore continue through the delivery of the Priority Action Plan to ensure sustained improvement and positive outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

It was also noted that the report had previously been considered by the Health Scrutiny Committee and that the monitoring inspection should not be seen as an endpoint, but rather as part of the ongoing improvement journey for the Bury Local Area Partnership.

Councillor Hunt noted the lack of specialist provision for young people aged 19 and over and sought assurance that this issue was being addressed.

In response, Wendy Young acknowledged the challenges associated with post-16 provision. She advised that work was underway to assess sufficiency across post-16 education and support services. A SEND Sufficiency Lead had been appointed and a SEND Sufficiency Plan was currently being developed. Engagement was taking place with key post-16 providers to better understand local needs and ensure that future provision met demand. The Sufficiency Plan would be brought forward for further consideration in due course.

Councillor FitzGerald highlighted the importance of ensuring that actions identified through both the Children's and Health Scrutiny Committees were appropriately monitored and progressed. It was confirmed that minutes and actions would be circulated and that arrangements were in place to ensure effective oversight across both scrutiny functions.

Councillor Boles sought clarification regarding transition data for children educated within alternative provision settings.

Wendy Young explained that concerns raised during the inspection had related primarily to pupils attending the Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) and children who had been permanently excluded. Historic data collection processes within the PRU had not been sufficiently consistent. However, partnership working with primary and secondary headteachers had been strengthened, and discussions had taken place through the relevant forums to ensure that the PRU could provide greater assurance regarding transition arrangements and performance information.

Councillor Boles also asked for an update on the tracking and completion of annual Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) reviews.

Wendy Young advised that, while performance was not yet at the level required, significant improvements had been made through the full implementation of the Liquidlogic case management system. All children and young people were now recorded on the system, enabling  ...  view the full minutes text for item 112

Report of the Deputy Leader and Interim Cabinet Member for Children and Young People is attached.

The Chair reminded members that they were expected to have read the report in advance of the meeting. Noting the attendance of several officers and two political representatives due to the report spanning two Cabinet portfolios, the Chair advised that questions would be taken following the presentation. To ensure efficiency, responses could be considered before being brought back to the Committee by the most appropriate Cabinet Member or officer rather than multiple officers responding to each question.

Cllr Tom Pilkington, Deputy Cabinet Member for Health and Care, introduced the report. He highlighted the collaborative approach that had been taken across services and political groups and thanked councillors, officers, parents and carers for their contributions throughout the improvement journey. He acknowledged that SEND services are a highly emotive area and can cause significant anxiety for children, young people and families. He stated that the positive inspection outcome represented an important milestone but should be regarded as a snapshot in time rather than the completion of the improvement journey. Significant work remained to ensure improved outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

Cllr Zaman referred to the six priority areas identified through previous inspection activity and asked how these related to the summary contained within the report, seeking clarification on whether the actions taken had been effective in delivering the required improvements.

In response, Jeanette Richards explained that the inspection was a Local Area SEND Monitoring Inspection and should be viewed as part of a longer-term improvement journey. She advised that monitoring inspections assess the progress made since previous inspections and whether appropriate action has been taken to address identified areas for improvement.

However, she stressed that this did not mean the work was complete and recognised that further improvements were still required to ensure that children, young people, parents and carers received the support they needed.

Cllr FitzGerald sought clarification that inspectors had determined that effective action had been demonstrated within the 18-month improvement period. Cllr Zaman reiterated the importance of understanding precisely what inspectors had meant when reaching that conclusion.

Cllr Boles welcomed the positive progress reported but questioned how the proposed write-off of the High Needs Block deficit would contribute to improving outcomes for children and young people.

Jeanette Richards advised that, despite the positive inspection findings, there remained significant national uncertainty around SEND funding arrangements and future demand. She explained that a three-year SEND Reform Strategic Plan had been developed and submitted. Increasing demand for SEND services continued to present substantial challenges and the authority recognised that financial pressures and overspends were likely to continue. A Strategic Delivery Plan had been submitted as part of the conditions associated with the High Needs Block deficit arrangements.

Cllr Rubinstein commended officers and partners for the progress achieved to date but expressed concern regarding the wider national SEND funding position and the significant High Needs deficit being experienced across the country.

Referring to information contained within the report regarding lengthy assessment waiting times, Cllr Martin asked what actions were being  ...  view the full minutes text for item 138

Report of the Deputy Leader and Interim Cabinet Member for Children and Young People is attached.

The Deputy Leader and Interim Cabinet Member for Children and Young People presented a report regarding the outcome of the monitoring inspection undertaken in March 2026 by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which had concluded that effective action has been taken in all six priority action areas. Members congratulated all involved in getting Bury to this point. In response to Members’ questions, it was noted that neurodiverse diagnoses sat at a GM level and could be discussed in full at the Health Scrutiny meeting next week.

Decision:

Cabinet noted the outcome of the monitoring inspection and the plans for continued transformation through the local SEND Reform Plan.

Reasons for the decision:

To formally note the outcome.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

N/A