A period of 30 minutes has been set aside for members of the public to ask questions on the agenda for tonight’s meeting.
Minutes:
No questions were received in advance of the meeting.
Questions from previous meetings had been circulated ahead of the meeting.
There were six members of the public present at the meeting
A question was raised regarding the 20-week timescale for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), specifically seeking clarification on what the current position is and what data is being captured.
It was noted that minutes from the Local Offer had not been submitted and that this limited assurance. Officers outlined ongoing work around quality assurance of EHCP plans, commissioning, and the use of digital technology to better organise the SEND landscape. This includes improving the ability to capture information in one place, particularly minutes from the SEND Improvement Advisory Board (SIAB), to provide clearer assurance of the local system.
Ben Dunne advised that a regular meeting has now been established to address gaps around the Priority Improvement Plan (PIP), outcomes, and quantitative measures. These are being reviewed on a weekly basis. He noted that SIAB will play a key role in providing independent challenge and that the absence of clear data has previously created confusion.
Action: Officers to ensure SIAB minutes are captured and made available to support system assurance.
A member of the public referred to previous meetings and acknowledged that communication is improving, but asked what specific actions Children’s Services are taking. It was clarified that personal matters would not be minuted.
Further questions were raised around communication and annual reviews, including assurances on timeliness, transitions, SIAB-specific data, and how quality assurance is being applied to annual reviews. Councillor Smith responded that scrutiny, the education strategy, and governance arrangements place inclusion at the heart of the system, with clear accountability beyond the local authority, and that understanding the Council’s current position is essential.
Jeanette Richards added that not all work undertaken is currently visible on the Local Offer, including SIAB activity. She stressed that this does not detract from individual reviews and ongoing work with schools, which remain responsible for leading their improvement plans. She acknowledged challenges with timely annual reviews due to resourcing pressures and confirmed that remedial activity is underway. Quality assurance tools, including emerging use of digital and AI-enabled analysis, are being used to assess the quality of plans and reviews. She added that conversations are ongoing about what good communication should look like and how engagement can be strengthened.
Ben Dunne explained that, through the Communities of Practice model now taken in-house, SENCOs have increased opportunities to contribute to system improvement and share practice.
A further public question was raised regarding children with mental health needs, poor attendance, and those not accessing education or college, including concerns that some children are not being given fair opportunities. Councillor Smith responded that building strong relationships is central to addressing these issues. He highlighted the role of Alternative Provision (AP), attendance monitoring, and safeguarding, noting that AP is currently commissioned in different ways and that greater consistency is needed. He stressed the importance of monitoring attendance for children with EHCPs, ensuring safety, hearing the voice of the young person, and establishing clear pathways back into education.
Members noted a reported 12% increase in demand in 2024 and concerns that new specialist provision does not always meet need. Councillor Smith responded that children with low to moderate needs should be supported effectively in mainstream settings, while those requiring specialist provision must have access to appropriate placements. He acknowledged that some children have been turned down for specialist schools and confirmed that future planning includes ensuring the right balance of specialist and mainstream provision.
Ben Dunne highlighted the development of satellite hub models as an opportunity to better meet needs locally. He explained that work is underway in Bury to develop these hubs, working closely with parents and schools, and that this forms part of longer-term planning to improve inclusion and outcomes.