Agenda item

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 taken to address delays and mitigate the impact on children and families.

Ian Trafford explained that the position for adults and children differed significantly and should not be directly compared. He advised that more robust pathways had now been established for adults, including commissioned services and the operation of Right to Choose pathways. Improvements had also been made to transition arrangements between children's and adult services. He clarified that the report should not be interpreted as suggesting that waiting time pressures had been resolved but that important changes had been made to improve access to services.

Cllr Pilkington reflected upon his own lived experience and noted that waiting times can vary considerably depending on the pathway followed and the provider chosen.

Cllr Martin asked whether individuals and families required additional guidance to help them navigate the different assessment pathways available to them.

Cllr FitzGerald noted that many of the revised arrangements had only recently been introduced and asked when tangible improvements would begin to be seen.

Ian Trafford advised that Bury now had a fully commissioned adult assessment service, although patients continued to retain rights under Patient Choice regulations to access alternative providers. As waiting times varied considerably between providers, it was difficult to provide a single definitive timescale. In relation to children's services, he advised that waiting times were broadly around two years but agreed that more accurate and up-to-date figures would be provided following the meeting. He explained that children under five are generally supported through NCA paediatric services, whilst children aged over five are supported through Pennine Care services.

Members were informed that £180,000 had been invested in a Neurodevelopmental Hub to provide support to families while they awaited formal assessment. Providers were also reviewing existing waiting lists in order to prioritise children according to need. This work was being supported through the Greater Manchester transformation programme, which aimed to ensure that children with the most significant needs were seen first. In addition, a multi-agency triage process was being developed in Bury, bringing relevant partners together to review referrals and determine levels of need and priority. Work was also taking place across Greater Manchester to understand and address existing assessment backlogs.

It was agreed that officers would provide members with accurate waiting time figures and circulate information outlining the assessment pathway and associated improvement programme.

Cllr Tariq welcomed the positive inspection outcome and acknowledged that it had not been guaranteed, particularly given the significant criticisms contained within previous inspections. He noted the achievement represented by demonstrating progress across all six priority areas but highlighted ongoing concerns regarding future national SEND reforms and wider system pressures. He suggested that further challenge was required nationally to ensure that forthcoming reforms were sufficiently robust to tackle existing issues. He emphasised the importance of maintaining strong partnerships across health, social care and education services to prevent children falling through gaps in provision. He also recognised the significant contribution made by officers and partners in reaching the current position and described the inspection outcome as a strong foundation upon which further improvements could be built.

Cllr FitzGerald acknowledged that SEND remained a significant issue across Greater Manchester and advised that a further joint meeting would be arranged to consider future developments in more detail. It was also agreed that a briefing paper would be circulated setting out the anticipated timetable for SEND reforms, the key proposed changes and the likely implications for local services.

In closing remarks, Cllr Pilkington reiterated the importance of hearing directly from parents and carers, whose experiences provided valuable insight into how local services were performing. He thanked all partners involved in the improvement journey and emphasised the continued commitment to working together to improve outcomes for children and young people in Bury.

The Committee thanked Cllr Pilkington and officers for the update, recognised the progress outlined within the report and noted the information provided.

It Was Agreed:

·       The report be noted

Actions:

• Officers to provide members with accurate and up-to-date neurodevelopmental assessment waiting time figures.
• Officers to circulate information setting out the neurodevelopmental assessment pathway and associated improvement programme timeline.
• Officers to circulate a briefing paper outlining the timetable for forthcoming SEND reforms, the key proposed changes and the potential implications for local services.
• Written responses to be provided in accordance with the Council's non-attendance process where required.