Agenda item

Reports from the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People attached

Members considered the report on the SEND Reform Plan and received a presentation from Ben Dunne.

Ben Dunne provided an overview of the SEND Reform Plan, outlining that the current SEND system is costly and requires significant reform. He advised that the changes proposed were complex and represented a substantial cultural shift across education, health and social care services. The plan had been developed within a five-week timescale and was centred on increasing inclusion and improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND. He explained that the reforms sought to establish a more inclusive education system through a graduated approach to support, incorporating universal, targeted and specialist interventions. He also highlighted the proposed "Experts at Hand" model, which would provide greater support to schools through a team-around-the-school approach.

In response to questions from Councillor Southworth regarding communication with parents and carers, Ben Dunne acknowledged that improving communication remained a significant challenge and priority. He advised that engagement work had already commenced with children and young people through student councils and that four new engagement groups had recently been established. He stated that parents and carers would be central to the reforms and to the development of the "Experts at Hand" model.

Wendy Young added that improved communication across the partnership was recognised as essential and highlighted the importance of ensuring that underrepresented families were able to contribute to service development.

Councillor Sheppard asked what additional support from central government would assist the delivery of the reforms and requested information regarding the number of therapists and specialist professionals required to support implementation. Ben Dunne advised that further information would be provided following the meeting. Councillor Sheppard also sought clarification regarding the "Experts at Hand" model and whether sufficient capacity existed to deliver the service. Ben Dunne noted that final national guidance had only been published on 10 June and that further work was required locally to determine delivery arrangements.

Will Blandamer advised that NHS Greater Manchester was undertaking work to consider strategic opportunities around services such as speech and language therapy. He highlighted workforce development as a key challenge and identified workforce planning as a significant risk area for the future.

Councillor Sheppard further referred to the Exclusion Strategy and asked how the authority would respond where schools did not engage with the reforms

Ben Dunne advised that approximately 80 per cent of schools were now part of Multi Academy Trusts, creating both opportunities and challenges. He reported that strong relationships were being developed with trusts and that engagement had taken place with 13 of the 14 secondary schools in Bury. He stated that suspension and permanent exclusion rates remained too high and that robust analysis and conversations with schools were taking place to improve inclusion. He reported that schools had generally engaged positively with the reforms to date.

Robert Arrowsmith commented that SEND reforms shared many of the challenges facing wider children's social care reforms, particularly around increasing demand and workforce pressures. He noted that some of the strongest performing authorities nationally were based in London and that inclusive practice appeared to be a key factor in their success.

Councillor Martin referred to the baseline figures contained within the report and requested further information regarding Education, Health and Care Plan numbers and future projections. Ben Dunne advised that he did not have the figures available during the meeting and would circulate the information following the meeting. Robert Arrowsmith added that the reform programme focused on establishing the necessary foundations for long-term change and that significant benefits for families may not be realised until 2029-30. Ben Dunne acknowledged that supporting parental confidence in mainstream education placements would represent a major challenge moving forward.

Councillor Martin also raised concerns regarding the complexity of an Early Years feedback form and questioned whether this may have led to applications being rejected where support was unavailable to complete the paperwork. Wendy Young advised that the form was intended to improve consistency but was not mandatory, as applications could be made through alternative routes. She acknowledged that the quality of supporting evidence could vary. It was agreed that further information would be provided to Councillor Martin outside of the meeting.

Councillor Hunt asked about potential challenges in securing commitment from Multi Academy Trusts to the reforms. Ben Dunne advised that there were currently 14 trusts operating within Bury and that regular dialogue continued through network meetings and headteacher forums. He reported that attendance and engagement levels had generally been positive and emphasised the importance of maintaining strong lines of communication.

Councillor FitzGerald queried how expectations would be managed given the long-term nature of the reforms. Ben Dunne acknowledged previous criticisms of SEND services and stressed the importance of demonstrating commitment through action and improved communication with families. Councillor FitzGerald also noted that corporate parenting responsibilities were not explicitly referenced within the report. Ben Dunne responded that the wider inclusion agenda incorporated vulnerable children and that stronger alignment between SEND services, schools and the Virtual School would continue to be developed.

Joanne Burns highlighted the relationship between inclusion and school funding, noting the significant investment made in London schools over a number of years. She questioned whether schools had sufficient resources and specialist support available to deliver genuinely inclusive education. Robert Arrowsmith acknowledged that funding for programmes such as "Experts at Hand" was currently time limited and identified the continuation of funding as a future challenge. Ben Dunne accepted that London schools generally benefited from higher levels of funding but emphasised that strong partnership working, support and scrutiny arrangements also contributed to improved outcomes. He added that support would need to reflect the differing needs and contexts of individual schools.

Councillor Boles sought assurance regarding the co-production of the SEND Reform Plan. Ben Dunne stated that while engagement with the Parent Carer Forum had taken place, he would have welcomed greater involvement and acknowledged that the compressed timescale for submission had limited opportunities for engagement. He confirmed that co-production would be strengthened as the reforms developed. Robert Arrowsmith added that the Parent Carer Forum had been heavily involved in specific aspects of the self-assessment process. Councillor Boles welcomed these assurances and stressed the importance of ongoing co-production with parents and carers.

In response to questions regarding governance and leadership arrangements, Councillor Walmsley advised that she had recently taken on responsibility for the portfolio and had undertaken a handover from the previous portfolio holder. She reported that she held weekly meetings with the Executive Director and was continuing to familiarise herself with the issues and priorities within the service area.

The Committee noted the report and welcomed the proposed direction of travel, whilst emphasising the importance of communication with families, sufficient workforce capacity, sustainable funding arrangements, meaningful co-production and ongoing monitoring of the reforms as implementation progresses.

It Was Agreed:

·       The report be noted

Actions:

• Officers to provide information regarding workforce requirements, including therapy and specialist staffing needs.
• Officers to circulate updated EHCP data and projections to Committee Members.
• Officers to provide follow-up information regarding concerns raised about the Early Years feedback form.