Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Board received a report of the Executive Director of Community and Children’s Services, concerning Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) in the City of London local area. Following the presentation of the report, the Board asked questions and made comments, which are detailed below.

Following a Member query on whether there were sufficient financial resources for the increase in children requiring SEND support, the Board heard that the funding for SEND was within the high needs block of the dedicated schools grant. There were annual discussions with the Department for Education (DfE) with regards to funding. However, there was not a specialist need school within the City of London area, some placements had to be made in schools outside of the local area. These placements were more challenging and costly, which created the budget pressures.

Members heard that the higher statistics for boys receiving an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) reflected national trends. Analysis of cases within the City of London area showed that girls were more likely to be referred during the transition into secondary school. There had been work with The Aldgate School for early identification and support of girls and were working with an Education Pyschologist. The national trends in the increase in the number of referrals was a challenge across all schools.

Members noted that there had been developments since the last OFSTED data collection. The Board heard that data for SEND support was not easily accessible, as it relied upon the co-operation of schools, and schools did not have to provide the data. However, data had been used from school admissions and there had been a successful return following contact with schools, meaning that the data could be kept up to date. Schools were invited to join the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo) network to provide information and signposting on early or additional familial support.

Members commented on resources and capacity, noting anecdotes from families on the frustration at the timeline to complete an EHCP referral. The Board heard that numbers had increased since 2020, which followed national trends, even though some cases had since moved outside of the City of London area. In terms of capacity, the SEND team were small. The Educational Psychologists were a 4 day a week source, but there had not been a large staff turnover in recent years. There had been recruitment for a second SEND case worker. The team had managed to meet 100% of its statutory deadlines, but this could be due to the smaller population size of the City. In terms of the timeline for EHCP, there were codes of practices and national frameworks which meant that it could take up to 20 weeks from the start of an application to its conclusion. During this period, independent advice was offered to support parents. With a new broader SEND framework, resourcing and capacity would have to be looked at in more depth in the future. Despite these challenges, there were good connections with schools, children and social care, and there was a strong commitment to deliver services.

Finally, the Board heard that increases in children requiring SEND support occurred in the transition to secondary school (Year 7). Following a request to have more detail on the statistics, the Board heard that this information was sensitive due to the smaller population within the City, which could make individuals identifiable. There would have to be careful consideration of how this data was presented to the Board in the future.

RESOLVED – That the report be received and its contents noted.