To report the outcomes and recommendations of the SEND provision task and finish group to the children and young people scrutiny committee. The committee will consider and approve the outcomes from the task and finish group and decide if the recommendations should be reported to cabinet.

The SEND Provision task and finish group report was introduced by the chairman of the group, Councillor FM Norman, who explained that the group had looked carefully at the changes introduced by the children and family act 2014 and concerns that children with SEND were being allocated to the wrong educational establishments. The group had not looked at home education, this was understood to be a significant issue but one which the government was now looking to address. The group recognised that the numbers at special schools was increasing but whilst there was not widespread incidence of children in the wrong educational setting the group acknowledged that children could be allocated incorrectly.  

In the discussion that followed the points below were raised:

·         The importance of providing funding for CPD concerning SEND was raised. In the recently approved council budget 2019/20, an allocation had been agreed for CPD relating to SEND for teachers. This would be particularly in smaller schools to help in efforts to ensure good SEND provision.

·         It was noted that concerns persisted regarding delays in speech and language therapy. This had been an issue previously and it was disappointing that the problem persisted.

An additional recommendation concerning training in the early years phase and EHC Plans was proposed which was agreed in principle and would be finalised with the chairperson of the task and finish group following the meeting.

RESOLVED: That the report and recommendations of the SEND provision task and finish group (subject to the finalisation and inclusion of a recommendation concerning early years phase – training and EHC Plans) be approved for submission to the executive.