Agenda item

SEND report is attached.

6.1  Merril Hauseler, Director of Education, and officers from her department presented the SEND report. The chair then invited members to ask questions.

6.2  The Director was asked how she intended to address the challenges of too few educational psychologists and ensuring that assessment and planning for the new Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP) take less than 20 weeks. She responded that the SEND and transition team are devoting news ways of working; the 20 weeks standard is important but can be challenging.

6.3  Officers were asked more on the Local Offer website and how they intended to improve this. Officer said the aim is for the Local Offer website to be the place where people go to for everything they might need.  There is a training function whereby people can book on the website. There was a Ministry of Sound consultation event with young people where officers listened to what young people want. The SEND team are looking now at developing the post 26 offer, so people have a seamless service. There is a transition pathway being developed. A member commented that parents say it can be hard to access high quality support as they become adults. Officers said that support has now been extended to over 25.

6.4  A member said she was a governor at a school and feedback is that schools get money backdated for children with SEND and this is a continual problem. She asked what is been done to resolve this. Officers responded that there is some funding for low level support and also some additional support with a CAMHS and SEND advisor. Officers can also help schools with SEND planning. The director said that the council does make the funding available quickly, but the criteria are tough to access this funding.

6.5  Officers were asked about SENCO support and officers said that the council have six SENCO’s who are mentoring and training others.

6.6  A member remarked that the process for schools looked satisfactory; however she wanted to know if there was a process in place for continual improvement. An officer said there are arrangements in place for parents to give ongoing feedback, but she will also include schools; she agreed that an ongoing process for improvement was good practice.

6.7  Officers were asked how the movement to more school autonomy through Pupil Premium is going with schools. The Director of Education said it was a huge change, but going very well. A member said he knew of a family where the child has autism and asked if they would be able to use the services of an out of borough provider. Officer explained that any parent has a right to express a preference however officers do need to consider resources and suitability. The member asked if independent advice is available and officer said it absolutely was.

6.8  A member asked if the council was sharing good practice and officers responded that there is some work on this, mainly with Lambeth Council, but the main focus is on making Southwark stronger.

6.9  A member referred to his earlier comment during the cabinet member interview on the need to adequately meet the needs of children with Emotional & Behaviour Disorder (EBD) and said there was a live issue he was discussing with the Director of Education.

6.10  A member said she was looking forward to the new Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP) really making a difference.