Agenda item

To consider a report from the Chief Executive.

Cllr Laura Mayes, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills presented a report which outlined proposals to commission an external education provider to provide 45 places for primary age children and 15-25 places for secondary age young people with Education Health and Care Plans and Social, Emotional & Mental Health (SEMH) profile of need in Wiltshire for Wiltshire children and young people.

The Deputy Leader explained that the Council has a significant need for Primary Day Special Social, SEMH provision in Wiltshire for children with EHCPs. She highlighted that currently, there is no maintained special school provision for primary-aged learners in Wiltshire, despite a growth in demand for SEMH special school places.

Cabinet noted that the Council is supporting increasing numbers of secondary age pupils currently struggling to access mainstream education due to high levels of anxiety and there is a lack of in county provision to support learners in reintegration into school settings. Due to the current lack of sufficiency the Council are placing high numbers of children in independent special schools often result in children traveling long distances and being further removed from their local communities.

The Asset Gateway and Capital Programme Board approved in February 2023 for Melksham House to be leased to a commissioned external provider to deliver education provision following required site renovations. Cllr Phil Alford, Cabinet member for Housing, Strategic Assets and Asset Transfer recently visited the site and commented on how he was impressed with the excellent facility and pleased that it was at the heart of the community in the town centre. Cllr Caroline Thomas, Cabinet Member for Transport, Street Scene and Flooding added her support for the proposals and noted that the life chances of children would be significantly improved.

Cllr Gordon King, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, supported the proposal and agreed with the positive views of Cabinet members.

Cllr Jon Hubbard, Chair of the Children’s Select Committee reported that he and Cllr Jacqui Lay, Vice-Chair of the Children’s Select Committee received a briefing on the report on 7 December 2023. They welcomed the exciting proposals which would help with the immediate demand and the Council’s reliance on out of county placements.

Cllr Hubbard, in a personal capacity, commented on the funding issues surrounding EHCPs and the need to concentrate on individual needs as one size did not fit all.

Resolved:

1.    Approve the award a 5 plus 5 year contract to an external education provider, to provide 45 places for primary age children and 15-25 places for secondary age young people with EHCPs and Social, Emotional & Mental Health (SEMH) needs in Wiltshire for Wiltshire children and young people. This will include an annual review of the contract.

2.    Note that the contract award will follow officers completing the tender programme, award, and implementation of a new contract for the provision of OFSTED registered education by 31 March 2024, with a clear mobilisation period to support opening in September 2024.

3.    To delegate authority to approve and award a new contract and future extensions and all associated documents to the Corporate Director, People, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills.

Reason for Decision:

To ensure primary and secondary aged children and young people with EHCPs and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) profile are provided with fulltime equivalent education in an OFSTED registered school, tailored to their individual needs.

To ensure cost effective placements for children and young people within buildings owned by Wiltshire Council by leasing them to a provider at a peppercorn rent through a new contract.