A verbal update on behalf of the High Needs Working Group will be provided at the meeting from Helean Hughes (Director – Education & Skills).
Minutes:
Helean Hughes (Director for Education & Skills), gave a verbal update on behalf of the High Needs Working Group.
Attention was drawn to the content of the powerpoint included in the minutes from the January meeting, which set the scene in much detail about system change and not just projects.
In January 2020 the outline of the plan was presented to Schools Forum.
In March 2020 we went into lockdown – which then took over the work of schools, they had to be entirely focused on dealing with Covid, as were the LA.
Since Easter attempts to return to business as usual had been made, however whilst some progress had been made it was limited. Because of this we had not been able to progress as quickly as liked. It was estimated that there had been a loss of around 2 to 3 months of work on the plan.
Project Updates:
· Alison Enever – leading on special schools transformation
· Success with the School in the south – details to be announced shortly
· Exclusion strategy approved by Cabinet in March 2020, waiting for final sign off from the Health & Wellbeing Board – delayed by Covid.
High Needs Update – Key Principles:
· Getting support when and where it was needed.
· Improve local equity of access
· Build collaborative capacity and decision making processes.
· Ownership and understanding – building on the work already developed through school effectiveness.
Dyslexia friendly schools:
A saving target was set. 18 Schools were selected and were geographically spread across the county, with one secondary school in each of the N,S,E & W areas. There was a Virtual launch on 8 June 2020 with the British Dyslexia Association.
Inclusion and School Effectiveness project:
This was a project that was dependent on children being in schools, so as a result of Covid this project had stalled. A savings target of £360k for 2020/21 - Thanks to the Schools that came forward, 17 were selected to take part in this project. There would be a possible re-launch in September 2020.
High Needs – ELP and Resource Base Review
A savings target of £200k for 2020/21.
SLAs being reviewed to ensure the focus was on outcomes and in-reach/out-reach based work. This work sat in the broader system of excellence.
SEND Assessment and EHCP
A saving target of £600k for 2020/21.
Banding document re-written, shared with Heads and SENCOs. Moderation to follow the adoption of the banding changes and align with regional approach.
Review of the Independent or Maintained schools
Lisa Fryer appointed to lead the project on 31st May
A savings target of £500k for 2020/21.
SEND AP project
A saving target of £93k for 2020/21.
ISOS working with us. Conference put on hold but would resume mid-term 5, with colleagues working with ISOS to move this forward
Digital update
Savings for this year had slipped.
David Paice working on this, developing an online app.
High Needs Early Years Intervention
Angela Everett leading on this, there had been a slight delay.
Making sure the transition is as easy as possible.
Pathways project
Dr James Wood working on this. Aspirations for children, support around that, focusing on the individual.
Early Years Intervention and Support Project (EYIO)
EY panel – looking at children with highest needs – so that support in place where needed.
Questions and comments:
· The final slide showed a target saving of £200k by looking at dealing with things from the EY inclusion funds, however the EYI fund is already overspent how will you look to get that in target?
Answer: We could take that to the EY Reference Group – to look at the consequences. We also need to include an EY representation on the working group – could we have that please?
Resolved:
That the Forum note the update and savings proposals as detailed within the presentation.