Decision details

The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of the findings of a consultation exercise, proposing to end funding of over £400k per annum for the Residential Provision at Ash Field Academy from 1 September 2024.

Please Note:  This decision was Called-In under Rule 12 of Part 4D of the Council’s Constitution.  The Call-In was considered by the Children, Young People, and Education Scrutiny Commission at its meeting on 2 November 2023 where it was withdrawn by resolution of the Committee in accordance with Rule 12 (g) of Part 4D of the Council’s Constitution.  The original decision taken on 28 September 2023 is, therefore, deemed to be revived in its entirety.

1)    To withdraw the funding for the Residential Provision at Ash Field Academy totalling over £400k per annum, with effect from 1 September 2024.

2)       To agree that officers will work in partnership with both special schools that have residential provision (Ashfield and Millgate), the NHS and Adult Social Care to look at sustainable options for the residential element in both schools. 

3)    To ask that officers work alongside scrutiny to carry out some focussed work in respect of the high-needs block. 

The Residential Provision at Ash Field Academy is funded from the High Needs Block grant.  The grant is paid by the Department for Education for the provision of education for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

The High Needs Block grant, cannot be used for non-educational activities, including residential schemes. 

The High Needs Block grant was overspent by £4.6m for 2022/23 and the Local Authority is required to bring the overspend back into budget.      

Whilst the Residential Provision is noted to be Outstanding by Ofsted and provides social learning benefits for children and young people with disabilities.  The service is only available to 35 to 40 children and young people attending Ash Field Academy and these activities can be provided during the normal 25-hour school week.    

An extensive consultation exercise has taken place and details can be found in the associated report.        

Option 1. Do nothing - The residential provision continues to put additional strain on the High Needs Block funding, at a time when the Council must develop a recovery plan, detailing how the local authority is going to bring the overspend back into budget.  The continued funding of the provision is an inappropriate use of the High Needs Block funding.  Also, only a small number of pupils attending Ash Field Academy can access the residential provision.

Option 2. Continue to fund the Ash Field Academy Residential Provision, via the LA General Fund, and to widen access to pupils beyond the school - The Council’s General Fund is overspent and cannot fund a non-statutory service.  Concerns have also been raised that the option would reduce access to pupils attending Ash Field Academy and the school may not be able to support external pupils and there may be registration implications.

Option 3. Remove the funding with effect from 1 September 2024 – This is the preferred option.