Agenda item

The Director of Education and SEND submits a report to update on High Needs Block (HNB) funding for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

The Director of Education and SEND submitted a report to update on High Needs Block (HNB) funding for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

An introduction was made by The Director of Education and SEND where it was noted that the High Needs Block item had come to Scrutiny in October 2024, and a six-month update had been requested. Some questions had been picked up by the formation of a Scrutiny Task Group which was currently ongoing. 

The SEND Inclusion Transformation Manager gave an overview of the report. Key points to note were as follows:

• During the six months, the focus had been on keeping children and young people at the heart of the work.
• There was a gradated approach for the school programme, working with schools and stake holders.
• There had been a reduction of children entering the SEND Statutory system from 932 to 455.
• A variety of support was in place.
• All schools were equipped to provide SEND support.
• Rising placements costs were presenting a risk for the recovery plan.
• It was hoped that central government would soon deliver a white paper confirming the way forward. Indications from the Department for Education were that strategy would focus on inclusive practice. This would align with work already in place for Leicester.
• Over recent years there had been a national narrative around the need for Education and Health Care Plans (EHCPs), but children’s needs could also be met in other ways.

Members had the opportunity to comment and raise questions. Key points to note were:

• Around 500 extra specialist placements had been opened within the city within recent years. The spaces were filled immediately. Two applications had been made unsuccessfully to create new SEND schools. Recent capital funding released had not been sufficient to fund for a new school.
• Schools could apply for additional Special Needs Funding to support those who did not have an EHCP.
• Creative use of funding meant that mechanisms had been put into place for applications of support.
• A free training offer had been put in, alongside the traded agreements, to provide support to schools in areas such as applying for funding and EHCPs.
• Part of the change programme involved working with a network of head teachers to look into how to use funding for alternative provision.
• A recent meeting had been held with CEOs from a large number of academy trusts, as part of the stakeholder engagement plan. Positive feedback was received on the support provided.
• Non-statutory top up funding was available to support children with SEND without EHCPs.
• Others could be supported by SEND support services.
• Mainstream schools could also provide support with reasonable adjustments.
• Inclusive Provision Reviews were being piloted which allowed for consideration of graduated support.
• Mechanisms were in place which meant that those who hadn’t qualified for an ECHP could reapply at a later stage.
• Work arising under the Central Government Change Programme had been spilt between, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Local Authorities. Leicester had lead on strategies including bands and tariffs, alternative provision, tiers of intervention, early language support and neurodiversity.
• Work to standardise the EHCP template was underway. There was a national trial. Data would be presented to reflect how successful this had been.
• Work had taken place, in line with government guidelines, on robust multi-agency disciplines. Panels had all come into line with these principals.
• The Department for Education had recognised the changes made.
• SEND provision was statutory, this created challenges with managing the deficit.
• There were many ways in which the voice of the child was captured throughout their support plan.
• A significant number of Local Authorities nationally were in a deficit budget.
• The long-term goal for SEND services was to ensure that children and young people could learn and thrive in the most appropriate setting.

AGRRED:

1)    That the report be noted

2)    Scrutiny members would be kept up to date with any key issues relating to the topic.

3)    For the report produced by the HNB Task Group to come back to the CYPE meeting.

4)    Information would be provided on whether guidance had improved on EHCPs.

Councillor Clarke joined the meeting during the consideration of this item.