Agenda item

The Director of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR( SEND and Inclusion Alliance Team submit a report to provide the Commission with information about the work of the LLR SEND and Inclusion Alliance including:

·       LLR SIA approach to co-production

·       LLR SEND Change Programme Partnership (CPP)

·       SEND Aligned Commissioning Programme

·       Shaping SEND Futures – local community inclusion model

·       Operational Plan for 2026/27

The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland SEND and Inclusion Alliance gave a presentation to the Committee on the purpose and activities of the Alliance. The following was noted:

• The LLR SEND and Inclusion Alliance had been funded by the Department for Education having evolved from the national SEND and Alternative Provision Change Programme Partnership.
• The programme was Department for Education led and overseen locally by the Director of Children’s Services, with input from NHS partners.
• The Alliance aimed to connect and bring together different areas of the system to develop new and more integrated ways of working.
• The first 2 years had focused on developing Local Area Inclusion Plans and testing 11 elements of proposed SEND reform. The final year concludes in Summer 2026 and is concentrating on the development of a Local Integrated Service Offer.
• A key objective was to support more children and young people with additional needs to remain in mainstream education wherever appropriate.
• The ELSEC (Early language Support for Every Child) programme had operated as a pathfinder and, due to its success, there was an ambition to continue the work through to 2027.
• The Alliance was described as a coalition of the willing across partners, as it has no statutory functions, but it has 5 strategic aims including aligned commissioning and a community 8inclusion programme 
• Leicester City Council hosted the LLR SEND Joint Commissioning Strategy, which has an initial focus area around moderate mental health needs; specifically for children with emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA)
• The Community Inclusion Programme, shaping SEND Futures, is linking with the Family First programme to ensure holistic support is provided for children with additional needs and their families.
• Engagement with headteachers had identified that SEND itself was not always viewed as the primary issue, but that adult mental health, domestic abuse and wider family pressures were having significant impact on children and young people.
• Pilot engagement events had been held in Hinckley and Bosworth and Northwest Leicestershire

In discussion with Members, the following:

• Clarification was sought regarding children not supported by CAMHS, including whether this referred to those without a diagnosis or those on waiting lists, and the age range of children supported. It was explained that not every young person required CAMHS level intervention and that the project was seeking innovative approaches to meet needs earlier and at a lower threshold. The programme aimed to provide an additional layer of support, including social prescribing, improving listening and engagement, and delivering in reach mental health practitioner support within schools, even where a formal diagnosis had not been made.
• Concern was raised as to whether expanding mainstream provision could risk reducing specialist support. It was clarified that the focus was on early help and early intervention, with the intention that timely support may reduce escalation and the need for later diagnosis. It was also emphasised that specialist SEND schools remained essential for children requiring higher levels of care, and that one aim of the project was to reduce pressure on those settings where appropriate.
• Members sought further information regarding the number of children supported, and  the use of performance data, the measurable impact of the programme and any associated financial savings. It was reported that funding of 5.7 million pounds had been provided by the Department for Education to support 11 projects across LLR, ending the Summer 2026 Whilst sustainability was a concern, there was hope that demonstrable progress would support continuation through alternative funding routes. It was noted that demand for EHCPs had increased significantly, with around 150 percent rise referenced. It was suggested that clearer and more detailed data be included within future reports to assist Members in assessing impact
• The importance of family voice was highlighted, with concern expressed that parents could at times feel blamed within the wider system. It was acknowledged that capturing parent voice had not always been consistent and that perceptions of blame were a national issue. The Alliance was seeking to identify system gaps and improve practice. It was reported that 3 Chairs of the Parent Carer Board were engaged with the programme and had a standing agenda item each month at the Alliance Board. Questions were raised regarding how disengaged parents were being reached and whether funding could support parent groups within schools and strengthen post 16 to 18 provision. It was confirmed that Parent Carer Forums were established and that work had taken place with local businesses to support young people into employment.
• Clarification was sought regarding how the Alliance promoted its work. It was reported that a communications and engagement strategy was in place, that the Alliance had formally existed since August 2025 and that an established website was now available. It was also noted that in some inner city schools a significant proportion of pupils had SEND needs.

AGREED:

1.     The Committee noted the report.

2.     A link to the LLR SEND and Inclusion Alliance website would be included within the minutes.