The UK council has decided to approve recommendations for the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) improvement plan.

URL: https://cmttpublic.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1973

Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: Cabinet considered the report of the Executive Director of Children and Families and the Head of Education and Inclusion which provided an update on the council’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) improvement plan.   Cabinet Members noted that due to a continued trend of significant growth in the number of Education Health Care Needs Assessments (EHCNAs) requests, this had led to a significant rise in the number of Education Health Care Plans (EHCPs) agreed to support the educational needs of children and young people. It was acknowledged that for parents/carers and children going through the process, the SEND service had not best met their needs as well as it should have and it was felt important to acknowledge this before moving forward with the subsequent improvement and investment.   Members further noted that when setting priorities for 2025/26, recommendations from the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) SEND Inspection, the Parent Carer Forum bi-annual Survey and the independent review of the council’s SEND service by an external provider were all considered.   The significant amount of work undertaken recently in addressing shortfalls in the SEND service were highlighted to Members, including:   ·         Reviewed SEND governance ·         Appointed an independent chair to support this process ·         Updated the JSNA ·         Developing a new SEND strategy ·         Introduce an action tracker ·         Realigned the SEND team ·         Recruited to 24 posts in the last 12 months ·         Appointed a new Director of Education and Inclusion ·         Looking at innovative digital solutions with partners ·         Working with the DfE on the finance element of the SEND system ·         Continue to report into Scrutiny on SEND   It was also highlighted that this complex area was not just the Council’s responsibility, but also Health colleagues, schools and working with parents/carers and the Parent Carer Forum to ensure children with SEND receive the best education and best start in life.  The increased demand in this area was recognised as well as the limited number of Educational Psychologists.  The way in which EHCPs were written and communication with parents/carers was felt to be much improved, however there was still more to do to speed up the EHCP process.   Cabinet Members welcomed the update report and the progress made to date, recognising there were still challenges to face and more work to do but that the direction was on course and moving forward. The investment in specialist teachers to support schools in this area was also welcomed and officers were thanked for their hard work in getting to this point, in particular Amanda Perraton, Executive Director of Children and Families.   Councillor Adam Langan, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, led the discussion on the item as proposer and the item was seconded by Councillor Sheila Little, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care.   Councillor Langan praised the openness of staff and parents/carers, acknowledged the difficult starting point and the stress experienced by families going through the SEND process.  He highlighted the recent Parent Carer Forum blog which summarised all the activity over the past year and showed the amount of work undertaken in co-production with parents and carers to try and improve the service.   DECIDED:    That   the updates contained within this report and the progress made with the SEND improvement plan be acknowledged.   Reason for Decision   This update is provided so that Cabinet is aware of the SEND improvement plan and has oversight of the progress made.   Alternative Options   1)            The new Ofsted framework being consulted on by the Department for Education suggest measures pertaining to more inclusive practice in schools may have an impact on the number of children and young people submitting requests for Education Health Care Plan (EHCP). 2)            An option is that the Council could decide not to continue with this development plan. However, the concern is that as result the Council would not be able to comply with its legal duties in relation to SEND. Therefore this option is not recommended.

Date of Decision: June 11, 2025