Agenda item

7.1       The Head of Education: SEND and Safeguarding introduced the report, noting the legal requirement for a joint inspection of SEND services by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC). He commented that the inspection had taken place at a challenging time with high demand nationally in the SEND sector and that the report included lobbying work with central government as part of the national Change Programme to address key issues in the SEND system.

7.2       East Sussex was awarded the middle outcome with the inspection report noting inconsistent experiences and outcomes, which aligned with the self-assessment. An action plan had been developed in response to identified areas of improvement and work on this was underway. Another inspection was expected in three years at which point there would be an updated SEND strategy which would incorporate upcoming SEND reforms.

7.3       The Committee discussed and asked questions in the following areas:

• Waiting times for CAMHS – The Committee commented on the ongoing issues in relation to waiting times for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and challenges around recruitment and increases in demand. The Head of Education recognised the ongoing challenges with waiting times, including the availability of professionals and noted the work underway to provide support to families whilst they were waiting.
• Waiting times for wheelchairs - The Committee raised concerns about waiting times for wheelchairs and asked if there were performance issues with the provider. The Head of Education noted that this service was commissioned by the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and although there were no performance issues with the provider, there had been issues with funding due to increased costs for equipment. Interim funding had since been agreed to address this and the ICB had contributed to the action plan to address both waiting times for CAMHS and wheelchairs.
• EHCP caseloads – Councillor Clark commented that he had received a detailed response from CSD on Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) caseloads and expressed concern about staff levels to process new applications given the increase in demand. The Head of Education noted that high demand was a challenge for the department, however ESCC performed highly on its response times to EHCP applications. He also commented that the department was not always able to provide the service it wanted due to high caseloads, and it was currently unclear what the future framework for SEND would be. Once more detail was available, the department would be able to plan the resources needed.
• Post 16 support – The Committee asked about work to address the lack of provision for post 16 year olds noted in the report. The Head of Education informed the Committee that there had been a significant shift in provision for post 16 year holds over recent years with a reduction in level 1 and entry level courses at a local level. The department was working with providers to anticipate future need, develop new courses, and share information on the needs of current pupils through annual review processes. Work was also underway with parents and carers to develop commissioned post 16 provision for pupils with more complex needs and disabilities as some of the current options were limited.
• SEND support in schools – A question was asked about SEND support for pupils that did not meet the threshold for an EHCP but still required support. The Head of Education informed the Committee that approximately 20% of children had some form of SEND, however only 5% had an EHCP. Schools had a responsibility to provide a graduated response to meet need before statutory support was offered and it was hoped that government reforms would shift focus from statutory high-end support to a broad inclusive offer. There was concern about the number of children not attending schools in their local communities, which was impacting on their outcomes, and the department was working with schools to provide support and develop a clear expectation that every child is supported in their school, including targeted support for pupils with more complex needs. The national Change Programme was also placing a greater emphasis on mainstream inclusion. In response to a question on the pilot special school satellite class in mainstream schools, the Head of Education noted the first meeting was taking place that day. There was evidence of it working well in other authorities and an update could be provided to the Committee on the progress of this at a later date.
• School places for SEND pupils – The Committee asked if children placed in special schools were ever moved back into mainstream education. The Head of Education noted that whilst the department was keen for this to happen where possible, this was rare with parents often not wanting to move their children back into mainstream settings due to a lack of trust that this could provide the right support.

7.4       The Committee thanked officers for the report and requested an update on progress be brought to the Committee at a later date.

7.5       The Committee RESOLVED to note the report and to receive an update on progress of the action plan at a future meeting.