Decision Maker: Managing Director Children and Young People (DCS)
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Currently the SEND Team employs 4 agency plan
writers. Using this funding, the proposal is for the SEND service
to offer 1-year fixed term positions at Grade 6 to replace this
agency staffing.
The approval of 6 x fixed term posts (1x SEND Officer per
collaborative) at this grade would create a saving.
The existing agency staff will be required until the start date of
any new posts to ensure business continuity.
These will be fixed term contracts for one year only to clear the
current annual review backlog, with a forward plan that schools,
settings and other lead professionals will support. The LA
Officer’s will continue to attend the CLA and transition
reviews where LA attendance is statutory. There will be less of an
impact on the SEND Team in the following year. Additionally, there
are plans to test the digitisation of forms to apply for EHCP to
create a leaner system at the front and back end of EHCP
processes.
There is a new corporate performance report measure on annual
reviews
RESOLVED - That: Agree the approval of 6 x
fixed term SEND Officer posts
Option 1: No Action: Allow existing agency
contracts expire without an alternative solution, 1224 EHC plans
would remain at the insufficient standard defined by OFSTED at the
previous inspection. There will also be an impact on service users
as many currently have out of date plans and outcomes that are no
longer relevant. This will impact on the progress of the
child/young person as their outcomes are used to determine what
provision and support is required.
Option 2: Maintain agency cover. The SEND Team currently employs 4
agency plan writers.
Option 3: Agree the approval of 6 x fixed term SEND Officer posts
(1x SEND Officer per collaborative).
Option 1: No Action: Allow existing agency
contracts expire without an alternative solution, 1224 EHC plans
would remain at the insufficient standard defined by OFSTED at the
previous inspection. There will also be an impact on service users
as many currently have out of date plans and outcomes that are no
longer relevant. This will impact on the progress of the
child/young person as their outcomes are used to determine what
provision and support is required.
Option 2: Maintain agency cover. The SEND Team currently employs 4
agency plan writers.
Other reasons / organisations consulted
Finance, Legal, HR and Procurement
Contact: Anthony Shaw, Planning and Commissioning Manager 0161 770 3203 Email: anthony.shaw@oldham.gov.uk.
Publication date: 08/10/2019
Date of decision: 04/10/2019
Accompanying Documents: