Agenda item

Consideration was given to an Update on the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Inspection Re-Visit.

David Shaw, Assistant Director SEND provided the Committee with and overview of the report and progress to date which addressed the two remaining recommendations from the Written Statement of Action (WSOA) that had formed the priorities identified in the Accelerated Progress Plan (APP) being monitored by the Department for Education (DfE).

Following the inspection in September 2019 and identification of two remaining areas requiring improvement continued to be made in relation to area 3, Education Health and Care Plans and area 5 Exclusions and persistent absenteeism for children with SEN or disabilities.

The final draft of the APP was submitted to the DfE IN March 2000 including 6 and12 month milestones.

Following two formal review meetings a further meeting took place on 25^th June 2021 and the outcome was that based upon progress made, it was the opinion of the DfE and NHS England that formal monitoring via the 6 monthly progress reviews were no longer necessary.

It was reported that this demonstrated the clear and sustained progress being made through a strong partnership approach to co-production in Oldham.

In relation to ECH plans the main Education, Health and Care Plan Team continued to work effectively, co-productive work continued to take place across the partnership to provide challenging but constructive feedback to improve working practices and the quality of information included in the EHC plans. Quality standards continued to be reviewed and raised through an increasingly rigorous audit process completed in partnership with Education, Social Care and Health and the CEO of POINT.

Despite the introduction of a third lockdown, Oldham schools had been above the national average for children with an EHC plan or supported by a social worker, a strong multi agency approach had been a key strength to support this.

The positive impact on attendance could also be seen at various points following a full return to school in Spring and Summer 2021.

Work to improve the achievement, attendance and to reduce exclusions for Children and Young People with SEND had continued despite the turbulence of COVID-19 and overall exclusions had fallen during the Autumn term 202 and Spring term 2021compared with the same period the year before.

Members welcomed the report and asked how the service would keep improving. It was reported that monitoring with Key Performance Indicators, challenge, support and benchmarking would continue to take place.

Members dissed the Home to School Transport process and asked if the policy would be reviewed in relation to criteria, accessibility and parental choice. Members were advised the policy would be reviewed picking up lived experiences and challenges and this would be done in consultation with Andrew Robinson from POINT.

RESOLVED – That:

1.    The Local Partnership, for maintaining the significant ongoing improvements to equality and consistency of EHC plans being delivered and quality assured through effective partnership work be commended.

2.    The Local Partnership, for the strong positive focus on reducing absenteeism and exclusions at schools and settings, despite the challenges presented by the Coronavirus situation be commended.

3.    An annual update be provided to the Performance Overview and Scrutiny Committee during the start of each new academic year, so it can review and ensure the sustained improvement is maintained year on year.

4.    The Local Partnership and all involved in achieving and sustaining the significant improvements to ensure that formal monitoring is no longer necessary be congratulated due to the strength of governance and partnership accountability in place.