Agenda and minutes

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)

There were no late items.

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests declared to the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were submitted Co-opted Members, Ms J Hazelgrave, Mrs S Hutchinson and Ms K Jan.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 17 December 2015.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 December 2015 be approved as a correct record.

To receive a joint report from the Head of Complex Needs Service and Head of Learning Improvement as part of the Board’s Inquiry into ‘Preparing for the Future, Supporting Special Educational Needs and Disabled Young People’.

The Head of Complex Needs Service and Head of Learning Improvement  submitted a joint report as part of the Board’s Inquiry into ‘Preparing for the Future, Supporting Special Educational Needs and Disabled Young People’.

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Executive Board Member (Children and Families)

-  Councillor Jane Dowson, Deputy Executive Member (Children and Families)

-  Nigel Richardson, Director of Children’s Services

-  Barbara Newton, Head of Complex Needs Service

-  Andrew Eastwood, Head of Learning Improvement

-  Maxine Naismith, Head of Service, Adult Social Care

-  Barry Jones, Area Lead (Complex Needs)

-  Sally Lowe, Partnership Manager 14-19.

The key areas of discussion were:

·  The need to improve tracking of the destinations of individuals with SEND aged 25 and above to reflect on the success of the pathways supported and quality of service. The Board was advised that the Children and Families Act reforms came into being in September 2014, the need for data development had been acknowledged and a scoping exercise was underway.  It was suggested that the Board be provided with an update on this.

·  Tracking information monitored by the Transitions Team.  The Board requested a copy of the tracking data.

·  Concern regarding the robustness of NEET data due to categorisation issues and the need to develop effective solutions regarding this.

·  The role of schools in supporting SEND young people with information advice and guidance.

·  Concern regarding the impact of the 2016/17 budget on the level of support provided by the Connexions service to SEND young people.

·  Future commissioning and the role of SILCs and colleges in relation to developing pathways to meet aspirations.

·  Confirmation regarding funding arrangements.  The Board was advised that the placement value was £10k for a young person with an EHCP and £4k for a young person without an EHCP.  Additional learning support funding was also available where criteria was met.

·  The importance of a varied curriculum to support all young people’s needs.

·  Post 16 funding for 600 guided learning hours and the provision of 5 day support in SILC and other settings.

·  Employment pathways and the need to promote the support available to employers regarding the recruitment of young people with SEND and the challenges with transport.

·  Supported internships.  The Board requested an update on the supported internship pilot.

·  The importance of work experience for SEND young people for development.

·  The role of the Specialist Transitions Advisors and SENCOs in relation to specialist information, guidance and planning.

·  Concern about consistency in the conversion of statements to EHCPs.

·  The partnership arrangements within the Transitions Team, funding arrangements and the range of support available.  

RESOLVED – That the issues raised as part of the Board’s Inquiry, be noted.

(Councillor K Renshaw left the meeting at 11.55am, Mr A Graham at 12.00 noon and Ms C Bewsher at 12.05pm, during the consideration of this item.)

To agree the Board’s work schedule for the remainder of the 2015/16 municipal year.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which invited Members to consider the Board’s work schedule for the remainder of the 2015/16 municipal year.

The Board briefly discussed arrangements for the February meeting as follows:

·  Greater focus on transition from paediatrics to adult health.  It was suggested that representatives from health services be invited to attend the meeting. 

·  Also, a suggestion that representatives from Leeds City College be invited to discuss issues in relation to pathways and tracking.

·  An update that the February meeting includes an item on Universal Activity Funding, particularly focussing on delegation of responsibility and how resources were being spent.

RESOLVED – That subject to the above comments, the work schedule be approved.

(Councillor C Gruen left the meeting at 12.25pm and Councillor A Ogilvie at 12.30pm, during the consideration of this item.)

Thursday, 25 February 2016 at 9.45am (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.15am)

Thursday, 25 February 2016 at 9.45am (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.15am)

(The meeting concluded at 12.32pm)