Agenda item

To consider a report from the Head of Democratic Services that presents for agreement an inquiry report following the Board’s scrutiny inquiry into the provision of EHCP support in Leeds. This takes account of comment and suggested amendments at the meeting held on 27 March 2024.

The Board considered a report from the Head of Democratic Services that presented, for agreement, an inquiry report following the Board’s scrutiny inquiry into the provision of EHCP support in Leeds. This also took account of comment and suggested amendments at the meeting held on 27 March 2024.

In attendance for this item were:

·  Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Executive Member for Economy, Culture, and Education

·  Julie Longworth, Director of Children & Families

·  Dan Barton, Deputy Director – Learning

·  Phil Evans, Chief Officer Transformation and Partnerships

·  Rob Clayton, Principal Scrutiny Adviser

By way of introduction the Executive Member for Economy, Culture, and Education noted the ongoing work being done by the directorate to clear back logs and the wider work to improve processes in the future. The Executive Member also noted ongoing correspondence with Government around funding for children with SEND in Leeds and disparities with children living elsewhere in the country. It was highlighted that the correspondence from Government acknowledged that the funding formula being used was designed like that and that the funding disparities were a part of that and not an accident or an unintended consequence of the formula. It was agreed that the latest correspondence from Government would be shared with the Board following the meeting today.

The Board has identified funding issues as one of its recommendations in the inquiry report and it was agreed that as a follow up to that a letter from the Board would be sent to the Government setting out concerns in Leeds and the need for a review of the formula, this will be sent to Board members for comment before being issued to the Government.

The Chair noted attendance from the Leeds Parent Carer Forum (LPCF) observing the meeting from the audience, following the evidence put forward from them during the inquiry. The Chair also thanked the LPCF for their contributions and their ongoing work in this area.

Following questions and comment from Board members the following discussion took place:

·  Members noted the recommendation around input and co-production from families and the need for this to be central to future work. The Chair noted ongoing plans to have a representative from the LPCF on the Board as a co-opted member.

·  Board members also noted the recommendation on digital EHCPs and stressed the need for accessibility for all residents albeit that digital would be suitable for most people.

·  Board members highlighted the role of the LPCF in the inquiry work and how the care they had for their children had shone through in the work carried out by the Board. It was therefore necessary for the inquiry recommendations to be focussed on and delivered sequentially to improve services for parents, carers and their children and young people.

·  The Board heard of ongoing work by the directorate on communication between senior leaders and the LPCF and of the commitment to a ‘you said, we did’ approach to delivering change and improvement and a clear commitment to co-production of services. As part of this an event is being planned for the Summer to hear feedback from parents and carers which will inform self-evaluation processes.

·  On digital approaches it was acknowledged that accessibility will be key and that digital approaches will be part of a suite of options to access services. It was also hoped that digitisation will assist the service in reducing bureaucracy and accessing real time information, but accessibility is a key consideration.

·  The Board supported the parent and carer centred approach set out in the inquiry report but also noted the need for support for some parents and carers to be able to provide feedback due to, for example, language barriers. It was also noted that the recommendation around casework support could add value in terms of elected members being able to support residents.

·  Board members welcomed the commitment to communication at strategic levels but also sought to ensure that communications were better at lower levels to ensure that parents and carers are aware of the process and what comes next. In response the Board heard about increased demand and the increased output from SENSAP services in terms of completions of EHCPs but even with that timescales have been a challenge. It was also noted that there is a culture issue and that parents need to be supported effectively rather than feel as though it is a battle to get an EHCP.

·  The Board heard that whilst there are challenges in meeting the demand for services there is really good work and ongoing staff commitment to improve services in the SENSAP team. Whilst services will be improved it should not be forgotten that colleagues working in the team are striving to meet demand levels and are committed to their work and service improvement.

·  The Board asked about availability of suitable places and support staff to support children and young people of SEND and the problems that schools have in meeting needs and resultant challenging behaviour when schools are unable to meet needs. In response the Board heard that the message from schools supports the view that there is a challenge in this area that is leading to issues with staff and teacher retention. It was noted that mainstream schools are struggling to meet needs and work is being developed to provide more specialists provision, working in partnership, to meet needs, this is being planned for availability in September which may assist in relieving some of the pressure. It was noted that a collaborative and child and carer focused approach will be important in the work moving forward. The Challenges being faced are difficult and working together in partnership, focussed on early intervention, will help in navigating the challenges being presented.

·  The Board also heard that whilst it is a challenging period there is evidence of good practice as well such as work at the West SILC to prepare young people with SEND for employment and a child who had an EHCP in Leeds qualifying to go to University.

·  Members also noted the difficulties being faced beyond SEND provision. In secondary schools there is a challenge around the suitability of the secondary curriculum which is leaving some children and young people feeling uncatered for and this is adding pressure to schools in terms of behaviour. It was thought that this could potentially be a piece of work in the 2024/25 municipal year subject to limitations around what schools can do in terms of varying their curriculums.

Resolved:

The Board:

a)  Agreed the inquiry report on the Provision of EHCP Support in Leeds and;

b)  Agreed that in line with Recommendation 11 in the inquiry report ongoing check and challenge should be a work item for the successor Board in 2024/25.