Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Education and Learning.

That the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Strategy 2024-27 be approved.

Reason for the decision:

To ensure the council has a robust strategy to provide good outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. This is within a challenging national context.

The SEND Strategy 2024-27 was introduced by Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills. The strategy aimed high for children with special needs. There were delivery plans beneath the strategy which would help deliver and monitor it.

In response to a question on the statutory overrise for the High Needs Block, the Executive Director for Corporate Development explained the council’s current financial position and what would happen to the council’s finances if this was not extended. There was a long-term recovery plan to reduce the deficit and conversations with the Department for Education to extend this over a longer period.

Members asked for updates on progress to Osprey Quay school and Mountjoy school. The Corporate Director for Education gave a brief update on these schools and committed to update members regularly on the development of Osprey Quay school.

A member queried the risk assessment being identified as low risk. The Corporate Director for Education assured that the risk of approving the strategy was low, however the financial risks caused by the high needs block were high.

Proposed by Cllr C Sutton, seconded by Cllr S Robinson.

Decision:

That the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Strategy 2024-27 be approved.