Minutes of the Schools Forum Sub Committee

Wednesday 10^th March 2021

Present:          Jenny Baker – Chair

Angela Fright

Debbie Smith

Gareth Barnard

Karen Davies

Kashif Nawaz

Keith Grainger – part attended

Marion Bent

Martin Gocke

Paul Clark

Richard Stok

Minutes:         Sam Morgan

Item	Comments / Action	By Whom
1	Apologies Apologies were recorded from Emma Ferrey, Liz Cole, Stuart Matthews.
2	Declarations of Interest None.
3	Confirmation of confidential location All confirmed.
4	Minutes of previous meeting There were no amendments or comments made.  Minutes were therefore approved.
5	Terms of Reference Circulated by KN and attached for information.
6 Q Q Q	Updates SRPs / SEMH provision KN presented on behalf of EF.  See presentation attached. · EF continuing work on College Hall next week. · Work continuing on Kings, making progress and remain committed to achieve SRP. · KN is attending a scoping meeting on the 11^th March for all schools involved.  There will be three breakout areas for Heads/SENCO/Bursars.  KN is optimistic for an end of March finish. KD – when will the children affected will be informed? KN – once the provision mapping has been completed, information will be shared at the earliest opportunity. RS – please confirm that the £7k per place is the same for all schools? KN – confirmed that this is correct. JB – is there anything the committee can do to support KN? KN – would appreciate help in sharing what a resource provision looks like / does.  It is hoped that there will be a Primary/Secondary representative on the panel to support what is needed at that level. JB offered support at the scoping meeting tomorrow however, KN confirmed that there are enough people attending and will share the outcome with JB.
7 Q Q Q	Funding Matrix JB reported on behalf of EF and the Matrix Task & Finish Group. The initial four funding options were discussed.  The group decided that Options 3 and 4 were feasible with changes to Option 4.  Final model will be rolled out for 2022/23 and would be put in place via the Annual Review process and/or partner agencies to moderate to ensure a fair and consistent process.  KLS / CH / GHC and UPS will model Options 3 and 4 on their own learners. MG – is the money spent on EHCPs are intended to stay the same? KN – the EHCP process has to have sufficient levels of resource in order to deliver appropriately and this needs to be the focus rather than savings, however, recognises the pressure on the HN block. PC – although it is important that a good level of service is achieved, there is still a £5m deficit this year, with a further £5m over the next 2 years.  Reductions in costs are necessary and we are looking at ways of reducing these costs. JB – at the moment the focus is on correct placement within the matrix rather than associated to the banding. MG – regarding money spent to keep children in Bracknell Forest, is the aim to keep costs neutral primarily? KN – halfway through the commissioning plan and over the next months will look at shaping future plans for the Borough. JB – regarding the PMLD/Physical, are there any plans for a specific learning environment? KN – the aim is to look at revised priorities for low incidence high needs over the next year. There were no further volunteers to join this Task & Finish group.
8 Q Q Q Q Q Q	Sufficiency Analysis KN shared a presentation (see attached).  KN noted that this should be viewed as provisional data. There has been a 14% increase on EHCPs 2019-2020 and 16% over the last 12 months.  Work is being done on why this is the case, as well as looking at the period of time EHCPs are maintained.  KN will share update at the next meeting. JB – will the need be broken down so that ASD is not always the primary need? KN – this is being looked at in more detail. GB – what is the criteria for in/out of borough?  KN – new appointment made, SEN Lead, whose main focus is the quality of SEN placements.   At the start of this academic year, there were 50 children without an appropriate place; this term there are 11.  KN would appreciate support in: - publicising challenges, - impact of the Mental Health team, - Preparing for Adulthood - clarity around admissions policy. KG left the meeting at 15:59 MG noted three points: 1. BFC Special Schools – includes costs for College Hall. 2. OLA Resource –the type of resource we should be looking at. 3. NMSS – collaborative work with other Las/any representations made to DfE? KN – due to the pandemic, a percentage has been added per placement to out of borough places.  There have been challenging costs.  KN has been in contact with Berkshire colleagues, there has been no collaboration as yet however, other authorities are keen to work with us.  KN meets with the DfE SEN advisor regularly and has raised the issue three times, unfortunately the DfE are limited in terms of power but KN’s concerns have been noted. JB – is there any update on SEN recruitment? KN – interviews for SEN Officers are next week (2 vacancies); Annual Review Officer vacancy.  Unfortunately, applicants for the Lead SEN role were not shortlisted but this role remains a priority. DS – is there any breakdown of when EHCP applications are made and received? KN – will share information when available.  To be added as a standing agenda item. MG – why is there such a jump in applications from 2019 onwards? KN – families have become well versed in the application process and the revised SEN Code of Practice.  Parental Preference also has a bearing.
9	AOB None
	Next meetings:  12^th May 15:15 – 16:30 30^th June 15:15 – 16:30 There being no further business, the meeting closed at 16:18pm.

Schools Forum Sub Committee

Action Plan

Item	Action	Responsibility	Completed Yes/No	Comments
06	EF to send draft document to MB.	EF	Yes
06	EF to circulate the HNFM document discussed with JB.	EF	Yes
06	KN to update following meeting with PC 21^st January.	KN	Yes	Within item 4
07	EF to consult with the two schools and update at next meeting.	EF	Yes	Birch Hill / Sandy Lane
08	KN to share more details on the transformation plan at the next meeting.	KN	Yes	Further update following
08	KN to forward commissioning plan to SM for circulation with minutes.	KN	Yes
08	EF to provide a specific update on SEMH provision at next meeting.	EF	Yes
10	KN to clarify specification for Holly Spring School.	KN	Pending	Discussions continue with Head – may be reconsidering their bid.  Will re-submit if necessary via KN first.
11	KN to provide definition of SRPs so that Primary and Secondary representatives can share these at the Secondary Headteacher’s and PHAB meetings.	KN – by the next meeting
12	EF to provide update on Banding Matrix discussions in reference to the Task & Finish Group.	EF
13	KN to organise Sufficiency Analysis update and ways forward by the relevant team members at the next Schools Forum Sub Committee meeting.	KN
14	Primary HT representative and Secondary HT representative to feed back to Secondary Headteacher’s group and PHAB about the challenges the SEN team are facing, the establishment of the Mental Health, training provided by the Local Authority on PFA outcomes for SENCOs and checking understanding of the admissions policy.	Primary and Secondary representatives
15	KN to provide update on SEN Team recruitment	KN