Issue - meetings

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of 15 July 2021.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Forum on 15 July 2021 be approved as a correct record. 

Arising from minute 185, updates on the collation of SEN data for the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment was expected to be presented to the Forum in January. 

Action: Cherry Hall

Arising from minute 186, the Chair asked Cheryl Eyre to update on the progress made in building partnerships and setting up the framework and processes as part of the High Needs Block (HNB) business change project.  The Chair also queried where the Sub-Group fitted into the arrangements.  Cheryl Eyre replied that the work was moving at pace and the team had worked throughout the summer.  Cheryl Eyre had met with Liz Cole and Debbie Smith and identified areas to move forward.  Following that meeting, Cheryl Eyre was asked to provide an update on the SEN team to all Headteachers which she had done.  Cheryl Eyre had agreed to meet face-to-face with all secondary school Headteachers on 24^th September to talk about the HNB; to hear what the issues were and decide how to work together to address the issues.  On the same day, Liz Cole had arranged a meeting with all the primary school Headteachers. 

Cheryl Eyre had met with Jenny Baker to talk about the HNB Sub-Group and how to progress the work.  On 24^th September, it was planned to bring together a task and finish group for this piece of work.  At that meeting, the group would identify an agenda for the work and agree the Terms of Reference.  They would then set two dates to progress the work.  The Headteachers had identified two topics to progress first: the specialist resource provisions, and the Matrix. 

Regarding other partnerships, Cheryl Eyre had also met with the Parent Carer Forum and SENDIASS (the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Services).  Cheryl Eyre was also due to meet with the PRU. 

Cheryl Eyre had been looking at the budget and trying to see where alignment was needed, whether it was fit for purpose, and whether they were targeting the right areas going forward.  There had been a good response so far by stakeholders and they were engaging well.  Cheryl Eyre acknowledged that there was a lot of work to do but the team was working in a process driven way.  Cheryl Eyre was expecting to be able to give a detailed briefing at the meeting of the Schools Forum in November. 

Action: Cheryl Eyre

Arising from minute 186, the update regarding the DfE funding consultation was on the agenda to be presented to the Forum under Item 5 (DfE Funding Consultation: Fair Funding for All).