Agenda item

To provide an update on the implementation of recommendations following the review of the boroughs SRP provision and the implementation of a proposed new banding tool.

The Forum considered a report which provided an update on the activity on two key areas of development.  Firstly, the implementation of recommendations following the review of the boroughs SRP provision.  Secondly to provide an update

on the implementation of a proposed new banding tool.

Nathan Jones shared that a lot was being done to review the Speech Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) provision at Meadowvale which appeared to be an underutilised resource.  Work was ongoing to understand what was happening.  There was a need to utilise the provision more effectively to justify the level of funding going forward. 

The Service Level Agreement (SLA) has been updated and sent out to all schools hosting SRPs.  Some minor changes had been suggested but overall there was a favourable response from Headteachers and leads.  The 50% requirement to access mainstream curriculum and the doubling of numbers due to 50% occupancy had been removed from the updated SLA. 

A desktop exercise had been completed to define the individual schools’ SRP offer.  This had been used to develop a consistent

approach to provide information which would be published on the Local Offer.  The department had also been developing a policy around admissions into SRPs and special schools setting out all the providers, the admission routes, and what needs were being catered for.

An extensive list of SRP training needs had been collected and was in the process of being collated.  There was some parity in responses and training would be rolled out to all SRPs.  There had also been some localised training on finance and Nathan felt that there was a good level of understanding now.  Further training would be offered in advance of any roll out of a new banding tool. 

Birch Hill and Owlsmoor had asked about additional capacity within their settings, and given the pressure on Kennel Lane, Nathan felt it was beneficial to explore that. 

Three secondary schools had submitted expressions of interest in hosting an SRP.  Nathan had arranged and undertaken site visits and would be working with the Headteachers.  Nathan had also had an initial meeting with the Headteacher at King’s Academy Binfield to look at how to bring the 40 SRP places online.  Some capital investment may be required to ensure that the spaces were fit for purpose. 

Nathan highlighted that he was in early discussions with Sandhurst School to develop a secondary transitional option for children moving out of Owlsmoor given the complexity of that cohort and the pressure on special school places. 

The Forum asked what the council had learned from opening the SRPs and what would be done to ensure that everything was in place when opening future SRPs.  Nathan replied that there was a need to spend more time at the start of the process to get things right, rather than trying to fix issues retrospectively.  Nathan had been running a formal procurement process for the current phase of establishing secondary SRPs. 

The Forum queried how many pupils were unplaced.  Neil Hoskinson advised that he was not aware of any unplaced pupils.  However, there were some parents who were electing to have their children educated at home, and some instances where special schools were saying that pupils were too complex resulting in those pupils staying in mainstream education.  Cheryl Eyre added that the SEN case officers had started their review of pupils with an Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP) who were due to transition in September 2023, to ensure that they had an identified provision.

The Forum noted that a peripatetic model may be beneficial; for example, having Speech & Language Therapy (SLT) provision which could move between schools. 

The Forum enquired whether the council was confident about the quality and number of places available for September 2023.  Nathan replied that he was not confident that all secondary SRP places would be generated by September as the level of build required may be substantial. 

Nathan updated that an event had been held regarding the potential new banding tool and there was a good turnout of Headteachers and Special Education Needs Co-ordinators (SENCOs) from across the Borough.  The potential new banding tool had been demonstrated, and attendees had provided valuable feedback.