Agenda and draft minutes

None.

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the meeting held on 6 December 2023 be confirmed and signed by the Chair. 

To receive an update on actions for improvement following the OFSTED/CQC inspection into SEND provision in March 2023.

The Committee received a presentation from the Director: Education & Skills and the Service Delivery Manager: SEND & Personalisation on the Ofsted and CQC SEND Area Inspection Improvement updates. The Director: Education & Skills informed Members that the inspection included a review of the services provided by partners such as the NHS and the Police and focused on how education, health and care met the needs of children that were recognised as having a special educational need or required SEND support.

Members were informed that the inspection took place in March 2023 and it had been called following a new inspection framework published in January 2023. The inspection highlighted that the local authority had been ranked 8^th nationally and 1^st in the West Midlands. The inspection focused on children and young people aged 0 to 25 year olds.

There were three potential outcomes as a result of the inspection and Members were advised that the best outcome would acknowledge how young people were being supported and that the arrangements in place had resulted in positive experiences. The worst outcome of the inspection would highlight a failing of the system to support young people with SEND needs. Members were informed that the local authority and system partners received the best outcome possible. The presentation summarised that inspection found that SEND arrangements typically lead to positive experiences and outcomes for young people with SEND needs. It was highlighted that where there were improvements or actions that needed to be taken, the relevant teams had already begun work to address these. The report also recognised the passion and determination of local partners to support young people with SEND and disability needs.

In terms of the OFSTED and CQC reports, the presentation highlighted that the local authority and partners offered a wide range of accessible services across schools and academy trusts in the Borough. The provisions provided ranged from physical support, psychological and emotional support for individuals with SEND needs. It was discussed that SEND support was extended to the post-16 cohort and that individuals classed as SEND were given support to life after education. It was also highlighted that this included support with transition from children to adult social care services.

The inspection highlighted two areas of improvement for the system in the local area. These were to improve the governance, monitoring and oversight of diagnostic pathways for children and young people with SEND to ensure that their needs were assessed and met in a consistent and well timed manner. Other improvements from the inspection included the need for Partnership leaders to improve communication with families, beyond the formal consultation routes, to share effective information and advice about the provision available to children and young people with SEND. Each of these improvements have been published as part of the updated action plan to reflect the local offer for those with SEND needs.

In terms of improvements, there had been some actions already implemented to address this. This included working more closely with parents in  ...  view the full minutes text for item CYP21

To review the updated Work Programme for the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee.

The Democracy Officer (Scrutiny) presented the updated work programme to the Committee. Members were informed of the addition of a new item on the work programme from the last Keeping in Touch Meeting between the Chair and Officers which was to receive an overview of the work of Children’s Services that had taken place in the last year. It was also highlighted that the item would provide a review of the current achievements of the service area and future steps. Members were informed by the Chair that if Members had any further suggestions for the work programme to contact the Scrutiny Officers.

The Chair informed the Committee that the next scheduled meeting would take place on 17 April 2024.