Agenda item

DA provided details of the outturn position for the 2015/16 expenditure from the High Needs Budget and a forecast of expenditure for 2016/17.

The provisional figures showed an overspend of £821,822 in 2015/16 and a budget of £18,891,678 for 2016/17. Given the current financial situation DA indicated expenditure would be closely monitored.

One of the main changes between financial years was the loss of the place led elements for pre-16 Special Schools following Dycorts and Ravensbourne becoming Academies.

NE raised concern at the lack of High Needs support for pupils coming into Reception classes from a PVI setting. Schools were being advised that pupils required 1 to 1 support late in the day and were struggling to find staff to cover in the time available.

JW advised that the EY sector was struggling to cope as they receive little funding to deal with High Needs children. What good work is done with 1 to 1 support is lost when the child transitions to Reception because of the delays in getting adequate support.

CP (Head of Children and Adults with Disabilities Service) stated that Early Years support for children with High Needs was a target for the service and was concerned that parts of the service appeared not to be working.

She asked whether these children had been referred for an EHCP.

JW responded by saying lots of children were referred but it could take 18/24 months for this to be finalised. As a result very few children with an EHCP would be transitioning in to Reception classes.

MB advised that the PVI sector was finding it difficult to access SENCO and reaffirmed that it could take 18/24 months to go through the process.

CP acknowledged that there were a number of children referred into the Special Education system, some would be eligible for EHC plans but some would not.

JW felt that it was difficult to challenge behaviour in the last term before transition.

CP advised that the Council did have a 0-5 team who were involved in transition meetings.

JW stressed that the EY sector needs more funding and the three area SENCO’s could not cope with the existing demand.

NE felt that at the moment the Early Help system was not working, for various reasons. Even if a school had its own nursery, children were not getting plans until year 1 and therefore they were unable to provide 25 hours a week of extra support when needed.

CP stated that if there was a problem with the process we need to address that. If there is an issue with timing, outcomes and assessment where will the funding come from to address this?

MP explained that there was an increasing awareness of the High Needs Block and growing pressure. If more resources were to be allocated to EY the funding would have to come from other areas within the block.

DA acknowledged that EY was a priority but this was not the only area of pressure on the High Needs Block. There was also pressure to fund higher costs of placements, reviewing special school funding and for schools that take a disproportionate number of pupils with Special Needs.

Before we move forward we are awaiting the outcome of the High Needs review which was due for its second consultation. The Government had also promised more money for High Needs within the early years sector and that consultation was awaited.

MP advised that with the introduction of Additional Resources Provision in schools, the LA was moving to providing support in-borough rather than place children outside of the borough.

The report was noted.