Councillor Paul Rochford, Cabinet Member for Children & Learning, introduced the report.

The report before Cabinet sought in principle approval to expand post-16 provision for young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (“SEND”).  If granted, further approval would be sought from Cabinet of a final proposal once location and development options have been explored in more detail.

The report explained that demographic trends and changes in the type and complexity of learning difficulties had led the Council to review the size and suitability of its existing post-16 provision.  Analysis of current pupils aged 11 to 15 years at the borough’s three special schools, and of school/college destinations at age 16 over the last three years had taken place.  The results correspond with concern voiced by a small number of parents of children with SEND that the Council was not making sufficient or appropriate provision for their children from age 16.  .

Discussion and analysis had taken place through a strategy group over the last 18 months, in conjunction with parent representatives.  Views had also been welcomed from head teachers of the borough’s special schools, as well as colleagues across Children’s Social Care, Learning & Achievement, Adult Social Care and Health.  Young people had also been consulted on what they thought post-16 provision should be like.

Providing additional in-borough provision for a small number of 16-19 year olds with high levels of SEND would require significant investment but would have numerous benefits.  Primarily, by creating a continuum of appropriate and local provision, young people would be able to remain in their home environment rather than potentially travelling to out of borough provision.  By ensuring that these young people maximise their potential for independence, it would not only improve their quality of life and long-term outcomes but it was also anticipated that they would require less support from Adult Social Care in the future as a result.

Reasons for the decision:

The Council has a duty to provide suitable education for young people with SEND.  While existing local post-16 provision is very good, it was acknowledged that there were a number of young people whose needs were not profound enough for Ravensbourne to be appropriate but who would not yet be able to access Havering College.

The Council should respond to the changing needs of its young residents with SEND and prepare to meet the demands of demographic predictions.

Out of borough provision for those whose needs could not be met in Havering was costly and could not be guaranteed in future years as those boroughs would meet their own local demand before making places available to other local authorities.

Capital investment would enable future demand to be met appropriately.

Other options considered:

Do nothing: This was rejected for all of the reasons set out above.

Cabinet:

1.    Gave in principle approval to the development of new post-16 provision in Havering for 16-19 year olds with special educational needs and/or disabilities by September 2015.

2.    Approved the “Post-16 Strategy for young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities”

3.    Noted that the financial consequences of this proposal would be addressed as part of the 2014/2015 budget setting process.