Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies of absence were received Alex Parker

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as an accurate record.

This report updates forum on the 2023/24 outturn position on the Dedicated Schools pending retrospective Early Years Dedicated Schools Grant Funding adjustment for 2023/24

Tony Burton (Head of Finance for Children’s Services and Education) presented the item that covered the 2023/24 outturn position on the dedicated schools pending retrospective early years dedicated schools grant funding adjustment for 2023/24.

The Chair requested additional clarification regarding the plans for teachers pay awards and their likelihood of being implemented, Tony Burton mentioned that he had not received any updates on this matter. However, for non-teaching staff, the current offer was approximately 5%  which was expected to be finalised in the coming months.

RESOLVED

The schools Forum noted the report.

Schools Forum to note the current position and progress of the transformation programme across the High Needs Block (HNB).

Peter Haylock (Director of Education and SEND) provided a short presentation on the current position and progress of the transformation programme across the High Needs Block (HNB). This included the SEND vision, shared principles. And the progress to date over the past 12, including the next steps.

Michele Barrett expressed her concerns regarding early years and special schools’ placements for students with EHCPs. Peter Haylock noted that as part of the SEND sufficiency plan, options for special school placements were being reviewed. The initial resource provision and units were expected to be operational by 2025 to help address sufficiency needs. In addition, Peter Haylock noted that background work was underway to review the funding for mainstream schools EHCP support. Additionally, officers would continue to evaluate the impact of the EHCP annual review process.

The Chair suggested collaborating with the Heads (Primary and Secondary) from the SEN panels to review and improve the effectiveness of the EHCP support. Including some training opportunities.

Action: Peter Haylock

RESOLVED

The schools Forum noted the current position and progress of the transformation programme across the HNB.

RESOLVED

The work programme was noted.