Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Strategic Director - Children, Families and Adults

Members were invited to provide their final comments on the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) policy, building on the initial comments provided on 13 December 2012.

It was commented that the focus of the photographs in the document should be on the children and young people. With this in mind, it was suggested that the photograph on page 2 be changed.

It was suggested that as the SEND policy referred to children and young people between the ages of 0-25, the demographic data provided on page 11 of the policy should reflect this by not only referring to children aged 0-15.

A general point was made with regard to a perceived gap in support for those young people aged 19-25 who, it was argued, could be seen as too old for children’s services and too young for adults services. Pam Davies, Acting Principal Manager for SEN & Inclusion, reassured the Committee that the Council was aware of potential transition issues and had established a transition board as a result. Having heard this, it was still asserted that there seemed to be a disconnect between policy intent and practical application. Pam Davies suggested that she explore the issues around transition policies further and as a result, circulate a response to the Committee.

RESOLVED

a)    That the SEND Policy be noted and endorsed with the following suggested comments:

a.    That the pictures in the document be child focused and that the picture on page 2 be changed.

b.    That demographic data for children and young people aged 0-25 be included in the ‘context’ part of the report – not only data for children aged 0-15.

b)    That the Acting Principal Manager for SEN & Inclusion be requested to investigate issues around the effective practical application of children services to adult services transition policy and report the findings to the Committee.