Cabinet considered the final report of the SEND Reforms Task and Finish Group. The Group had been appointed to scrutinise the implementation of the reforms relating to special educational need and disability introduced by the Children and Families Act 2014.
Councillor D Flude spoke on this matter as Chairman of the Task and Finish Group. Councillor Rhoda Bailey also spoke on the matter as Chairman of the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Both she and the Leader thanked Councillor Flude for her work as Chairman of the Task and Finish Group.
RESOLVED
That
1. Cabinet receives the Task and Finish Groups report;
2. Cabinet notes the following recommendations in the report:
(a) That the shortfall in provision, particularly for those with moderate learning difficulties and autism be addressed.
(b) That all schools be encouraged to welcome children with SEND.
(c) That working relationships between partners and the sharing of information continue to be improved, particularly in the production of EHCPs.
(d) That EHCPs be produced as a word document to enable all partners to amend them.
(e) That EHCPs avoid jargon, be written in plain English and celebrate what the child can do.
(f) That further training and support be given to all partners to ensure that referrals are complete and of a suitable quality.
(g) That systems need to be implemented and support provided to ensure parents are kept fully up to date on the production of an EHCP.
(h) That the Multi-Agency Moderation Panel and its processes be reviewed.
(i) That a Cheshire East accredited Educational Psychologist system be introduced to deal with and accept private reports.
(j) That a review of the specialist support services be reviewed to ensure that they are fit for purpose.
(k) That a review of the tribunal service be undertaken.
(l) That a further Task and Finish Group be established to investigate the local offer for 16 – 25 year olds.
(m) That Cheshire East explore an equipment store to be used by all schools.
(n) That early years providers be supported with the right knowledge, training and resources to identify children with SEN and apply for an EHCP.
(o) That further work be undertaken to promote personal budgets and a policy be introduced.
(p) That the Schools Forum be requested to investigate whether or not the allocation of funding with an EHCP and additional hours per child is adequate.
(q) That the Schools Forum be requested to review the distribution and methodology of funding.
3. the Portfolio Holder for Children and Families report to a future meeting of Cabinet with a formal response to each recommendation and that response be submitted to the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee.