SUMMARY/PURPOSE
1.
To recommend the adoption of the Special Educational
Needs Strategy 2006 -2009.
BACKGROUND
2.
The Local Education Authority developed its first comprehensive
three year strategy for Special Educational Needs in 2001. The 2006 -2009
strategy builds on the progress made as a result of this document.
3.
The DfES have identified four key indicators in their
strategy, Removing Barriers to Achievement:
·
Early intervention
·
Removing barriers to learning
·
Raising expectations and achievement
·
Delivering improvements in partnership
4.
Confirmation of this progress made was agreed with the
DfES SEN National Adviser in January this year.
5.
The proposed Special Educational Needs Strategy sets
out the objectives to be achieved within the area of special educational needs,
together with action plan, covering 7 themes, over the next three years. The
plan ensures provision and resources for children and young people with Special
Educational Needs remains appropriate, focussed, offering value for money
within the existing budget allocation.
6.
This strategy is integral to achieving the five
outcomes within the Every Child Matters framework, and the Island’s progress
towards a Children’s Trust. In particular the contribution made to being
healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving and making a positive
contribution. Improved outcomes will be evident within commentary on the key
judgements made through the Annual Performance Assessment and through Joint
Area Reviews.
STRATEGIC CONTEXT
7.
The Special Educational Needs Strategy links in with
key strategies in the Children’s Services Directorate. In particular the
raising standards agenda.
8.
Acceptance of the Special Educational Needs Strategy
will allow Officers to continue the positive steps made in relation to special
educational needs.
CONSULTATION
9.
A consultation process was organised. School staff, officers,
parents and members of the public were invited to respond to draft proposals.
Responses, though limited (26 respondents over the Christmas period), were both
representative and strongly in favour of the actions proposed.
10.
A paper outlining the results of the consultation
process was presented to the Commission for Children and School Results on 1st
February 2006.
FINANCIAL/BUDGET
IMPLICATIONS
11.
The Local Authority invests significant resources to
support children and young people with special educational needs. Maximising
this investment is important in order
to make the most effective provision possible within existing allocations.
12.
The majority of the Action Plan Themes are cost
neutral as they either look at ways of redistributing finance currently spent
on special educational or they look at revising how current work streams are
allocated.
13.
Action Plan Theme 3a – SEN Monitoring – Scrutiny and
Complaints does have a cost implication. This will require a part time member
of staff to take on the reviewing and monitoring role. The funding for this
post has been identified from the existing Pupil and Student Services budget.
14.
Action Plan Theme 5 – Multi –agency cluster teams will
incur a cost implication. This is part of the Children’s Trust development and
will be identified as a part of this activity.
15.
Action Plan Theme 6a – Training and Development will
be made cost neutral by redirecting current training resources.
LEGAL
IMPLICATIONS
16.
There is a statutory duty to identify a plan to develop
Special Educational Needs provision, as well as a statutory duty to identify
the special educational needs of children. This plan fulfils those needs.
OPTION
17.
To adopt the Special Educational Needs Strategy 2006 -
2009.
EVALUATION/RISK
MANAGEMENT
18.
The Local Authority has a statutory duty in respect of
the Special Educational Needs provision addressed by this proposed strategy and
plan for the next three years.
19.
The Authority would be placed at risk if it did not
have a plan to meet this statutory duty.
20.
The review of the previous special educational needs
strategy/plan identified existing tensions between completing demands for
resources set against different aspects of government legislation. The
importance of working in partnership with schools was identified as a critical
element to the successful development of further provision for children and
young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
|
RECOMMENDATIONS
21.
That the Special Educational Needs Strategy is
adopted by Cabinet.
|
BACKGROUND
PAPERS
22.
Removing Barriers to Achievement – The Government’s
Strategy for SEN. DfES Ref No: DfES0117/2004
(www.standards.dfes.gov.uk)
23.
The final draft of the Isle of Wight’s Special
Education Needs Strategy 2006 - 2009
Contact
Point : Steve Laycock (Tel 533523)
[email protected]
|
PRUE
GRIMSHAW
Head
of Children and Family Service
|
COUNCILLOR
PATRICK JOYCE
Deputy
Leader, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services
|