Issue - meetings

Ms C Holden (Lead Commissioning Manager – Children’s), Mr M Walker (Interim Director for SEND and Disabled Children and Young People) and Dr D Jones (Interim Head of Educational Psychology) were in attendance for this item.

(1)  Ms Holden introduced the report which set out recommendations regarding the award of a contract to deliver increased capacity of Educational Psychology assessments. It had been identified that additional support was required and a contract was to be awarded to a service provider in order to clear a backlog of assessments.

(2)  Officers responded to questions and comments from Members and it was noted:

·       It was anticipated that the backlog of assessments would be cleared by March 2021, if the level of demand were sustained.  It was reported that the contract was for 1 year but there would be some flexibility around extending the contract.  There would be a minimum of 40 assessments per month from the provider but an average of 70 assessments per month was anticipated.

·       There was a national shortage of Educational Psychologists and difficulties in filling 10 vacant posts at KCC.  However, 3 permanent Educational Psychologists had been recruited and were starting in September 2021.

·       It was clarified for Members that ‘pieces of work’ referred to advice given outside of a full report being produced.

·       There had been a large increase in demand for Educational Psychology assessments since 2014 but core staffing had not been increased and locum staff had been used.  Early help and advice in the school setting would mean that some children’s needs would be met without an Educational Psychology assessment.

·       There was discussion around whether a Special Educational Needs group for Members should be re-established as the previous group was not well attended.

·       Dr Jones advised that he would report to Members what the longest waiting time had been for an assessment for an individual.

(3)  It was RESOLVED that the decision proposed to be taken by the Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services to:

(i)             Award a contract (or contracts) in order to deliver Educational Psychology Assessments on behalf of Kent County Council to support the reduction of waiting times for the service; and,

(ii)            Delegate authority to the Corporate Director for Children, Young People and Education, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services to take relevant actions, as necessary to implement this decision,

be endorsed.