Agenda item

1.    The report was introduced by Mrs Beverley Fordham, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, who outlined the challenges currently facing Educational and Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Services. She also set out her strategy to ensure assessment and support systems were available early in children’s development.

2.    Mrs Christine McInnes, Director of Education and SEND, provided details of the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of the report and established the status of the referrals backlog and the Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).

3.    In response to comments and questions from guests and Members the discussion covered the following:

• Mrs McInnes outlined the stages of the Specialist Resource Provisions (SRPs) and the resulting net increase of 55 new SRPs in the report. She stated the progress was dependent on capital funding, allocated annually with a prioritisation process.
• Mr Craig Chapman, Assistant Director - Fair Access and (Interim) SEN Processes, explained that the KPI target for EHCP waiting times of 20 weeks, was approximately 60% based on the average from the previous calendar year. As this target was being achieved, it was being reviewed and expected to increase.
• Ongoing research was taking place on the reasons for higher EHCPs throughout Kent, however a shift to make support available throughout a child’s development was emphasised by Mrs Fordham to reduce the overreliance on EHCPs to obtain support.
• Bureaucratic reforms in favour of streamlining processes, rather than reducing funding or staff numbers, were ongoing. A successful pilot was underway to minimise disruption during the transition of SEN children into SEN schools that was set to roll out in September.
• Ms Alice Gleave, Interim Assistant Director for SEND Operations, stated reports containing further data could be compiled and emphasised the ongoing systematic inquiries into the quality of EHCPs. Following a low-quality assessment of plans in 2022, development in quality assurance had occurred.
• Mr Chapman provided an overview of the reasons behind higher numbers of EHCP applications, highlighting the increased presence of SEN in the public consciousness. He discussed the monitoring of elective home education and the legal limitations that restricted access to home spaces. He also referenced the ceasing of EHCPs as a mutual agreement with parents, typically taking place during transition points.
• Regarding early years intervention, Mrs Sarah Hammond, Corporate Director Children, Young People and Education, established the timeline and research behind the development of the family hub. The importance of early development was also highlighted, specifically on investment in toilet training and hearing assessments.
• Concerning the Safety Valve on page 131 of the report, Mrs Fordham acknowledged the anticipated £10 million off the accumulated deficit position at March 2025. She addressed this issue of overspend, outlining measures to control provision and reduce outsourcing. Delays were also recognised in the funding of two new schools by the Department of Education (DfE), contributing to high costs.
• At the point of an EHCP needs assessment, schools were requested to provide necessary information and the response rates to this were high.
• Mrs McInnes provided context to the progression of reports and delays to discussions to ensure alignment with the forthcoming government White Paper.

4.    Following the questions, the Chair welcomed comments and views from the Committee about the report. These included:

• Several Members requested that future reports include additional data regarding ensuring quality of EHCPs, rationale behind EHCP application decisions, specifics of SEND and NHS partnerships.
• The importance of early intervention and building trust was emphasised, alongside development of technology to streamline administrative processes and ensure improved outcomes for children.
• Factors were explored to explain the disparity between numbers of children requiring SEN and numbers of EHCP referrals within Kent such as genetic factors.

5.    The Chairman proposed that the report be noted and requested that the quarterly SEND reporting be added to the work programme for the Children, Young People and Education (CYPE) Cabinet Committee.  The Scrutiny Committee would focus on the strategic issues regarding SEND provision in Kent and requested a report, at an appropriate time, considering why Kent had a disproportionately high number of EHCPs, what systemic factors were driving this and how it could be addressed.  The proposal was seconded by Mr Hood and agreed by the Committee.

RESOLVED that the Scrutiny Committee note the report and requests that quarterly SEND reporting be added to the work programme for the Children, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee. 

The Scrutiny Committee will focus on the strategic issues regarding SEND provision in Kent and requests a report, at an appropriate time, considering why Kent has a disproportionately high number of EHCPs, what systemic factors are driving this and how it can be addressed.