UPDATE – 7 September 2020:
At this point in time the decision to establish two 16 place Specialist Resourced Provisions (SRPs) for Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at Garlinge Primary is not in a position to be progressed, and therefore this decision will be taken at a later date. However the decision to establish a 16 place Specialist Resourced Provision (SRP) for Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at Holy Trinity and St John’s CE Primary school, Thanet, will progress, following the Council’s agreed decision making procedure.
Background: Around 3% of the total school population for which the Local Authority is responsible for have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).The number of pupils in the Thanet District with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) in January 2019 was 1,369. This was an increase of 12.8% from 2018. This was higher than the national increase of 11%. As at January 2019, 4.8% of the pupils aged 5-19 years in Thanet (maintained and independent) were subject to an EHCP. Pupils with an EHCP in Kent are less likely to be educated in a maintained mainstream school than would be expected nationally. The establishment of SRPs attached to mainstream schools is part of the continuum of provision to enable pupils to be included within mainstream settings.
A number of students with an EHCP require higher level of support than can be provided in mainstream schools, but their needs are not so complex that a special school placement is appropriate. For these students we maintain a range of Specialist Resourced Provisions (SRPs) which are based in mainstream schools with places reserved for students with an EHCP.
Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) remains the most common primary need type with 40% of children and young people aged 0-25 years having an EHCP with this primary need identified. This is significantly higher than the national figure of 29%
Currently there are no SRPs in the Thant district for primary aged children for ASD.
Options: Options regarding the establishment of SRPs has been fully investigated with the SEN team and Garlinge Primary School & Nursery and Holy Trinity and St Johns Primary School were considered to be the best options to create an SRP for ASD for 16 children at each school. Both school’s governing bodies are fully in support of the proposals and creating two provisions will enable choice for parents in Thanet with a child who requires additional support from an SRP provision.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Affects more than two Electoral Divisions;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: Birchington & Rural; Margate;
Notice of proposed decision first published: 05/05/2020
Decision due: Not before 24th Sep 2020 by Cabinet Member for Education and Skills
Reason: In order that the proposed decision can be published for a minimum of 28 days, in accordance with statutory requirements
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Education and Skills
Lead director: David Adams
Department: Education & Young People's Services
Contact: Marisa White, Area Education Officer - East Kent Tel: 03000418794 Email: marisa.white@kent.gov.uk Tel: 01227 284407.
Consultees
A consultation for both proposals took place from 11 March 2020 to 6 May 2020. A drop-in information session was arranged for 21 April at Garlinge Primary School and 28 March at Holy Trinity and St Johns CE Primary School. However due to the current Covid-19, social distancing and the closure of schools to all but keyworker and vulnerable children, the drop-in sessions have been cancelled. Consultation documentation can be found at
https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/school-consultations
A report was considered and endorsed at the Children’s, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee meeting on 26 June 2020 and again on 22 September 2020.
Financial implications: Feasibility studies have been carried out at both schools to develop the proposals for the establishment of the SRPs. Garlinge Primary and Nursery School: The feasibility estimates the costs for this proposal to be £895,627. The proposal is for a new two classroom extension with care facilities and small group rooms. The CYPE Cabinet Committee report will confirm the costs as the concept designs are prepared and surveys completed for the planning application. Holy Trinity and St Johns CE Primary School: The feasibility estimates the costs for this proposal to be £532,644. The proposal is to refurbish a building which is currently used for SEN interventions and was once the on-site nursery. It will include two classrooms with care facilities and small group intervention rooms. The CYPE Cabinet Committee report will confirm the costs as the concept designs are prepared and surveys completed for the planning application.
Legal implications: Any legal implications will be identified in the report to the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills before he takes his decision.
Equalities implications: An Equality Impact Assessment has been produced as part of the consultation process for both proposals and is attached. The assessment identified the following positive impacts: • Children with ASD in the Thanet district will be able to attend provision local to their homes. • Children with ASD will be able to attend SRP provision in mainstream primary schools in Thanet. • There will be two SRPs for Primary school aged children with ASD established in the in the Thanet District. No adverse impacts were identified during the assessment. The outcome of the public consultation and community consultation will enable the Local Authority to test out these assumptions.