Proposed decision
Approval of School Access Initiative (SAI) Policy and Procedure
Background
The County Council provides capital funding, the Schools Access Initiative (SAI), to improve access for disabled pupils to the maintained mainstream schools for which it has capital responsibility (community, foundation and voluntary controlled schools). It supports the implementation of the Education Accessibility Strategy.
The SAI Policy and Procedure outlines the process for allocating the funding.
What is planned
The SAI Policy and Procedure has been drafted. This will be consulted on prior to presentation to the Children’s, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee for approval in November 2024.
How the proposal will support Framing Kent’s Future 2022-26:
The proposal will support:
Priority 1: Levelling Up
Priority 4: New Models of Care and Support
How the proposal will support Securing Kent’s Future 2022-26:
The proposal will support:
Objective 2: Delivering savings from identified opportunity areas to set a sustainable 2024/25 budget and MTFP.
Decision type: Key
Decision status: For Determination
Notice of proposed decision first published: 23/08/2024
Decision due: Not before 23rd Sep 2024 by Cabinet Member for Education and Skills
Reason: To allow 28 day notice period required under Executive Decision regulations
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Education and Skills
Lead director: Christine McInnes
Department: Education & Young People's Services
Contact: David Adams, Assistant Director Education (South Kent) Email: david.adams@kent.gov.uk Email: david.adams@kent.gov.uk Tel: 01233 898559.
Consultees
Public consultation planned:
A public consultation will be held in the autumn of 2024.
Cabinet Committee consultation planned:
The proposed decision will be considered by the Children’s, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee on 21 November 2024.
Financial implications: Capital: Currently, £750,000 is allocated each financial year from the Annual Planned Enhancement Budget for SAI works. In 2024-25, the total budget for SAI works was £1.9m (including £1.2m of roll forward from previous years). This budget has been fully committed to projects due to be completed in either 24-25 or 25-26. Revenue: There are no additional revenue costs expected with this proposal. Implementation of the policy will be administered through existing resources.
Legal implications: Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 places a duty on local authorities to prepare a written accessibility strategy, for the schools it is responsible for, setting out how for disabled pupils it is increasing access to the curriculum, physical environment and information. It also places a duty on responsible bodies of schools (i.e. governing bodies and trusts) to prepare a written accessibility plan. The SAI Policy and Procedure enables the Local Authority to deliver its responsibilities under the Act by improving the physical accessibility of maintained mainstream schools, for which it has capital responsibility.
Equalities implications: Equalities implications: An Equalities Impact Assessment has been completed. As the SAI Policy and Procedure is intended to increase and improve the accessibility to education provision for children and young people with a disability. No adverse impact on protected groups has been identified at this point. This will be reviewed following consultation. Data Protection implications: None anticipated.