Decision details

Proposed decision:

The Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services is asked to agree to approve the SEND strategy 2021 – 2024 and assign delegated decisions relating to the commissioning of county wide solutions to deliver against the strategy to the Corporate Director for Children, Young People and Education.

When OFSTED and CQC undertook their inspection of services in early 2019, they highlighted that too many children and young people with SEND do not get the support they need in Kent. A Written Statement of Action was developed and an improvement programme initiated to respond to the inspection and improve the outcomes for children and young people with SEND in Kent.

A SEND strategy has been drafted, building on the previous strategy which was published in 2017. The new strategy has been jointly developed by Kent County Council and the NHS in conjunction with children and young people, parents and carers, Kent PACT and other key stakeholders.

Reason for the decision:

The SEND strategy is a county wide strategy effecting all electoral divisions. It will shape the delivery of SEND services across the county, and is a key deliverable for the Written Statement of Action.

Background:

The SEND strategy 2021 – 2024 builds on the work of the previous SEND strategy which was published in 2017. It has been jointly developed by KCC and the NHS, in conjunction with children, young people, carers, parents and key stakeholders throughout the SEND programme.

Views were gathered through a number of co-production events in February 2020, parental surveys, working jointly with Kent PACT as well as through all workstream activities which have informed the development of the strategy.

The SEND strategy has been developed alongside the activities within the Written Statement of Action, but goes beyond the inspection (from Ofsted and CQC) and sets out the priorities for the next 3 years.

Once approved, this strategy will support the inclusion of all children and young people in Kent.

Options (other options considered but discarded)

None. The previous Kent strategy has expired.

How the proposed decision meets the objectives of ‘Increasing Opportunities, Improving Outcomes: Kent County Council’s Strategic Statement (2015-2020)’

Approval of this strategy cements Kent’s intent and ambition to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND in Kent. It will set the strategic framework for the delivery plan, and will be measured through a number of indicators that are monitored through the SEND Improvement Programme as well as new joint governance with the NHS.

As Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services, I agree to:

i)               the adoption of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Strategy 2021 – 2024

ii)    delegate decisions relating to commissioning of county wide solutions (under the value of £1m) to deliver against the strategy and its associated activities (including the support the delivery the County Inclusion agenda through the High Needs funding block) to the Corporate Director for Children, Young People and Education.