Paul Boyce, Director for Children, Families and Education introduced his report, taken in conjunction with the previous item, that set out a summary of the Local Area Special Educational Needs / Disabilities (SEND) self-assessment that had been contributed to by representatives from education, health and social care, as well as feedback from young people, parents and carers.

The Director’s report informed that the Self Evaluation Framework (SEF) was a document that provides an ongoing evaluation of how successful the Local Area was at meeting the needs of SEND young people as well as the impact of services. Three questions are used to enable the Local Area partners, young people and parent/carers and all stakeholders to objectively reflect impact. The questions were:

• How effectively does each service area identify children and young people who have (SEND)?
• How effectively does each service area assess and meet the needs of children and young people who have SEND?
• How effectively does each service area improve outcomes for children and young people who have SEND?

The SEF summary also linked with the four key priorities from the SEND Strategy 2020-24.

• To improve the quality of provision and outcomes for young people with SEND.

To do this the focus was on:

• Identifying needs at the earliest point and provide the appropriate support.
• Ensure that young people are ready for each stage of their school life and prepared for adulthood.
• Increase participation and engagement young people and their families. In doing so ensure that all changes to policy/processes takes account of the views of young people, their parents, and carers as well as professionals.

Members questioned the Director for Children, Families and Education on the content of his report, and the Director responded accordingly.

It was:

Moved by Councillor Wendy Clements; and

Seconded by Councillor Kate Cannon

and

RESOLVED - That

(1)  the SEND SEF Summary be noted; and

(2)  regular updates on the progress and impact to date around key priorities be presented to the Children, Young People and Education Committee.