James Backhouse, Assistant Director of Education introduced the report of the Director of Children, Families and Education which provided an update on the Special Education Needs and Disabilities services that supported young people in education.

The Committee was reminded that at its meeting in December 2020, it approved the SEND Strategy 2020-2024 and the subsequent SEND Improvement Plan aimed at addressed concerns with the service. The report detailed actions that were being taken as part of that plan, these included:

·  Recruitment of staff in the SEND assessment team to ensure completion of Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) assessments within the statutory 20-week timeframe.

·  A review of provision for young people requiring Special School placements for September 2021, with additional capacity being agreed to sustain the additional demand.

·  Short-term placements and additional long-term recruitment processes taking place to address the staff shortages being faced nationally in Educational Psychology, which were resulting in challenges in delivering assessments within the relevant time frame.

Members raised several concerns including the number of EHCP assessments taking place outside of the statutory timescales and sought further information on the outcomes of tribunals relating to children with SEND. A further discussion was had around the number of children requiring EHCPs and whether there was any benchmarking data that could be provided to committee. Further clarity was sought on the short-term solutions to address the capacity challenges in the Education Psychology team, where officers confirmed that locum support had been recruited and greater links had been made with the university for additional trainees.

It was moved by Councillor Wendy Clements, seconded by Councillor Kate Cannon, that –

“Having received the service update, the Children, Young People and Education Committee expresses its deep concern regarding the current position of the SEND service and the impact that this has upon families and children. The Committee requests a further update in three months on progress towards completing Education Health and Care Plan assessments within the statutory timeframe, seeking evidence of progress in this vital and statutory service for those Wirral families who need it.”

The motion was put and carried unanimously. It was therefore –

Resolved – That having received the service update, the Children, Young People and Education Committee expresses its deep concern regarding the current position of the SEND service and the impact that this has upon families and children. The Committee requests a further update in three months on progress towards completing Education Health and Care Plan assessments within the statutory timeframe, seeking evidence of progress in this vital and statutory service for those Wirral families who need it.