The Director for Children, Families and Education presented the report which introduced the improvement programme for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) for the Local Area in Wirral. The report explained the rationale for establishing the Local Area SEND Partnership Board in April 2024, its purpose, how that was delivered, and provided an update on activity and progress to date. The Local Area SEND Partnership Board was accountable to the Health and Wellbeing Board for delivery of the Written Statement of Action (WSoA) and SEND Improvement Plan as agreed following the Improvement Notice for SEND, which was issued to Wirral Council by the Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing on 15th May 2024. It was explained that a report would be brought to each future meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board and progress would be tracked on a monthly basis. It was explained that progress would be monitored on each of the 10 areas identified in the SEND Improvement Plan and these actions are expected to be delivered by October 2025. It was highlighted that a recovery plan for EHCP’s had been approved and a plan to increase the capacity of the educational psychologists and the statutory SEND assessment team had already been agreed.  A recovery plan for SALT in the neurodevelopmental pathway had also been put in place.

Members suggested including a range of providers and representation of children and young people on the Board

Members asked about LIFE school. It was explained that a rapid review had been completed and a recommendation had been made to the national panel that Wirral Council would undertake a child safeguarding practise review and this was expected to be supported. An independent reviewer would then be appointed to complete that review which would be published.

Members discussed early interventions which would mean that less children would need EHCP needs assessments and statutory plans.

The Chair proposed an addition to the recommendation to state that: It is recommended that the Health and Wellbeing Board notes the SEND improvement delivered though the Local Area SEND Partnership Board and requests that the SEND Partnership Board reviews its membership with a view to include representation of Primary Care and NHS partners on the board.

This was seconded by Dr Abel Adegoke and agreed by assent.

Resolved: That

1. The Health and Wellbeing Board notes the SEND improvement delivered though the Local Area SEND Partnership Board and requests that the SEND Partnership Board reviews its membership with a view to include representation of Primary Care and NHS partners on the board.