The Committee considered the report of the Director of Children’s Services which indicated that on 11 July 2013, Cabinet approved new home to school transport policies including a new approach for pupils with Special Educational Needs and/or Disability (SEND). Cabinet also approved a change to the original budget savings arising from the Post 16 SEND policy, resulting in a savings shortfall of £560,000. It was resolved that the remainder of the savings would be met through a range of demand management initiatives  (Minute 35 refers).

The report indicated that the Council had commissioned iMPOWER consultancy to carry out a review of SEND Transport to identify new ways to meet the budget reduction of £560,000 and to assist in taking forward existing plans. The SEND review report is provided to the Committee for review. This demand management approach directly addresses the Council principles. Through it we will promote independence working to equip families with the tools and knowledge to make the best choices, and drive aspiration and achievement in young people.

iMPOWER carried out a review of SEND Transport from September to December 2013. This was to support the Council in identifying new ways to meet the budget reduction of £560k in relation to the new policy changes and to assist in taking forward existing plans.

The review findings included the extensive work carried out by the Integrated Transport Unit in recent years to increase efficiency in the SEND transport service which has resulted in a low average cost of transport per SEND pupil. From September 2014 the introduction of new policies and the introduction of new Independent Travel Training (ITT) will reduce overall transport costs by reducing the numbers transported.

The iMPOWER analysis indicated that due to the efficiencies already in place and the plans being implemented related to the new policy approaches, the £560,000 saving gap could not be closed through transport measures alone. Instead the underlying demand drivers require addressing. These include the high statementing rates (Wirral has 20% higher rate of SEND than statistical neighbours) and the high proportion of students attending Special Schools (10% of Wirral schools compared with 4%, 4% 5% for statistical neighbours, England and North West respectively).

In addition the review puts forward recommendations for reducing transport demand and findings from consultation with service users.

The review report was attached as an Appendix to the report.

Mr David Armstrong, Deputy Chief Executive/Head of Universal and Infrastructure Services introduced the report and outlined the Executive Summary detailed within the review.

At this point in the meetimg, Councillor T Norbury declared a personal interest in the item by virtue of a relative being a recipient of the specialist transport service.

Mr Armstrong indicated that the Department had been pleased with the recommendations provided as it was felt that this reflected the requirement of the services users.

Members raised concerns regarding the comments made by the consultants who indicated that the Council should take a bolder approach to reduce the number of statemented children. In response, Ms Julia Hassall, Director of Children’s Services indicated that the focus must be on meeting children’s needs and that one of the implications of the new Children and Families Act about to be implemented in September 2014, is that Authorities will be required to move away from the language and practice of statements and in future assess children’s education, health and care needs, resulting in a plan where required, enabling children to be as independent as possible with full support of the local authority and it’s partners.

Regarding the SEN transport review, Ms Hassall indicated that there was possibility that a pilot would be undertaken in September 2014, which would support children with travel trainers, to use mainstream transport.

It was noted that a report outlining the implications of the Children and Families Act would be submitted to a future meeting.

In response to a Members comment regarding the effectiveness of the review undertaken, Ms Hassall indicated that the review undertaken by the consultants had proved useful and provided the Department with suggestions for improvement; it also provided useful benchmarking analysis against other local Authorities. The Consultants also engaged with parents and got some excellent feedback, which would now be used to shape the service going forward.  Mr Armstrong further indicated that without the review, there was no way of knowing how Wirral faired against other Authorities, the consultants also gave the department some advice and guidance to consider for the awarding of future contracts.

Ms Clare Fish, Strategic Director of Families and Wellbeing indicated that Wirral had been able to draw on the consultants experience and knowledge of other authorities which had enabled the Council to shape and improve its services; the consultants were also able to demonstrate the effective way in which they had engaged parents, which was something the department would be able to draw from.

Following a moving of a motion by the Chair. The Committee adjourned at 7.25pm for a period of five minutes to allow the Chair and Spokespersons to discuss appropriate wording of the Motion to be proposed.

The Committee resumed at 7.30pm

On a Motion proposed by the Chair, seconded by Councillor M McLaughlin it was

RESOLVED: That

(1)  the Committee commends the work of the Integrated Transport Unit in achieving a low average cost of transport per SEN pupil and welcomes increased options for independent travel where suitable;

(2)  Committee reaffirms that the professional decisions of medical and educational specialists are the determining factor in Education Health and Care Plans; and

(3)  Committee calls on the Cabinet Member to ensure that all children will receive the education and support they need in the setting which is most appropriate.