A report providing the Committee with an updates on progress on implementing the SEND Strategy and the timetable for the development of the next Strategy.

Further to Minute 43 of the meeting held on 4 April 2019, the Director of Education, Brighter Futures for Children, submitted a report providing the Committee with an update on progress on implementing the Special Education Needs (SEND) Strategy and the timetable for the development of the next Strategy.  A table showing performance against Key Performance Indicators (up to September 2021) was attached to the report at Appendix 1, the SEND Strategy 2017-2022 was attached at Appendix 2 and an Action Plan for development of the SEND Strategy 2022-2027 was attached to the report at Appendix 3.

The report explained that a SEND Data Report had been co-developed to support identification of priorities and actions.  The data was provided annually and was used by all key partners to support the refresh of priorities and actions required to deliver improvements.  The full Data Report had been updated in autumn 2019 and was in the process of being updated for 2020.  The SEND Strategy had been refreshed in the light of feedback that had received and the co-produced SEND self-evaluation.  A graduated approach to meeting needs across the local area was being developed, providing support and guidance of what was expected to be delivered by universal services and at what point more specialist services might be required to provide further assessment, advice and support and/or more specialist provision.  The Strategy set out six key strands of work that would provide focus for delivery, the sixth strand, Preparing for Inspection, had been agreed in June 2020.

Resolved –

(1)     That all the work completed to date on implementing the SEND strategy be noted;

(2)     That the action plan for the development of the SEND strategy 2022-2027, attached to the report at Appendix 3, be agreed and a report on progress submitted to the Committee in Autumn 2021.