Agenda item

The recommendations are as follows:

viii.        To approve the proposed place numbers to be commissioned for 2018-19.

ix.           To agree to the proposed approach towards ARP top up values.

x.            To note and approve the draft HN budget as shown in Appendix C.

xi.           To note the outcome of the SEND Review and the specific plans for meeting needs through to 2025.

SJ presented a report on High Needs funding, particularly highlighting the fact that there are increased pressures on the High Needs Block. The report identifies where those pressures are.

The 2017/18 variance of £1.063m is as a result of local authorities being required to fund 19-25 High Needs pupils without additional income and additional place and top-up costs in special schools.

Special Schools - SJ highlighted the bandings in Special Schools and that there is no proposal to change these bands in 2018/19. However, there is a plan to increase places in some special schools. This will reduce the requirement to commission fewer as many places out of borough, thus providing better outcomes and value for money.

Additional Resourced Provision (ARP) - SJ stated that there will be some changes for 2018/19 relating to ARP funding. Autism in Barnet is the main presenting need with approximately 50% of children with SENDs having a diagnosis of autism. Additional ARP provision is likely to be needed to support these children.

SJ highlighted that the Special Needs Panel will be required to apply the criteria more stringently when deciding how funding is awarded across the bands.

ARP pupils will be funded through the National Funding Formula in 2018/19; meaning the AWPU and formula funding are increasing to ARPs. As a result of this change, without an adjustment the total place and top-up funding to ARPs would rise to a higher level than in 17-18, which is unaffordable going forward. The proposal is to reduce the value of the top-up to take account of the increase in core funding. The total place plus top-up allocation per pupil for the ARPs will remain the same as in 2017/18

SH queried if this is per child or per place. SJ confirmed that it is per child in place and that top-up funding follows the child.

SJ stated that the proposals on how to harmonise the top-up values by specialism will go to consultation between April and September.

Post 16 - SJ highlighted that a lot of scrutiny on Post 16 places has been carried out. He also advised that the authority is working closely with Barnet and Southgate College to include the implementation of a banding system, similar to the top-up bands currently applied to ARPs, Special Schools and Maintained Schools. Barnet has a significant number of placements at Barnet and Southgate College.

Barnet is applying scrutiny and value for money activity in all areas, including independent specialist providers. Any savings will be recycled into the High Needs budget in order to balance the 2018/19 High Needs block.

BF questioned if Barnet and Southgate College specialises in special needs provision only. SJ advised that it is a mainstream college as well as having a large Learning Difficulties and Disabilities (LDD) provision.

NT queried if there is a process to bring out of borough pupils back into Barnet provision. SJ confirmed that there is an annual review carried out for every child and family. With the new provision coming on stream, Barnet is hoping to provide families with a local option. Families are also encouraged to stay in-borough by providing them with an informed choice. On many occasions families go out of the borough because there is no local option.

GK explained that there is a particular problem with this age group due to lack of choice. SJ stated that there are going to be situations where Barnet cannot provide for all young people within the borough and would have to provide options outside.

SH questioned if independent providers set their own rates and local authorities have to pay them. SJ confirmed that it has often been like that across the country but that the scrutiny of their prices, whilst challenging, is something his team will do.

Places in Barnet Mainstream Schools - SJ highlighted some changes in 2018/19. Barnet would not have a separate budget for Exceptional Needs (new in-year High Needs pupils) and Medical Pathway funding. However, funding will be available within EHC plans with cases evaluated through the established assessment process.

Joanne Kelly (JK) wanted to know what happens in a situation where a young person has not yet been assessed through the EHCP but is finding it unable to cope. Schools will be unable to fund this as the EHCP process takes too long. SJ confirmed that if the request for assessment goes through to the SEN panel and if there is a significant risk to that young person during the assessment period, Barnet would consider an interim funding allocation.

Alayah Hirst (AH) asked if these would be looked at on a case by case basis. SJ confirmed that this would be the case.

Placements in Other Local Authorities - SJ mentioned that young people placed in Other Local Authorities tend to remain fairly static.

Independent and non-Maintained Schools sector top up funding - Barnet is expecting fewer placements in the Independent and non-Maintained sector. This is due to parents being given more choice in-borough and older pupils leaving the system.

Pupil Referral Units (PRU) - SJ reported on the PRUs providing a breakdown of numbers. The rates are currently being reviewed to ensure greater consistency in the top-up funding applied to PRU provision.

SEND Review - SJ reminded members of the review of Barnet`s SEND provision the purpose of which is to ensure sufficient places for children with SEND in future. A summary of the review is available to view online.

GK wanted to know how many children there are in Hospital Schools and if there is any recoupment from other Local Authorities where Children are placed in Barnet.  CG advised that Hospital funding and recoupment from other authorities is managed by the DfE.

JD wanted to know what falls within the category SEN therapies. SJ clarified that most of it is jointly commissioned with the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to deliver speech and language, occupational therapy and physiotherapy. JD also queried how the cuts in this budget impact on services provided and the position with the service contracts. SJ confirmed that the current contract and providers remain the same.  The providers may have made decisions to change the way therapies are allocated. SJ confirmed that the reductions are to do with the community element and that Barnet does not have a statutory requirement to provide this. The responsibility for this element lies with the NHS.

GK asked the Schools Forum to vote on recommendations (viii to x)

Recommendations:

(ii)        To approve the proposed place numbers to be commissioned for 2018-19;

(iii)       To agree to the proposed approach towards ARP top up values;

(iv)       To note and approve the draft HN budget as shown in Appendix I.

Schools Forum decision: Recommendations (viii) to (x); agreed unanimously.