Agenda item

Val White- Lead Commissioner, Schools, Skills and Learning, LBB

Feedback and Discussion

Val White, Lead Commissioner for Schools, Skills and Learning at LBB, informed the Board that the discussion of the implications for the partnership present an opportune moment to set priorities, review key goals with partners and to discuss the reshape of services in light of financial cuts.

Janet Mathewson, Head of Children and Young People’s Services at CommUnity Barnet, noted that following a diagnosis, it is important to inform families with children with SEN of the opportunities in accessing services including the local community and the voluntary sector. Ms Mathewson requested for the Board to consider the options for a multi-agency referral system and a single point of contact for forward referrals to relevant support organisations. 

The Board were advised of the importance of the up-to-date Early Support programme in Barnet to help families in Barnet in accessing services. Portia Kumalo noted the importance of considering the facilities to enable parents to plan towards growth and asked the Board to consider ways of achieving this. 

Judith Barlow, Associate Director Children of Family Health and Well-being Services (Central London Community Health Trust), commented that the Board should consider a constructive plan towards growth and setting out ambitions for families.

Jack Newton, Head teacher at Grasvenor Avenue Infant School, requested the Board to consider a consistent approach in the support for families and their children and to continue to share knowledge and experience with all partners. Ms White agreed with the comments expressed and highlighted the importance of a consistent approach towards enabling families to access as much support as possible. 

The Strategic Director for Communities at LBB commended the positive nature of the discussions. Ms Kennally advised that as a result of relative high number of tribunal cases, there is an indication that the service areas are under stress. To address the capacity challenges in context of schools, it is important to sustain high level of support through the lives of young adults.

Andrew Travers, Chief Executive at LB Barnet, highlighted the need for consistent support for families in order to help understand and effectively manage Personal Budgets. Ms Kennally noted that the Board consider a single plan to invest efforts and energy to support families and enable young persons to become independent. The Director for Family Services at LB Barnet, Nicola Francis informed the Board that it is important to consider the concept of growth in light of the provision of services beyond the age of 18.

In light of the proposals under the Children and Families Bill, Ms Kennally commented that the Board consider the work-streams for the Local Offer, EHC Plan and Personal Budgets- in particular the creation of a disability service team for the 0-25 group. 

The Chairman thanked the Board for the helpful and informative discussion and noted the opportunities for the partners to consider a consistent concept for growth and support for the 0-25 group.

RESOLVED for the Board to note the challenges and implications of the work-streams towards the preparation of the Local Offer, EHC Plan and Personal Budgets

RESOLVED for the Board to note the lessons learnt and consider the creation of a disability service team for the 0-25 group