The Education, SEND & Inclusion Cabinet Panel of Hertfordshire Council met on Tuesday 14 July 2026. The panel recommended to Cabinet the approval of a proposal to introduce a charging mechanism for schools voluntarily converting to academy status from January 2027. This mechanism aims to recover the majority of local authority costs incurred during the conversion process. A flat fee of £11,000 has been identified as an average cost, with exceptions for schools forced to convert by legislation or where the local authority deems it beneficial. The panel recommended delegating authority to the Executive Director of Children's Services & Education, in consultation with the Executive Member for Education, SEND and Inclusion, to review and update these charges annually. Councillor Ralph Muncer abstained from the vote.

Proposal to Introduce a Charging Mechanism for Academy Conversions

The panel agreed to recommend to Cabinet the approval of a proposal to introduce a charging mechanism for schools voluntarily converting to academy status from January 2027. This mechanism aims to recover the majority of local authority costs incurred during the conversion process. A flat fee of £11,000 has been identified as an average cost, with exceptions for schools forced to convert by legislation or where the local authority deems it beneficial. Authority will be delegated to the Executive Director of Children's Services & Education, in consultation with the Executive Member for Education, SEND and Inclusion, to review and update these charges annually. Councillor Ralph Muncer abstained from the vote.

The Voice of Young People - Services for Young People (SfYP)

The panel received an update on the current approach to capturing and embedding the voice of young people within Services for Young People (SfYP). The report highlighted the range of participation activities in place, including surveys, youth work projects, and the development of the Hertfordshire Youth Council (HYC). The panel noted the significant engagement achieved, with over 1,900 young people participating in surveys and structured activities in the past year, leading to improved confidence and wellbeing. The establishment of the HYC was supported, aiming to provide a county-wide platform for youth voice and influence on decision-making.

SEND Reform Plan

The panel was presented with Hertfordshire's Draft SEND Reform Plan, developed in response to the Department for Education's national programme. The plan outlines a three-year approach to reshaping the SEND system, focusing on earlier intervention and strengthening mainstream inclusion. Key initiatives include the development of the Experts at Hand model, which will provide specialist support directly to mainstream settings, and investment in provision capacity and workforce development. The plan has been developed with significant co-production from families, settings, and professionals. The panel was informed that the plan had been submitted to the DfE for assessment and approval, with funding expected to be released in Autumn 2026. Several risks were identified, including national workforce shortages and the scale of Hertfordshire's system, with mitigations in place to manage these.

Children Missing Education and Elective Home Education

An update was provided on the work of the Children Missing Education (CME) and Elective Home Education (EHE) teams, which have been integrated into the Virtual School since September 2024. The report highlighted significant improvements in service delivery, including increased capacity within the EHE team and a more robust oversight system. Data showed a decrease in the overall number of children out of school, with Hertfordshire's CME rate remaining below the national average. However, the report noted a rise in EHE numbers, with unsuitable home education being the largest contributing factor to CME in Hertfordshire. The panel heard about strengthened referral processes, partnership working with admissions and SfYP to support children's return to education, and the introduction of new initiatives like EHE coffee mornings and solution circles. The report also touched upon the upcoming Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act, which will introduce a statutory register for home-educated children.

The meeting concluded with observations on sustainability from Adrian England, Executive Member for Sustainability, who noted the panel's professionalism and the opportunity to align sustainability efforts with the work being done for children and education.