Purpose

The additional capacity will support the ongoing SEND improvement programme and completion of outstanding Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) reviews, particularly for vulnerable cohorts. Temporary resource is required to sustain the progress made to date and maintain service delivery whilst longer-term recruitment and workforce planning arrangements are progressed. 

Decision

That the Executive Director (Children and Young People), in consultation with the Executive Director (Resources and Partnerships), approves:

the continuation of temporary agency resource for two SEND Caseworker posts (1.6 FTE) for a further three-month period (from 2 and 5 July to 2 and 5 October 2026, respectively), to provide additional operational capacity within the SEND Team.

Alternative options considered

The option of not extending the temporary resource was considered but rejected. This would reduce the capacity available to progress outstanding Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) reviews, impacting the pace of improvement activity and increasing the risk of delays for children and young people, particularly those within vulnerable cohorts. The extension of temporary agency support also provides continuity and capacity whilst longer-term workforce planning and permanent recruitment arrangements are progressed.