Decision

This Council recognises the
challenging situation faced by many families in Warwickshire
regarding SEND provision and recognises the need to prioritise
children and young people with SEND.?
 
The current financial situation
cannot continue forever and financially this Council is actively
considering ways in which we can more effectively control the
spiralling cost of SEND provision whilst ensuring that we are
meeting our legal obligations towards SEND children and families,
improving the quality and accessibility of SEND services, and
protecting the outcomes and life chances of the children and young
people who rely on them. As this is a national problem, we are also
urging the Government in Westminster to come to a timely decision
about funding SEND in Warwickshire before the statutory override
ends on 31 March 2028 and the financial burden overwhelms the
otherwise secure financial position of the Council.
 
This Council acknowledges that only
21.2% of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) are currently
being completed within the statutory 20- week deadline, far below
the national average of 50%. We recognise the distress this causes
families and commit to improving timelines and transparency in the
EHCP process.
 
That the previous
administration’s expansion of SEND Resourced Provision is now
starting to allow some pupils to remain closer to the community
they live in.
 
This Council:
 
1.    
Declares that the government's approach to SEND and Home to School
Transport funding is an emergency for the sector which is placing
unacceptable pressure on schools, families and the Council. The
urgency of the situation requires the Council to come together and
work cross-party to deliver for families with SEND children and
young people.
 
2.    
Agrees to write to the Secretary of State for Education urging them
to publish the upcoming Schools White Paper ahead of schedule and
seeking answers in relation to how the government proposes to deal
with the issues regarding SEND funding, and seeking a fairer
funding formula for the Dedicated Schools Grant and High Needs
Block.
 
3.    
Resolves to engage meaningfully with families, schools,
Warwickshire Parent Carer Voice and professionals and to ensure
that the voice of families is heard, and timely and high quality
support is provided, in pathways to SEND work and to report this
activity back to the Children and Young People Overview and
Scrutiny Committee on a regular basis
 
4.    
Recognises that prevention is also part of the solution in
providing extra support and considering how the delivery of
additional provision for special educational needs and family
support such as forest schools and outdoor education could be
prioritised within the currently available funding. Evidence shows
this is making a difference to children's and young people's
outcomes.
 
5.    
Agrees to a review of staffing to ensure that the backlog as well
as the rising demand is met; whilst recognising that the MTFS each
year seeks to do this, that we undertake a part year review to
ascertain the demand in relation to staffing.
 
6.    
That the Warwickshire SEND and Inclusion Member Panel membership
comprises members of all political groups.