Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: September 3, 2024

Purpose:

Content: 10.1 The Head of Commissioning introduced the report containing proposals that will ensure that the Local Authority meets its statutory duties under the Education Act 1996 to provide sufficient mainstream and SEND education places, promote parental choice, diversity, and fair access.  Ensuring that there are sufficient mainstream and SEND education places for every child and eligible young person is a fundamental responsibility of local government and is essential to the Local Authority’s focus on enabling children and young people to have a great start in life, achieve their full potential, and contribute to the success of the city. 10.2 RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Education, Children and Families Policy Committee:-   For Primary   Monitor the impact of falling rolls in mainstream settings and provide the sector with latest forecast data. Support mainstream schools with sustainability challenges and undertake actions as required, including reduction in published admission numbers where needed.   For Secondary   3.     Utilise allocation forecasts which are uplifted by 3% to provide a contingency of additional places in the mainstream secondary system, to allow for in-year movement, in-year admissions and to help mitigate demand from variable factors. 4.     Continue to work with the secondary sector to develop solutions to help address the citywide mainstream deficits. This includes consideration of options to expand or develop new additional provision to support sufficiency.   For Post-16   5.     Continue to work with the post-16 sector and the Department for Education to better understand the sufficiency position across the city and identify gaps and solutions to address.   For SEND   6.     Continue to work with the education sector, health, care and wider partners to develop solutions to help address continued rising demand for SEND education places, with a focus on: a.     Further increasing and developing provision in mainstream settings. b.     Targeted growth within the specialist sector. Page 62 Page 5 of 27 c.     Long-term strategic developments to provide high quality provision for future generations.   10.3 Reasons for Decision 10.3.1 This report is to update the Education, Children and Families Policy Committee on our sufficiency plans. Members are requested to note the contents of the report. When committee decisions are required, we will return to the Education, Children and Families Policy Committee. 10.4 Alternatives Considered and Rejected 10.4.1 Alternative Option 1: Do nothing.   “Do nothing” would mean the Local Authority does not intervene in the education sector. This option has been rejected due to the risk of the Local Authority breaching its statutory duty to ensure sufficient education places for children and young people within Sheffield.   10.4.2 No other alternative options have been considered that are not outlined in the report. This is because we are in the process of exploring all options to ensure sufficient education places in Sheffield and mitigate the risks associated with surplus and deficit places forecast.