The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Barking and Dagenham Council met on Wednesday 6 November 2024 to discuss the provision of Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) services and employment outcomes for people with learning disabilities. The committee welcomed plans for new SEND places and noted collaborations aimed at improving employment outcomes for individuals with learning disabilities.

SEND Provision: Quality and Sufficiency

The committee received a report detailing the significant increase in demand for Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) services within the Borough. Requests for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) have risen sharply, with the Borough experiencing a demand four times higher than the national average. Despite these pressures, a SEND Area Partnership Inspection in July 2024 confirmed that children and young people with SEND in the Borough attend school regularly and are achieving well. Currently, over 3,000 EHCPs are maintained for individuals aged 0-25.

Discussions highlighted the funding streams supporting these services, including a yearly Government grant. The Council is working with the Partnership Learning academy trust to develop new special schools, such as Riverside Bridge school and the forthcoming Oxlow Bridge Special School, set to open in September 2025. Additional Resource Provisions (ARPs) are also being established within existing schools to manage demand within the Council's revenue budget.

The primary needs identified for children and young people with SEND include social communication and interaction difficulties, often associated with autism, as well as speech and language challenges, and an increase in social and emotional health needs. Funding is allocated through a banding system to secure provisions for specific needs. The Council is reviewing its ARP strategy, with a view to establishing an ARP in every school within the Borough as a more financially sound approach than placing children outside the area.

The committee stressed the importance of early identification of SEND needs. While early years services are identifying needs early, challenges remain in sharing information between schools to facilitate smooth transitions. The movement of families into the Borough without notifying the Council also presents difficulties in identifying children with SEND.

To ensure consistent quality standards, the Council is investing in training programmes for SEND staff, funded through the apprenticeship levy. All maintained schools receive an inclusion visit, and specialist schools and ARPs have an annual visit. The disproportionate increase in EHCP requests is partly attributed to population growth in the 0-19 age bracket. The Council anticipates receiving approximately 5% of the Government's £1 billion uplift in SEND funding, estimated at £2.5 million, which will help address a £4 million overspend within the service.

The report also addressed cultural and religious sensitivities that can sometimes make it difficult for parents and guardians to accept a child has disabilities. The Council is working to address this through early help colleagues offering stay and play sessions in various community settings and promoting open, culturally sensitive communication with families.

To improve transitions into further education and future employment, the Council has strengthened careers advice and guidance for the preparation of adulthood, including housing advice. The Specialist Careers Advisor team has been expanded, and an options booklet for young people with SEND has been developed. Vocational profiling is being introduced in schools to identify the skills of SEND students. The committee noted that the COVID-19 pandemic appeared to have a greater impact on more vulnerable individuals, affecting the resilience of both staff and parents. The committee welcomed the report and supported the plans for new places to meet the growing demand.

Employment outcomes for people with learning disabilities

The committee discussed the employment outcomes for adults with learning disabilities and autism within the Borough. An estimated 3,200 adults have learning disabilities, and at least 1,500 have autism. The focus is on supporting the transition from education to employment for young people with learning disabilities. A new learning disability and autism strategy is being developed, incorporating input from service users and those with lived experience.

The Council's current employment rate for people with learning disabilities known to social care stands at 2.5%, significantly below the London average of 5.3%. Barriers to reaching targets include a higher needs cohort in the Borough compared to other London boroughs, a capacity gap with job brokers, and difficulties in employer engagement, including securing internships. The local employer base, which includes many small businesses with time pressures, also presents challenges. SEND learners have identified personal barriers and Borough-specific issues like transport as obstacles to finding employment.

To ease the transition from education to employment, greater collaboration between services is needed. Specialist schools are working with the Barking and Dagenham School Improvement Partnership (BDSIP) to provide work experience. The Council is expanding opportunities for work experiences and internships, including for adults. Challenges with apprenticeships exist due to the apprenticeship levy favouring strong academic qualifications.

The Council is exploring new developments within the Borough to create more inclusive environments with various employers and Council services. There has been an increase in local employers offering work experiences, and community interest companies are helping train adults with learning disabilities to become baristas. The cost-effectiveness of job coaches was discussed, with salaries in Barking and Dagenham noted as lower compared to the private sector. The committee welcomed the report and the collaborations between services and partners aimed at improving employment outcomes.

Work Programme

The Budget meeting, originally scheduled for 26 November, has been postponed until early December due to a revised budget timetable. The committee noted the updated work programme.