The Wandsworth Schools' Forum met on Monday 1st October 2018, agreeing to a significant transfer of funds from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block to address an anticipated deficit. The Forum also addressed membership changes and noted reports on national funding formula baselines and the high needs recovery plan.

High Needs Recovery Plan and Funding Transfer

A key decision made by the Wandsworth Schools' Forum was to approve a 0.5% transfer of funding, equating to £781,000, from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block. This measure is part of a broader recovery plan aimed at addressing an anticipated £1 million overspend in the current financial year for the High Needs Block, which, combined with a carried-forward deficit, could lead to a total deficit of £2 million by 2019-20. The Forum agreed to short-term measures outlined in the report, including a 0.5% contribution from schools, and a long-term strategy to be developed by the High Needs Sub Group. They also agreed to termly progress reporting and a review of Special School resourcing over the next six months, which will inform a paper on top-up funding. The Local Authority anticipates that these measures will help balance the High Needs Block in-year for the financial year 2019-20.

During the discussion, Kate Bond, Assistant Director of Children's Services (Education, Performance and Planning), highlighted the increasing pressures on schools and the growing number of Education Health Care Plans (EHCPs). She explained that while the Special Needs Assessment Team (SNAS) aims to meet the 20-week statutory deadline for EHCPs, a 40% increase in numbers over four years has made this challenging. Carol Payne, Head of Special Needs and Children with Disabilities, noted that 60% of EHCPs are now processed on time, an improvement from 20%, with re-consultation being the most frequent cause of delay.

Members expressed concerns about staffing costs and the potential limitations on what schools can offer. Kate Bond reassured the Forum that while providers will need to be flexible, individual children will not see their support taken away, and the LA would consider additional payments for exceptional costs. The Forum also noted that mainstream provision is generally the most cost-effective option and often in the child's best interests. The Director of Children's Services, John Johnson, suggested that a report on the robustness of projections for growth, considering population changes, EHCP reforms, and the decision-making process, would be beneficial for the next meeting.

Membership Changes

The Forum agreed to increase the membership of the maintained primary headteachers group to six, with a maximum of five votes available to the group. This decision was made to accommodate Amy Roberts, Headteacher of Riversdale Primary School, who had previously served as a representative and wished to continue on the Forum. This adjustment was necessary following a membership review and an issue with the allocation of places for maintained primary headteachers. Graham Stapleton, from Graveney School, proposed that when a vote was needed, the number of maintained primary headteacher votes would be limited to five, and that the Chairman should abstain from voting if all other primary headteachers were present.

National Funding Formula Baselines

Michael Hallick, Head of Schools' Finance, presented a report on the National Funding Formula baselines. He indicated that Wandsworth's Dedicated School Grant (DSG) is unlikely to see significant per-pupil funding increases over the next two to three years. However, any increase in pupil numbers, as recorded in the October census, will lead to growth in the fund. The report noted a provisional 2.04% increase in the 2019-20 School Block funding, while High Needs Block funding was projected to remain flat with a 0.28% increase. Overall, the DSG was expected to see a 1.65% (£3.3 million) increase in 2018-19, with the impact on individual schools to be presented in January 2019. The Wandsworth Schools' Forum noted the report.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 2nd July 2018 were approved, subject to an amendment by Jackie Addison, from Francis Barber PRU, who confirmed her attendance at that meeting, despite not being listed. There were no matters arising from the minutes.

Forward Plan and Future Meetings

The Forum noted the forward work plan, with the addition of a report on the robustness of projections for growth. Future meeting dates were also confirmed, with all sessions scheduled to take place at Wandsworth Town Hall at 4.30 p.m.