The meeting report pack included reports on the work of four council services, a further report from the Strategic Director of Children’s Services, and a number of financial reports, details on discretionary travel provision for children with Special Educational Needs, and a report on a grant application.

Discretionary Travel Support for Children with SEN

The report pack included a report on proposals around the provision of discretionary travel support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs. The Education Act 1996 gives local authorities a discretionary power to make travel arrangements for children who are not eligible for free school transport under the Act. The report pack sought approval to consult on proposals that would make changes to the provision for young people in Post-16 education, and for learners aged 19-25. It also sought approval to consult on a proposal to maintain provision for nursery aged children.

The report highlighted that the demand for home-to-school travel support is increasing in Sheffield. This is in line with a national trend, and it is expected that demand will continue to rise in the future.

“The increasing demand for home to school travel support is closely linked to the rising number of children and young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) – a legal document for an individual child or young person aged 0-25 years with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), which describes their needs and the provision that must be implemented to help them meet them.”¹

The report stated that the council currently provides transport for 550 students in Post-16 education, at a cost of approximately £3.6m per year. It was proposed that most Post-16 learners eligible for travel support would be provided with a Personal Travel Budget. The report pack stated that this could reduce spending by between £1.5m and £1.8m, depending on take up. A banded payment approach was proposed, with payments ranging from £103 per term for those travelling less than three miles, to £1,368 for journeys of between 9 and 14.99 miles.

The report proposed that eligible learners aged 19-25 would be offered a Personal Travel Budget, but that if they preferred to receive transport, they could request this.

Children and Families Annual Reports

The report pack contained four reports from council services. These were:

• The annual report from the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) for 2023/24, a role introduced following the Bichard Inquiry in 2004, which examined the role of vetting checks in child protection. The LADO manages allegations against adults who work with children, and the report stated that the service had received 854 contacts in 2023/24.
• The annual report from the Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) for 2023/24. The IRO chairs looked-after children reviews, monitors the local authority's performance, and ensures the child's interests are protected. The report included a summary of the most recent Ofsted inspection, which stated that “Children in care receive an outstanding service that results in their life experiences significantly improving”. It went on to say that:

“Children have a solid influence in shaping the local authority’s provision of services. Children report feeling listened to and valued by social workers, managers and leaders”.

• The annual report from Sheffield Fostering Service for 2023/24. The report pack described how fostering services work in Sheffield, and explained the work of the Connected Carers Team.
• The annual report from One Adoption South Yorkshire (OASY), which the report pack stated is a partnership between the councils of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and Sheffield. The report included details on the number of children adopted, those placed with families under Early Permanence arrangements, and the work of the agency's support services.

Strategic Director's Update Report

The report pack included an update report from Meredith Dixon-Teasdale, the Strategic Director for Children’s Services. The report summarised the findings of the recent Ofsted focused visit, which had examined the placement decision making for older children in care. The visit found that “Placement decision-making for older children in care is effective and based on children’s assessed needs and plans”, and that “Older children become looked after in a timely manner and when it is in their best interests.” It went on to say that:

“Senior leaders have a firm grip and clear understanding of what older children in care need and this area of practice. Leaders have created a culture of high aspirations across the council and wider partnership for older children and their futures into adulthood.”

Step up to Social Work Fast Track Post Graduate Degree Cohort 9

The report pack contained a report about the Step up to Social Work programme, a fast-track training scheme for social workers. The Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Partnership (YHRP) had applied for funding from the Department for Education to run the scheme, and Sheffield City Council had been asked to be the lead authority for the partnership. The report sought approval for Sheffield to accept grant funding on behalf of the partnership, and to commission services from a Higher Education Institution to deliver the programme.

Financial Reports

The report pack included a number of financial reports. These were:

• The Committee Work Programme for 18 December 2024, which set out the agenda items for the meeting.
• The minutes from the previous meeting, held on 5 November 2024.
• The 2024/25 Q2 Budget Monitoring Report, which stated that the council was currently facing a budget overspend of £34m.
• An Equality Impact Assessment in respect of the Annual Service Updates report.
• A Climate Impact Assessment in respect of the Discretionary Special Educational Needs Travel and Transport Provision report.