The Young People, Learning and Employment Policy and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the upcoming work programme, review the draft Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Strategy for 2025-2030, and address the rising costs of providing care for children with complex needs. The committee approved the draft SEND strategy and made recommendations to address the financial demands on the council for children with SEND and complex needs.

SEND Strategy 2025-2030

The committee approved the draft SEND Strategy Refresh A Fairer Future: Strategy for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (2025-2030) Someone on my side . The strategy aims to create a supportive and inclusive environment for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in Westminster. It aligns with the council's Fairer Westminster initiative and health plans, focusing on improving outcomes and providing high-quality services.

Key aspects of the strategy include:

• Workforce Development: Ensuring a skilled workforce to meet the increasing demands and expertise needed to support children and young people's needs.
• Early Intervention: Identifying needs early and providing timely support.
• Parental Involvement: Engaging parents and carers in decision-making processes and ensuring they feel respected and valued.
• Inclusion: Promoting inclusive schools and educational settings.
• Pathways to Adulthood: Supporting young people's transition to adulthood with opportunities for work experience, apprenticeships, and independent living skills.

The committee also discussed the council's SEND self-evaluation, which outlines areas that are working well and areas for development. The self-evaluation helps the council review the performance of services and providers commissioned by the North West London Integrated Care Board (NWL ICB), as well as council services.

The committee made several recommendations, including:

• That the council will consider the introduction and training of Makaton¹ teaching for teaching staff in all schools where there are children with communication difficulties.
• That the council continues to investigate opportunities for SEND young people to obtain employment when they leave education.
• That the council will lobby for additional support for the increasing financial demands on the council for children with SEND.
• That the council will continue to investigate ways to work with the ICB, Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) and partners in the co-production for services for children with SEND.
• That the council will continue to place school attendance as a priority and work with schools to develop and maximise attendance at school of children with SEND and minimise suspensions.
• That the council continues to work closely with NHS ICB partners in developing the role of the community hubs within the Integrated Neighbourhood Teams model to help increase early intervention for children with SEND.

Rising Costs of Care for Children with Complex Needs

The committee reviewed a report on the rising costs and challenges in providing care for children with complex needs. Councillor Aicha Less, Cabinet Member for Children and Public Protection, and Councillor David Boothroyd, Cabinet Member for Finance and Council Reform, introduced the report.

The report highlighted the increasing financial strain on local authorities due to the rising number of children with complex needs requiring high-cost placements. In Westminster, the highest weekly rate of commissioned placement was £17,908, with 19 looked-after children costing the council over £200,000 annually.

The report identified several factors contributing to the rising costs, including:

• Increasingly complex needs of children, including mental health issues, autism, and learning disabilities.
• Shortage of appropriate placements, leading to reliance on expensive out-of-borough placements.
• Market challenges, with private providers charging high prices.
• Decreasing joint funding arrangements with health partners.

The committee discussed the need for legislative change to support the service in light of the increasing financial demands for children with complex needs. They also emphasised the importance of joint accountability and integrated services to ensure continuity of care for young people with complex needs.

The committee made the following recommendations:

• That the council will lobby for legislative change to support the service in light of the increasing financial demands for children with complex needs.
• That the council will continue to advocate plans for joint accountability and integrated services to ensure continuity of care and transitions to other provisions for young people with complex needs.
• That the council will continue to explore initiatives to address the pressure on the overall care placements budget and financial pressures on the council.
• That the council will take action to drive policy and legislative changes that put greater emphasis and guidance on joint commissioning of provision that meets complex needs in which health and social care needs are intertwined.
• That the council investigates funding options for domestic violence and violence against woman as one of the preventative measures for children with complex needs.

Work Programme 2025/26

The committee discussed and shaped its work programme for the municipal year 2025-2026. The committee noted that its work programme is flexible to allow for any urgent issues that might arise.

The committee agreed to include the following items in its work programme:

• Supported Internships and Employment Opportunities
• Update on the Mobilisation of the Proposals for Services for Children with Disabilities
• Black Fathers Unheard (next steps)
• Enrichment Activities for Young People
• Annual Safeguarding Report
• Attendance, Suspension and Exclusion: How Effective is the Council's Inclusion Strategy?
• Facilities for Young People
• Local Area SEND Inspection Results

The committee also discussed the importance of site visits and briefings that complement items coming to the committee.