The Children, Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Priority Action Plan, SEND Strategy, and SEND Local Offer. Significant progress has been made in addressing systemic failings identified in a recent inspection, with a focus on improving governance, the timeliness and quality of Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans, and neurodevelopmental pathways.

SEND Priority Action Plan, Strategy, and Local Offer

The committee received a comprehensive update on the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Priority Action Plan (PAP), the SEND Strategy, and the SEND Local Offer. County Councillor Matthew Salter, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, highlighted that the council is undertaking vital work to address historic issues in SEND provision, acknowledging that this is a challenging time but that a robust plan is in place.

The PAP, overseen by the SEND Improvement Board, aims to address five key priorities:

1. Governance and Strategic Partnership: Establishing an improvement board with an independent chair to scrutinise the council's work, involving the Integrated Care Board (ICB), Parent Carer Forum, schools, and health providers. Challenges remain around capacity and resources across these organisations.
2. Quality and Timeliness of EHC Plans: Progress is being made in both quality and productivity, with increased capacity in educational psychology and casework teams. Backlogs in annual reviews are reducing, and a capital programme is underway to increase special school places. A digital dashboard has been launched to improve transparency for parents.
3. Neurodevelopmental Pathways: This area, led by the ICB, involves transforming the current pathway and developing new ones, with a focus on training and upskilling. Challenges include the capacity for health advice due to increased demand.
4. Communication: A joint communication strategy and delivery plan have been developed to improve communication at both strategic and operational levels. Let's Talk sessions with the Parent Carer Forum have been initiated, and the local offer website has been reviewed and updated based on feedback.
5. Preparation for Adulthood: A transitions workstream is established, and training and support for schools are being developed. However, there is still inconsistency in preparation for adulthood outcomes within EHC plans, and feedback from young people and families regarding transition support remains mixed.

The committee heard from Michelle Pye and Miranda Hyman, co-chairs of the Parent Carer Forum, who confirmed that while progress is being made, many parents on the ground are not yet seeing the full impact of these changes. They emphasised the importance of consistent caseworkers and improved communication.

Councillors raised concerns about the rise in ADHD and autism diagnoses and the availability of specialist support in schools. Officers explained that while awareness and training are improving, schools are not always designed for modern educational needs. The council is working to design new schools with adapted environments and encouraging existing schools to modify their buildings.

The demand for SEND places is high across the county, with particular needs in the east of the county for academically able children unable to attend mainstream secondary schools, and for those with social, emotional, and mental health needs. The council is working to increase the number of SEND units and special school places.

The discussion also touched upon the early identification of SEND needs, with concerns raised about children being labelled too early. It was clarified that not all children with SEND require an EHC plan, and that support should be needs-based rather than diagnostic-led.

The committee also discussed the local offer website, noting its accessibility and the ongoing work to improve its content and reach, including plans for social media engagement and roadshows.

A question was raised regarding the provision for children whose parents do not advocate on their behalf, and it was explained that schools and early help services play a key role in identifying and supporting these children, balancing welfare with family privacy.

The committee also discussed the uptake of break time hours for respite care, noting that while registrations are good, the uptake of hours has been a challenge. Plans are in place to recommission break time activities and explore new models.

Finally, the committee discussed the work programme for the year, noting that future meetings will include updates on SEND, home-to-school transport, and other key areas.

SEND Priority Action Plan

The SEND Priority Action Plan (PAP) was developed in response to a joint area SEND inspection that identified widespread systemic failings. The plan, overseen by the Lancashire SEND Improvement Board, aims to address five key priorities:

1. Shared Strategic Governance: Improving joint strategic governance, oversight, commissioning, support, challenge, and planning of SEND services between the local authority and the ICB.
2. EHC Plans and Annual Reviews: Significantly improving the process, timeliness, quality, and oversight of EHC plans and annual reviews.
3. Neurodevelopmental Pathways: Urgently addressing delays and gaps in service provision within the neurodevelopmental pathway.
4. Communication Strategies: Improving communication at all levels with children, young people with SEND, and their families.
5. Preparation for Adulthood and Transition: Ensuring young people with SEND are well-prepared for adulthood and transition.

Progress is being monitored through a data dashboard and regular reviews. While many milestones are on track, some require re-profiling due to capacity issues. A recovery plan is being developed to improve statutory compliance and timeliness, with a target of 40% in-month timeliness by December 2025.

SEND Strategy 2025-2028

The new SEND Strategy for Lancashire has been co-produced with children, young people, parents, carers, schools, and health providers. It sets out the local area partnership's ambitions for the next three years, focusing on ensuring children and young people are safe, happy, healthy, achieving their potential, and have their needs met early and at the right time, preferably in mainstream schools close to home.

SEND Local Offer

The SEND Local Offer provides accessible information about services and support for children and young people with SEND and their families. It is a statutory requirement and has been improved through co-production, social media engagement, and surveys. Key developments include a new SEND directory, improved website content, and increased social media engagement. The local offer is considered highly accessible compared to other local authorities, although it is noted as being wordy.

Work Programme 2025/26

The committee reviewed the draft work programme for 2025/26, which is structured thematically. The next meeting is scheduled for 22 October 2025.

Recommendations and Actions

Several actions and recommendations were agreed upon:

• An online session will be arranged before the October Cabinet meeting for members to comment on the SEND Strategy.
• Updates will be provided on the backlog of casework and the progress towards the December target for a more sustainable position.
• Data on ethnicity breakdown for asylum seekers and refugees accessing SEND services will be sought.
• The most appropriate scrutiny committee for discussing home-to-school transport will be identified.
• An update on available support for siblings and parents without EHCPs will be provided.
• The committee will continue to monitor communication strategies and the effectiveness of the SEND system.

The meeting concluded with the committee noting the work programme for the upcoming year and confirming the date of the next meeting.