Decision details

The Cabinet considered the report of the Executive Director of Children’s Services which provided:

1.    The monitoring position of the High Needs budget position on the 1September 2022 as per the previous Cabinet resolution to provide update on a quarterly basis;

2.    The forecast year end deficit position based on current special educational needs and disability (SEND) placement pressures and support for individual pupils with SEND required during 2022/23;

3.    An update on the 2022/23 SEN Review / Sufficiency Programme aimed at bringing High Needs expenditure pressures back into a more manageable financial position in the future.

Decision Made: That:

DSG – High Needs Budget

(1)      the current forecast year-end deficit position relating to the 2022/23 High Needs Budget be noted;

(2)      the financial risks associated with the delivery of the 2022/23 High Needs budget be noted and it be acknowledged that the forecast outturn position will continue to be reviewed / reported to Cabinet on a quarterly basis to ensure a more sustainable financial position can be achieved in the future;

Update on the 2022/23 SEN Review / Sufficiency Programme

(3)      the work undertaken in the implementation of the new High Needs Funding Model for SEND placements in Special Schools and Alternative Provision Schools from April 2022 be noted; and

(4)      the changes to SEND placements from September 2022, both in Sefton and out of Borough be noted.

Reasons for the Decision:

1)    To provide an updated forecast financial position of the 2022/23 High Needs budget.

2)    To ensure that the SEND Review / Sufficiency programme can progress to provide sustainable and effective SEND support for Sefton pupils within the available resources allocated through the Dedicated Schools Grant – High Needs Block.

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Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

None.