Issue - meetings

Joint report of the Executive Director of Children’s Social Care and Education and the Executive Director for Adult Social Care and Health/NHS Place Director

The Committee considered the joint report of the Executive Director of Children’s Social Care and Education and Executive Director for Adult Social Care and Health/NHS Place Director presenting the draft Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Joint Commissioning Strategy for 2023 – 2026.

The report detailed the process of development and highlighted the key points.

The following appendices were attached to the report:

• Equality Assessment Report
• The SEND Joint Commissioning Strategy 2023 – 2026
• Plan on the Page

Members of the Committee raised the following questions/issues:

·       The cost implications and delivering best value.

·       Training for social workers on Autistic Spectrum Disorders.

·       The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS).

·       Personal health budgets and how people were encouraged to make the best use of them.

·       The national shortage of education psychologists and how the strategy supported this issue.

RESOLVED: That

(1)           the information provided be noted; and

(2)           a further report be submitted to a future meeting, to include information on budget implications, the graduated approach and commissioning and information on SENDIASS.

Joint report of the Executive Director of Children’s Social Care and Education and the Executive Director for Adult Social Care and Health/NHS Place Director

The Cabinet considered the joint report of the Executive Director of Children’s Social Care and Education and Executive Director for Adult Social Care and Health/NHS Place Director presenting the draft Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Joint Commissioning Strategy for 2023 – 2026 for consideration.

The report detailed the process of development and highlights the key points.

The following appendices were attached to the report:

·       Equality Assessment Report

·       The SEND Joint Commissioning Strategy 2023 – 2026

·       Plan on the Page

Decision Made:

That:

(1)      the adoption of the draft Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Joint Commissioning Strategy be considered and approved;

(2)      the commencement of all appropriate activity required to progress the actions as detailed in the Action Plan, including for example, procurement, consultation with employees and engagement with partners and contractual changes as the programme develops, be approved;

(3)      the fact that officers will comply with agreed HR policies and procedures including relevant consultation with Trade Unions and reports to the Cabinet Member (Regulatory, Compliance & Corporate Services) as required, be noted;

(4)      the fact that the Executive Director for Children’s Social Care and Education and the Cheshire and Merseyside Place Director for Sefton will ensure strong leadership across the partnership and report to Lead Cabinet Members and the SEND Continuous Improvement Board on the progress of the Strategy, be noted; and

(5)      the progress made against the delivery of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Joint Commissioning Strategy be reported to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Children's Services and Safeguarding) on a six monthly basis commencing in November 2023.

Reasons for the Decision:

It is a statutory requirement under the Children- and Families Act 2014 to have a defined Joint Commissioning Strategy for children and young people with SEND.

Oversight of delivery by Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Children's Services and Safeguarding) will ensure that progress is tracked and any issues identified can be escalated to Cabinet in a timely fashion.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

Not applicable.

Report of the Executive Director of Children’s Social Care and Education and Executive Director for Adult Social Care and Health/NHS Place Director

The Board considered the joint report of the Executive Director of Children’s Social Care and Education and Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Health and Place Director (Sefton). The report outlined the development, key points and next steps of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Joint Commissioning Plan 2023 – 2026.

The Board praised the level of co-production and the impact of parent carers on the Plan.

RESOLVED:

That the adoption of the Strategy be endorsed.