Agenda item

Purpose:

This report seeks to provide Cabinet with an update on the statutory consultation exercise undertaken in relation to the proposed new delivery model of services for pupils with Additional Learning Needs and Inclusion services across Monmouthshire.

This report also seeks permission from Cabinet to amend the consultation timeline, allowing for an opportunity for further reflection on the feedback received during the consultation process and consider how this may impact on the proposed delivery model going forward.

Recommendations:

To approve the amended timeline associated with this statutory consultation process, which proposes that Cabinet take their final decision on 5^thDecember 2018 rather than 7^th November 2018 as originally proposed.

Key Issues:

1. On 7th March 2018 Cabinet gave approval for the local authority to engage in the statutory consultation process which proposed a new model for the delivery of ALN and Inclusion services.

2. The proposed new delivery model outlined the following:

Establishment of a new special school that will deliver the full range of provision required to meet the needs of children and young people aged 3-19 with ASD, SEBD, PMLD and severe learning difficulties within the County. The existing Mounton House Special School will close as a result of the proposal and form the site of the new special school.

The new special school will offer provision for a wide range of Additional Learning and behavioural needs delivered through multiple satellite settings placed across the County. The proposal will ensure provision is provided locally to children whose needs cannot be met within mainstream settings and require more specialist support. The existing Pupil Referral Service (PRS) will also be enhanced to provide a greater range of outreach support and provision for children and young people at risk of exclusion.

3. The consultation period commenced on 16th April 2018 for a period of 6 weeks, concluding on 27th May 2018.

4. During the consultation period, officers engaged in an extensive consultation process with the community and key partners. Consultation sessions with children, staff, governors and parents were undertaken for the 8 schools identified as being directly affected by the proposed new delivery model. A consultation meeting with staff and management committee for the Pupil Referral Service was also undertaken.

5. Following the closure of the consultation period, officers are now analysing the responses received and preparing the consultation report required to engage in the next stage of the statutory process.

6. The consultation process thus far has identified many positives and on balance shows support for the proposed new delivery model. The general themes around the positive feedback received were:

- The proposals will ensure equity across the county in terms of the provision offered for children with ALN and behavioural difficulties through the delivery of a single management structure

- The proposals provide greater opportunities for children and young people to be educated within their communities alongside their peers.

- The proposals enhance the support to schools through the delivery of onsite

inclusion centres, which will provide opportunities to support children often at risk of exclusion.

- The clear approach of early intervention, development of skills and capacity within the school system is welcome and aligns to the National and Regional position.

7. However, the process has also identified some key themes / areas of concern which in summary include:

- The management arrangements for the proposed new delivery model, which would see the new special school taking responsible for the satellite Special Needs Resource Base (SNRB) centres as opposed to the schools on which they are currently hosted.

- A concern regarding the lack of equity associated with the proposals and as a result the distances that children and young people may still need to travel even with the provision located within Monmouthshire.

- The proposed designations for some of the satellite SNRB centres located on school sites and whether the current provision available can meet these needs

- How the needs of children with moderate learning difficulties would be met outside of an SNRB environment

- The proposal for a mixed gender, full age range provision for children with ASD and SEBD on the same site raised some concerns both in terms of safety of pupils and general management arrangements.

3.8 An amendment to the timeline as proposed below would allow for an opportunity to fully explore and reflect on the concerns raised prior to bring further recommendations to Cabinet.

Member Scrutiny:

Following a presentation from the Chief Officer, Children and Young People, Members made observations as below:

·         In response to a query, it was confirmed that responses from individuals and other bodies (e.g. Special Needs Advisory Project - SNAP Cymru) are strongly in favour of the proposals.

·         Regarding the proposed timescale and the new Code of Practice, it was confirmed that some change is needed for the new Code of Practice, and work is already in progress with regional partners e.g. a state of readiness for the new act assessment has been undertaken by the regional group.

·         County Councillor M. Powell declared an interest as a Governor of King Henry VIII Comprehensive School.  In response to a question, it was confirmed that currently girls’ needs are being met in Headlands School, Penarth or Talocher School, Monmouth, for which there are cost implications so provision in county is under consideration.

·         A Member questioned safety and general management in terms of the potential for Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (SEBD) pupils to influence the behaviour of Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) pupils, and also the complex teaching methods to provide for differing needs.  A further question was asked about pupils with both Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and SEBD.  Assurances were sought that neighbours of the school would be kept informed of developments.  The Chief Officer assured that the site will be carefully managed.  It was clarified that the needs of pupils with a single diagnosis of ASD or SEBD can continue to be accommodated in mainstream schools or other specific provision as appropriate, and will continue to do so. Those with a professional diagnosis of both ASD and SEBD will have their needs met in the proposed setting.  Regarding teaching, work to ensure that all pupils can access the curriculum will be a priority. 

·         It was commented that the needs of children with moderate learning difficulties (MLD) won’t be met in SNRBs any longer in line with the Code of Practice and queried how their needs will be accommodated.  The Chief Officer explained that provision will be on a sliding scale from small group provision to mainstream with support and excellent teaching.  Children with profound multiple learning difficulties may still be best placed out of county. 

·         A Member expressed some concerns that teachers in mainstream would need effective support to provide for pupils with such needs due to the pressure to improve results.  It was explained that excellent teaching and differentiation would be key.

·         County Councillor R. Harris declared an interest as a Governor of Deri View Primary School and SNRB.  He emphasised the importance of children staying within their community.  It was questioned how to speed up diagnosis as MLD pupils can be disruptive in mainstream.  It was added that there can be budget reductions which may cause the loss of the Teaching Assistants that are of critical importance to these children.  Regarding the proposal for a 3-19 school in Abergavenny, it was questioned how much planning has been done on additional learning needs provision.

The Chief Officer referred to early identification and the creation of two early assessment centres to allow daily observation over a 4-6 week period.  It was explained that Statements will no longer be used and will be replaced with the Individual Development Plan (IDP) to be completed within 10 weeks.  Cabinet have afforded additional budget this year and next to accommodate the pressure of this change.  Initial thoughts regarding the proposed 3-19 school, include the transfer of provision at Deri View School to the new school.  It was clarified that the policy of providing for pupils within the county causes budget pressures, and that everything is done to support schools in their effective use of budget.

·         The Chair invited the Chair of Deri View Primary School Governing Body, Mrs. M. Harris, to speak.  She explained that the school has the highest level of Free School Meals in the county.  She expressed concerns that a small cohort of children may be missed specifically those who can’t access SAPRA (School Action Plus Resource Assist), that there are delays in diagnoses and tight budgets which can affect TA support, special intervention and small group work. More funding will be required to retain the special nature of the school.

The Chief Officer accepted that Deri View Primary School is a challenging setting and the limited size of the area of deprivation prevents access to some funding opportunities.  It was agreed that speed of diagnosis is key.  More work will be needed to successfully address the issues in the area.