Issue - meetings

This report presents the SEND Strategy 2021-25. The strategy has been approved by the CCG Executive and the Executive Member is asked to approve the strategy on behalf of City of York Council.

Resolved: That approval be given to the SEND Strategy (0-25yrs), 2021-25 (as set out at Annex A of the report).

Reason:     The strategy sets the priorities for the local area and provides the strategic framework to ensure that partners commit to delivering continuous improvements in the lived experience of children, young people with special education needs and disabilities.

The Executive Member considered a report that detailed the SEND Strategy 2021-25 (included at Annex A of the report).  The Director, Prevention and Commissioning and Assistant Director, Education and Skills was in attendance to present the report. They explained how the strategy had been consulted upon and the strategy had grown out of the improvement journey. It was noted that the strategy provided a framework to take beyond the written statement and it would be under continuous review. The principles of the strategy were outlined and it was noted that it had been presented to the CCG Executive, who had approved it in its current form. The Executive Member thanked the Director, Prevention and Commissioning and Assistant Director, Education and Skills for producing the strategy and he noted the importance of early identification and the need and role of joint working in the co-production of the strategy.

In response to a question from the Executive Member, the The Director, Prevention and Commissioning and Assistant Director, Education and Skills explained the four key priorities for the next four years as:

Priority One – The voice of children and young people is paramount

Priority Two - The right support is in the right place at the right time

Priority Three - Children and young people’s needs are identified at the earliest opportunity

Priority Four - Effective transition is secured so that young people are able to live the best adult lives that they can

In answer to further questions from the Executive Members, The Director, Prevention and Commissioning and Assistant Director, Education and Skills clarified:

·        That the York Parent Carer Forum was in the early stages of development and there was an ambition to develop this into a full and vibrant forum. It was highlighted that the forum would be involved in the quality assurance process.

·        The transition process for children between settings.

·        That the inclusion review looked at sufficiency in the local area. Some families found the transition from primary to secondary school difficult and the inclusion review would look at the experience of phased transfers to secondary school by working with secondary Headteachers in terms of interventions and support to improve parental confidence.

·        Regarding changes in needs over the next 5-10 years, changes in primary being were tracked. There was a prevalence of children with autism and social and emotional health needs, which would be a continuing pressure with a need to ensure that educational provision met the needs for this. It was noted that support to children and young people would change over the coming years.

There were no further questions from the Executive Member and it was:

Resolved: That approval be given to the SEND Strategy (0-25yrs), 2021-25 (as set out at Annex A of the report).

Reason:     The strategy sets the priorities for the local area and provides the strategic framework to ensure that partners commit to delivering continuous improvements in the lived experience of children, young people with special education needs and disabilities.