Issue - meetings

The Deputy Mayor and Executive Member for Children’s Services submitted a report for Executive’s consideration.

The purpose of the report was to seek approval from Executive to undertake a Local Government SEND Peer Challenge in preparation for the new Local Area SEND Inspections which would begin in 2023.

Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission published a new inspection framework which provided details on how they would inspect services for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and or Disabilities (SEND) in the local area early in 2023.

In the past, the local area inspections focused on how local areas met their responsibilities in the SEND code of practice. This was the statutory guidance produced by the Department for Education and the Department for Health and Social Care. The new framework had greater focus on hearing directly from children and young people with SEND, and their families. This would allow inspectors to get a better understanding of what it was like for a child or young person with SEND in the local area. There would also be stronger accountability through ongoing contact with local areas. This would include monitoring inspections where needed.

OPTIONS

The Council could have decided not to undertake a SEND Peer Challenge, however the SEND and Inclusion Partnership Board felt it would be beneficial in supporting the local area prepare for the next SEND Inspection.

ORDERED

That Executive approve the request to have a Local Government SEND Peer Challenge which would take place in May 2023.

REASONS

The review would support the local area in its preparation for the full SEND inspection.