What this consultation is about
Following the completion of a strategic study, we're undertaking a short period of informal consultation where we're capturing the views of stakeholders in relation to increasing educational provision within the county for children and young people with special educational needs and disability (SEND).
A period of formal consultation will follow at a later date and be informed by the views gathered through this process.
Summary of strategic report - A projection of future special educational needs and disability (SEND) requirements November 2020
In June 2019 we published the findings of a report commissioned ISOS Partnership, who worked with partners and members of the county’s SEND Strategic Board, to undertake a review of special educational needs and disability (SEND) provision. The report identified a need to do a further sufficiency exercise in order to plan for the rising number of children and young people that will need support for special educational needs and disability (SEND) in Derbyshire.
The sufficiency exercise was conducted between July and November 2020 and forecasts what provision is required to meet demand. It considers the number and type of setting alongside. Key findings include:
- there are plans to build approximately 25,000 homes across Derbyshire in the next few years which suggests a rise of around 10,000 pupils of school age
- the general school population is predicted to rise until academic year 2021/2022 but then begin to fall and show a steady decline until 2025
- numbers of children requiring support at school support level are expected to rise due to this population growth
- Derbyshire's rate of EHCPs has remained relatively stable over the past 4 years but the numbers of EHCPs continues to rise as the population grows
- the innovative funding approach of graduated response to individual pupils (GRIP) has met children’s needs early and resulted in a higher rate of school support across Derbyshire
Key recommendations from the sufficiency exercise to take further action on include:
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Developing a county specialist provision plan. This should take account of the previous rises in places and predicted rising numbers over the next 3 years and include plans to increase provision across the county's special schools and enhanced resources in line with predicted numbers. A county wide plan will be developed based on the following principles:
- wherever possible, children with special educational needs and disability will be educated as close to home as possible to ensure their place in their local community, and to reduce daily or unnecessary travelling
- the sufficiency plan will aim to increase the choice of provision available to families within their local area
- where possible and appropriate children will be educated within their local community mainstream provision, alongside their peers
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An investigation of provision for autism across the county and development of an autism strategy to address needs across the county.
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Development of a strategy and collective responsibility model for those children and young people with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.
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That the report is considered alongside current discussions taking place regarding alternative provision available to support children and young people across Derbyshire.
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To complete the review the impact of graduated response to individual pupils (GRIP) funding on the ability of schools and settings to meet need early and maintain the stability of a lower rate of education, health and care plans (EHCP).
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A further investigation into the rising numbers of children in early years requiring an education, health and care plan (EHCP).
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Making sure that the numbers of young people who are not accessing education, employment or training (NEET) but continue to be supported by an EHCP have their situations reviewed as a matter of urgency.
Our overarching Strategy for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in Derbyshire 2020-2023 co-produced as a result of the ISOS review and our sufficiency exercise puts us in a strong position to meet the challenges of current and future needs and achieve good outcomes for children and young people in Derbyshire.
These recommendations are being shared to gather further feedback and evidence to inform their development. We welcome input from all interested parties.