Issue - meetings

To update the Schools Forum on the DSG High Needs Block Deficit Management Plan

Olufunke Adediran, Head of Finance introduced the report which updated the Forum on the DSG High Needs Block Deficit Management Plan. In presenting the report key points highlighted included:

·             The DSG carried forward a cumulative deficit of £15.1m from 2021/22 as a result of pressures against the High Needs Block (HNB). The 2022/23 forecast position at the end of January carried an in year deficit of £2.8m bringing the cumulative forecast deficit position against the DSG to £18.3m.

·             The Forum was advised that if no action was taken to mitigate the deficit, the deficit could reach £54m by 2026/7, however the 0.5% transfer from the Schools Block coupled with the increased funding from the DfE of 10% in 2023/24, then assuming an 8% increase in 2024/25 and 3% thereafter would support mitigating the deficit and reduce it to £52m.

·             Sharon Buckby, Head of Inclusion, advised the Forum that pressures on the HNB were directly related to the increased demand for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) that had increased significantly over the last 6 years with fluctuations as a result of the pandemic, as illustrated in Section 3.2, Table 1 of the accompanying report.

·             Increased need had been demonstrated across the Early Years, it was felt this could be attributed to the lost opportunities for social and educational exposure for children during the pandemic that had impacted upon specific areas of development, such as speech and language and social communication. In response to this the DBV programme in Brent would be specifically looking at the 0-7 year old cohort preventing the need for EHCP’s or moving to time limited EHCP’s for a third of the cohort.

·             It remained a priority to work closely with SENCO’s and Headteacher’s to gain a greater understanding of how to provide efficient effective early intervention to support improved outcomes for children and young people in Brent.

·             In the challenging financial climate, it was recognised that improvements should be made in progressively using joint resources more effectively with health services and neighbouring boroughs to maximise service delivery for children and young people in Brent.

·             The Forum was advised that the Management Plan would not recover the deficit by 2026/27 and could increase further particularly when considering the impact of possible additional financial pressures if HNB funding did not increase in line with the trend in demand for EHCP’s.

·             The regulations that were in place to carry forward a deficit balance against the DSG had been due to expire in 2022/23, however the statutory override had been extended for a further three years until 2025/26.

The Chair thanked officers for their report and asked Forum members if they had any questions in relation to the information provided. The following key points were discussed:

·             The Forum expressed gratitude for the recent meeting between Headteacher’s and senior leaders at the Council where information on training offers was shared, however the Forum felt it was it was paramount that the Council did not lose sight of how strongly school leaders  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7