Issue - meetings

This report responds to the statutory duty on councils to set out its arrangements to meet the needs of children with special educational needs and to consult on these arrangements.   Attached is a draft, three year partnership strategy for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Brent (Appendix A) for consideration and approval by the Executive.

that the partnership strategy for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities attached to the report from the Director of Children and Families be approved as the Local Authority strategy for 2013-2016.

Councillor Arnold (Lead Member, Children and Families) introduced the Special Educational Needs and Disability Strategy 2013-16 submitted in response to statutory duty on councils to set out its arrangements to meet the needs of children with special educational needs and to consult on these arrangements. The strategy was in draft form and included an inclusive approach was a three year partnership strategy for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Brent for consideration and approval by the Executive. The strategy had been developed through a two stage consultation process with all key partners and stakeholders. The first stage took place in March and April 2012 and consulted on the principles and priorities that should underpin the strategy. The outcomes of this were used to develop a draft strategy which was the focus of the second stage of consultation. This stage commenced on 24 September and finished on 30 November.

Councillor Arnold emphasised the continued development of an inclusive approach, the increase demand for SEND services and government expectations for improvement and set out achievements so far, which included increased capacity which would reduce costs. Councillor Hirani concurred that this was a significant report with important links with the Health and Well-Being Strategy and Councillor Beswick (Lead Member, Crime and Community Safety) welcomed the development of additional special educational needs places in the borough.

RESOLVED:

that the partnership strategy for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities attached to the report from the Director of Children and Families be approved as the Local Authority strategy for 2013-2016.