Agenda item
High Needs Block 20-21
Minutes:
The Schools Forum received a report from Andrew Ward, Head of Finance – CYP informing them of the detailed High Needs Block budget for adoption in 2020/21.
Following the discussion theme under the previous item, in considering the report and during the discussion, the following key points were noted:
Ø The High Needs block budget for 2020/21 was set to balance to available resources including the £0.9m Schools Block transfer. The total budget stood at £62.2m.
Ø The High Needs block funding had been confirmed at £61.3m for 2020/21. This was £5m more than that received in 2019/20 but only represented a 9% increase compared to the national increase in High Needs funding of 11%.
Ø In addition, the Schools Forum had approved a Schools block transfer of 0.4% totalling £0.9m. Total funding for the High Needs block in 2020/21 was £62.2m.
Ø The Schools Forum sub-group for High Needs met on 12 February 2020 to discuss the High Needs block budget and any changes and the final detailed budget was provided in appendix 1 of the report.
Ø In terms of risks:
- The budget allocated the available resources within the constraints of the funding that was available for the provision of SEND. The budget aimed to achieve an in-year balance between expenditure and income and did not reduce the forecast deficit that would be brought forward from 2019/20.
- Given the increased demand for SEND provision, there were some clear risks and challenges to the aim of achieving a balanced outturn in 2020/21.
- The main risk was that the number of children and young people with EHCPs continued to grow at the same rate as in recent years, rather than the growth levelling off. With in borough special provision becoming full, greater use would have to be made of out of borough and independent settings.
- There was also the risk of price inflation for SEND provision in out of borough and independent settings. This could be partly mitigated by effective commissioning arrangements such as using the WLA.
Ø Appendix 1 to the report provided the line-by-line details.
Ø The Special School Headteacher, Russell Davey, highlighted that the Special School High Needs funding rates had been frozen for the last 10 years, and officers responded that there was an uplift two years ago. Russell Davey undertook to provide the relevant detail to the officers directly.
Ø Concerning EHCPs in general as well as the assumption about levelling off made in paragraph 6.3 that stated that ‘The main risk is that the number of children and young people with EHCPs continues to grow at the same rate as in recent years, rather than the growth levelling off. With in-borough special provision becoming full, greater use will have to be made of out of borough and independent settings.’ A fruitful discussion was had on this issue and a majority of Headteachers collectively felt that there was lack of clarity and support on this issue and a better way of articulating ‘levelling-off’ ought to be found given the unprecedented demand and incredible pressure, complex needs, together with, a holistic approach to this area.
Ø The overall system was reviewed in the last year’s OFSTED inspection and was, overall, doing well. There were a few delays/drag around therapies and a few other areas, which could be improved and become more effective. With this in mind, to increase the capacity of the relevant panels with more expertise from the schools.
RESOLVED that:
1. The Schools Forum notes the contents of the report.
2 To set up a task and finish group to review the situation concerning High Needs and the EHCPs with increased expertise from the schools.
(Action 61: Dena Aly/Olufunke Adediran)
Supporting documents:
- 8. High Needs Block 20-21 - final report, item 8. PDF 82 KB
- 8.1. Appendix 1, item 8. PDF 453 KB
- 8.2. Appendix 2 Special Schools Funding, item 8. PDF 424 KB
- 8.3. Appendix 3 ARP Funding, item 8. PDF 423 KB
- 8.4. Appendix 4 PRU Funding, item 8. PDF 398 KB