Agenda item

This report sets out how a SEND Resource Allocation System (RAS) could improve transparency and consistency of decision-making and provide some savings against the High Needs Block (HNB).

Shirley Parks, Director, Education, Partnerships and Strategy, introduced the report, which set out how a SEND Resource Allocation System (RAS) could improve transparency and consistency of decision-making and provide some savings against the High Needs Block (HNB).  The Forum noted the following key points as part of the update provided:

·            Schools Forum were informed on 20 February 2024 that a banding review was underway.  This followed a benchmarking exercise with other Local Authorities as well as research with the High Needs Block Subgroup and Early Years colleagues around developing a new resource allocation system approach.  This would be for mainstream settings including ARP school places and in both early years and post-16 settings.  This offer had been extended to post-16 settings as part of the Developing Better Value Programme to allow for a more needs led based allocation and for transparency.

·            Emma Ferrey (SEN Commissioning Consultant) was then invited to outline the detailed proposals and informed the Forum that Option 3 was being recommended as the preferred option, which would involve the introduction of the proposed RAS for all children and young people with an EHCP from age 0-25 years in mainstream schools and settings, including ARPs.

·            Ahead of the banding matrix review and as part of the Delivering Better Value (DBV) Programme, SEND Assurance work had been carried out (as a desktop exercise) to review all EHCPs of children (initially those aged up to 7, but subsequently widened to all ages) allocated 26 hours or more of support. This review, which included visits to schools and meetings with SENCOs and other staff, concluded that up to 80% of these Plans (with 26 hours+) were over-allocated.

·            Benchmarking information on funding allocated to children with SEND in early years, mainstream schools and post-16 provisions was provided at both the High Needs Working Group and Early Years’ Working Group meetings. This showed that Brent is broadly in line with other neighbouring authorities for school-age children. For early years, Brent fund significantly more (from the HNB) than all neighbouring authorities.

·            Other Local Authorities, such as Greenwich had already implemented the new matrix banding scheme and received positive feedback around ease of use.  The Children’s Social Care team were also using the same system in the same format.  The new system would provide good join up with Social Care teams and allocating funding.

·            In terms of the approach recommended the proposed SEND RAS would be used across mainstream and ARP placements in early years’ settings, schools and Further Education institutions. The descriptors for the RAS in early years would be slightly adapted to ensure it appropriately reflected both children’s needs and how need was met in these settings.  Currently in Early Years, there were two bands of funding and with the new banding system, this would increase to four bands of funding available.  The recommended Option (3) would involve the introduction of an RAS across all ages which would improve transition at key stages and between settings, promoting similar descriptions of levels of need. The RAS would also support conversations with parents, schools and settings about the right intervention, and creative solutions, for each child building on the Graduated Approach Framework with the key change in approach focussed around an increase of banding levels for Early Years designed to deal with emerging needs and an increase in the maximum funding in the top banding up to £7,000.

·            The options identified for implementation of any new approach (as detailed in section 3.5 of the report) with introduction of the RAS to be carried out in conjunction with the SEND Assurance work and the RAS expected to increase top-up costs for many of the school ARPs, balanced out with some savings from mainstream EHCPs (based on annual reviews informed by SEND Assurance work), as well as early years and post-16 settings with the new system designed to provide a needs-led rather than an hours-led approach.

·            In terms of development of the option outlined The Forum was advised that both the High Needs and Early Years Working Groups had provided direction and support for the banding matrix review with views of parents and carers sought through Brent Parent Carer Forum. More detailed work on the descriptors and the functionality of the RAS had been undertaken with school and setting leaders and SENCOs with the banding descriptors now being revised based on feedback from early years and school SENCOs, and with parent carer input.

·            Once the preferred option had been approved, the accompanying descriptors would need be finalised and a process of formal consultation undertaken with schools in September 2024.

·            Modelling was being done with schools to look at their current resource allocations for SEND pupils and to assess impact if matched onto a RAS.

The Chair thanked Shirley Parks and Emma Ferrey for the update and asked the Forum if they had any questions in relation to the information provided with the following noted:

·            In highlighting and expressing concern at the potential impact on his school given the ARP attached, Raphael Moss felt that additional information was needed.  For example, the SEND assurance work that was described in the report stated that 80% was over funded with further detail on the review therefore being sought.  Concerns were also highlighted in relation to delays in the EHCPs process and financial impact being experienced by schools as a result which had also contributed to the financial pressures being experienced.  Additionally, when EHCPs were agreed, the hours and funding agreed were insufficient and only increased following an appeal, therefore it was falling upon schools to pick up the shortfall.  The expectation to move to the new system by April 2025 was, he felt overly ambitious and would have cost implications for schools.  Shirley Parks stated that some of the SEND assurance work was done as part of the DBV work followed by consultation with schools and as a desktop exercise, which she would be willing to share.  Additional resources may be allocated to assist in moving to the new system with schools also to be formally consulted and officers willing to liaise with the Raphael Moss in seeking to address the specific issues raised.

·            It was clarified that £1m was received from the DBV programme and was used to provide targeted funding for various projects.  The funding was not allocated for schools and was for test and learning projects.  Action Point 95:Forum to be provided with an update on use of funding under the DBV Programme.

·            In terms of the approach to be applied to Special Schools officers advised that the banding matrix had been subject to a separate approach which had been reviewed during 2022-23 with officers advising that they would provide details on this when seeking formal approval of any changes to be introduced to the banding matrix following the formal consultation process.  Action Point 96: Forum to be provided with the established banding arrangements for Special Schools.

·            There was concern about what the impact will be on schools when switching to the new RAS, in relation to the proposed April 2025 timescale and the increase in workload for SENCOs.  Shirley Parks stated that whilst the RAS had been designed to improve the existing system it was recognised that the implications for each school would be dependant on funding allocated to each banding rate, which were being finalised and with SENCOs to be given support to ensure that this was embedded in the system.

·            As an additional assurance Nigel Chapman (Corporate Director Children & Young People) advised of the supporting internal review process which had been established in relation the DBV programme which would be extended to include any new banding review.

·            Once the consultation document was finalised with the updated rates, the Forum would more than welcome to provide further comment with the HN Block Subgroup also being asked to review the final option and members of the Forum also welcomed to engage in that process and additional modelling with schools and SENCOs to ascertain impact.

As no further questions or comments were raised the Forum RESOLVED:

(1)       To approve (with 1 member voting against the decision) Option 3 to introduce the proposed Resource Allocation System (RAS) for all children and young people with an EHCP from age 0-25 years in mainstream schools and settings, including ARPs.

(2)       Following on from (1) above (with 1 member abstaining from the decision) to consult on the new approach during the autumn term.

(3)    (with 1 member abstaining from the decision) that the LA and schools/settings work in partnership to implement the RAS for all children and young people based on an initial timescale of April 2025, subject to consultation with schools and settings and a further report being provided for the Forum on the outcome of the consultation process and final timescale.