Agenda item

The report provides an update on the DSG Deficit Management Plan and Delivering Best Value Programme.

Shirley Parks (Director Education, Partnerships and Strategy, Brent Council) introduced a report, providing a further update on progress to date against the DSG Management Plan and an update on Brent’s participation in the Department for Education's (DfE) Delivering Better Value (DBV) in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) programme, aimed at supporting a reduction in expenditure against the High Needs Block of the Dedicated Schools’ Grant (DSG

The Forum noted the following key points as part of the update provided:

·            The Delivering Better Value programme was focussed on understanding and testing elements of how the SEND system worked and to see if efficiencies could be found in allocating and funding.

·            A rise in demand of Education, Health & Care Plans (EHCPs) had been noted over the years and there was a concern that the budget would not keep pace with the growth in EHCPs. Funding allocations for the High Needs Block had increased by 3% in 2024-25 and 6% in 2025-26, however EHCPs had increased by 8-11% in that time period.

·            There was a need to manage the rising demand of EHCPs so it was important to only maintain EHCPs as long as they were needed, to make use of all available funding and to ascertain whether a child’s needs could be met through ordinarily available provision.

·            Much work was being done to improve sufficiency of school places and work with partners to set up satellite provisions or expand existing special school places.

·            The DBV programme had officially come to an end in March 2025.  However, as detailed within the report some of the DBV pilot projects were being taken forward into business as usual.  These included work in relation to Intervention First, SEND Assurance, Workforce and inclusive environments and Commissioning and a focus (working with a group of Head Teachers) to develop the structure of SEND support services across the borough.

·            Roxanne Glennon highlighted the concern around the pressure on spend placed by the independent sector placements and need to ensure appropriate commissioning arrangements.

Following this, the Chair asked the Forum for any comments or questions with the following noted:

·            Nigel Chapman highlighted that work had been ongoing with partners over the last 3 years with Brent having maintained a stable position in relation to management of its deficit and commended all colleagues involved.

·            The pressures experienced by schools in regard to management of their budgets was recognised with colleagues for their hard work.

·            Further details were sought in regard to costs and allocations for independent schools.  ACTION: Folake Olufeko and Roxanna Glennon agreed to provide this information at the next meeting.

·            Calcification was sought on whether the Intervention First approach would be retained in the Harlesden cluster as well as expanded to other clusters.  Roxanna Glennon emphasized the importance of positive and impactful intervention.  This academic year, the Intervention First project had been extended to January 2026, as the ICB had started offering mental health intervention and added that it was crucial to commission accordingly to avoid any duplication.

The Chair thanked Shirley Parks for the report and as no further questions or comments were raised the Forum RESOLVED to note the report.