Agenda item

To receive an update from Janet Leach, Head of Service of Joint Service for Disabled Children, Schools & Children’s Services.

Janet Leach, Head of Joint Service for Disabled Children introduced Fazilla Amide who is Chair of the ‘Our Voice’ Parent Forum and together they presented the report.

The report described the work and remit of the Joint Service for Disabled Children (JSDC) and provided information about issues affecting the lives of families with children and young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in Enfield.  The following was highlighted:

• The JSDC is a partnership that comprises Enfield Community Service which represents health, the Early Intervention Support Service (EISS) the specialist education team, and Cheviots Children’s Disability Centre, the specialist social care team. The team provides information guidance, advice and support.
• There are social care issues and challenges, with most referrals from the poorer parts of the borough.  Reference was made to the increase in referrals from Palmers Green, this was thought to be as a result of more private rental homes in the area.
• Currently the team provides support to approximately 700 children. There has been an increase in the number of referrals due to the increasing population. It is also possible to see an increase in those referred with ‘complex health needs’.
• Fazilla Amide stressed the importance of having a ‘key worker’ who can provide support for families with newly diagnosed pre-school children. She said this ‘early years’ support is crucial. The intensive intervention lasts a lifetime.  It promotes resilience and helps people in managing stress levels. 
• Services to pre-school children with Special Educational Needs/ Disability Issues are being re-configured to reflect the deletion of the Foundation Stage Support Team.
• The number of disabled children who are Looked after Children (LAC) is 23 i.e 6.7%.
• With reference to short break grants there tends now to be less overnight breaks and more family grants which may help the family over a longer period of time.
• In order to make the most effective use of limited resources the JSDC as part of the DfE Social Innovation Fund together with 5 other Local Authorities are working to co-produce new approaches to assessment in Children’s Social care. They are looking at more creative use of funds, working with parents/ schools, helping people to access the ‘Local Offer’ on website, and delivering training to interested parties such as health visitors and child minders. 

The following issues were raised:

• Members congratulated the team on the results of the Ofsted local area SEND inspection carried out in June 2016.
• The re-configuring of services for pre-school children with SEND was raised and it was noted that the outcome of this would enable the focus for responsibility to be positioned more with teachers, and with children supported through health and care plans. Reconfiguring the service should allow additional funds to be available for preparing children with SEND for starting school.  A concern was raised that teachers would be under additional pressure as a result of the changes.  The service is trying to mitigate against this, there will be a new ‘whole school approach’ with additional training provided.
• It was asked how many children there were with SEND of school age. We have 1948 children and young people with SEN Statements or EHC Plans and about 650 to 700 children and young people in receipt of services and support from JSDC. It was mentioned that special schools tend to now be for children with more complex needs. As SEND needs increase there will be more children using mainstream schools, special schools would have children with more complex requirements.
• It was requested that all parents of children with SEND are kept well informed with clear communication links for children who are at both special and mainstream schools. The Cabinet Member for Education, Children’s Services and Protection is to be asked to ensure that this is done.
• In light of there being less overnight stays it was asked if we are confident that parents are receiving sufficient respite care.  Janet Leach said we were trying to maximise resources and there would always be a need for some overnight stays to continue however it is unlikely that we would ever be able to provide enough respite care. It was confirmed that the money provided for short break grants is not being reduced.
• It was stressed that the waiting time for paediatric assessments continues to be a concern which is due to limited paediatrician cover.
• The SEND reforms resulting from the Children and Families Act 2014 replace statements of SEND with the new statutory Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP) it also imposes duties on Local Authorities in relation to children and young people with SEND aged 0 to 25 years. It was stated that there is an impact on resources where young people may be requiring assessments up to age of 25.  We are working with our colleges and Adult Social Care. In some cases where there are low levels of SEND and young people are not eligible for Adult Social Care we would need to line up pathways for them.

AGREED

1. Overview & Scrutiny Committee NOTED the report.
2. The Cabinet Member for Education Children’s Services and Protection is to be asked to ensure that there are clear communication links for parents of children with SEND who are at both special and mainstream schools

Janet Leach and Fazilla Amide were thanked for presenting the report.