Agenda and draft minutes

Councillor Corall Jenkins – personal reasons

Councillor Pavlos Kotsonis – unwell

Jill Colbert (sent substitite)

Vicky Murphy

None.

Minutes of the meeting held on 22 October 2024, for confirmation

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 October 2024 were confirmed as a correct record and they were signed by the Chair.

Report of the Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education

This decision is exempt from call-in.

Councillor Cheryl Barnard, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, presented the report.

The Children and Families Act (2014) and Code of Practice for SEN (2014) places explicit duties on local authorities and Integrated care boards (ICBs) for developing joint commissioning arrangements for education, health and care provision for children and young people with SEN or disabilities. The duty includes the joint arrangements for commissioning services to improve outcomes for 0 to 25-year-old children and young people with SEND, including those with Education Health and Care (EHC) plans.

The Nottingham and Nottinghamshire SEND Joint Commissioning Strategy 2024-2027 empowers the Council and its key stakeholders to effectively navigate the evolving SEND landscape and enhance the confidence of parents and carers in the associated processes and provisions.

This strategy outlines local joint commissioning approaches and details how partners collaborate to commission services that improve health, social, and educational outcomes while reducing inequalities for children and young people with SEND in Nottinghamshire. A person-centred approach ensures that the voices and aspirations of children, young people, and their families are integral to the commissioning process.

A new strategy is crucial for meeting the standards of the Local Area SEND Inspection and is integral to strengthening SEND governance and leadership within the SEND system.

Resolved to

(1)  consider the draft Joint SEND Commissioning Strategy 2024-2027;

(2)  agree the proposed strategic direction set out in the draft Joint SEND Commissioning Strategy 2024-2027;

(3)  agree to the publishing of the Joint SEND Commissioning Strategy 2024-2027. Subject to any changes required by this committee with delegation to the Director of Education to approve any amendments required before publication.

Reasons for decisions:

·  The Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice (2015). In developing a joint commissioning approach, Nottingham City, Nottinghamshire County, and the ICB can ensure full compliance with national SEND legislation. Working collaboratively enables all parties to meet the requirements of local area SEND inspections, which focus on how well services work together to improve outcomes for children with SEND.

·  By commissioning a joint SEND strategy, Nottingham City Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, and the ICB can create a more efficient, integrated, and consistent system of support for children and young people with SEND across both regions.

·  A single, integrated strategy ensures that the needs of children and young people with SEND are met holistically in a multi-disciplinary approach across education, health and social care which can ensure that services are well-coordinated, reducing overlaps and gaps in provision. Thus, strengthening the SEND local offer.

·  Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County share a significant number of families whose children move between these areas. A joint strategy would promote consistent SEND services, eligibility criteria, and support structures across the two regions. This consistency would reduce confusion for families who might otherwise encounter differing policies and processes when accessing SEND services in different areas.

·  SEND children often require complex healthcare services in addition to educational support. By including the ICB in the commissioning process, the health needs of children and young people with SEND can be more effectively integrated with educational plans. This ensures that their physical and mental health needs are aligned with their learning objectives, promoting better overall well-being and improving long-term outcomes for SEND children and their families.

·  A joint SEND strategy enables stronger and more coherent engagement with key stakeholders, including parents, carers, schools, healthcare providers, and third[1]sector organisations. By working together, Nottingham City, Nottinghamshire County and the ICB can create a more transparent process, improve communication, and involve families more meaningfully in the planning and evaluation of SEND services.

·  The demand for SEND services is increasing national and locally. A joint commissioning strategy allows for better planning and forecasting to meet this growing demand. It ensures that resources are allocated efficiently and that services are developed to cater to the increasing number of children and young people with SEND, particularly in the context of changing demographics and increased diagnoses of SEND needs such as autism or speech, language, and communication difficulties.

·  SEND children often face inequalities in accessing education, healthcare, and social support. A joint strategy ensures that all children, regardless of whether they live in Nottingham City or Nottinghamshire County, receive equitable access to services. By working together, the councils and the ICB can identify areas where certain groups or localities may be disadvantaged and implement targeted interventions to address these disparities.

Other options considered:

·  The Executive Board could determine to not develop a new Joint SEND Commissioning Strategy. However, Nottingham City’s SEND Local Area Inspection is imminent and a system approach to SEND Commissioning is a requirement under the Ofsted Local Area Inspection Framework.

·  Learning from Nottinghamshire County Council’s Local Area Inspection evidences the necessity of a joined-up strategy as crucial aspect of improving SEND governance and the leadership of the SEND system.

To consider excluding the public from the meeting during consideration of the remaining items in accordance with Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, under Schedule 12A, Part 1, Paragraph 3, on the basis that, having regard to all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining an exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information

Resolved to exclude the public from the meeting during consideration of the remaining items in accordance with Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, under Schedule 12A, Part 1, Paragraph 3, on the basis that, having regard to all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining an exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Report of the Executive Member for Carbon Reduction, Leisure and Culture

Councillor Sam Lux, Executive Member for Carbon Reduction, Leisure and Culture, presented the exempt report.

Resolved to approve the recommendations set out in the exempt report.

Reasons for decisions and other options considered are set out in the exempt minutes.