Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Education, Work & Skills

This report is to provide an update to Childrens Scrutiny on the current position and context of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Stockport. The report will have a particular emphasis upon SEN school places and attendance.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to consider the information in this report and the current actions to address distinct issues and to agree that a further update is given in February 2024 once the actions as outlined have been completed.

Officer contact: Tim Bowman on 07977 661073 or email: tim.bowman@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Education, Work & Skills submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the current position and context of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Stockport with particular emphasis upon SEN school places and attendance.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education (Councillor Wendy Meikle) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·       Members welcomed the report and thanked officers for the details and thoroughness of the explanations.

·       It was reported that the support being provided was a complexed situation with growth needed post-covid with needs being identified in the report that mirrors the national picture, but these things were being communicated back to Headteachers to keep them informed.

·       Concern was expressed regarding the longer children went without needs being met, the more complexed the situations became with more pressures and challenges being put on the educational psychologists. It was stated that additional educational psychologists had been recruited but there was still capacity with new ones starting in September 2024 to reduce the vacancies.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Scrutiny Committee agrees that a further update be submitted in February 2024 once the actions as outlined in the report have been completed.