Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence received.

Apologies had been received from:

• Cllr Jackman
• Cllr James, Cllr Groves attended as the deputy for the Liberal Democrat Group.
• Sharron Morton, Hampshire Primary Schools
• Justin Innes, Hampshire Special Schools

All Members who believe they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that interest and, having regard to Part 3 Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members’ Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore all Members with a Personal Interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider, having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 4 of the Code, whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, consider whether it is appropriate to leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3, Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Personal interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

No declarations were made.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the previous meeting were reviewed and agreed.

To receive any deputations.

No deputations were received.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman welcomed Georgina Mulhall back to the Panel as a representative of the Teachers’ Liaison Panel.

To receive a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an update on the transformation of SEN services.

The Panel received a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an overview of the County Council’s programmes to transform the provision of Special Educational Needs.

Officers set out the national context for SEND, noting that the number of children with an EHCP has doubled since legislative change in 2015 but the funding provided to pay for the support has not. The Department for Education has established two programmes to assist Local authorities to bring down their deficits, the Safety Valve and Delivering Better Value.

The Panel received an overview of the projects and workstreams being undertaken by the directorate to transform SEND in Hampshire, separated into three key areas;

·         Right Support, Right Time

·         Improve Outcomes, Control Costs

·         Continuous Improvement

Officers concluded with an overview of the Delivering Better Value programme and the scope of the programme for 2024/25.

In response to questions members found that;

·         While SEND provision is a statutory function for all schools, it is difficult to ensure there is a consistent provision across Hampshire.

·         Schools do receive additional funding for each pupil with an EHCP, but this does not cover the costs associated with that child and so schools with more EHCPs are disproportionately affected.

·         A key project was Person Centred Planning, a meeting to focus on a child’s need which has been shown to reassure parents that their child’s needs will be met without the need to move onto an EHCP.

RESOLVED:

That the Education Advisory Panel note the update on Hampshire's SEN Transformation.

To receive a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an overview of Hampshire’s SEND Service.

The Panel received a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an overview of Hampshire’s SEN Service, including the SEN Strategy for 2020-24.

Officers set out that the aims of the strategy and shared data on EHCP requests and the timeliness of their responses. It was noted that there are currently over 16,500 plans maintained by Hampshire. Officers concluded with an overview of the specialist placements in development within Hampshire.

It was noted that requests for EHCPs are mainly received by schools and parents, but a smaller number are received direct from the young person or external agencies.

RESOLVED:

That the Education Advisory Panel note the update on Hampshire's SEND service.

To receive a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an overview of inititives undertaken to maintain Hampshire’s Headteacher’s wellbeing.

The Panel received a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an overview of initiatives to support the wellbeing of Hampshire's headteachers.

Officers shared that there had been an increase in the number of headteachers reporting experiencing significant anxiety in relation to their role and in increase in the number of cases requiring direct support. This has led to esteemed and effective headteachers leaving the profession and the general reduction of the number of leaders stepping forward into headship. It was noted that resolving this issue was key to support a healthy school system and ensuring a strong workforce which supports Hampshire’s pupils.

The Panel received an overview of the measures already in place, both internally and externally to support head teachers in their role and with their mental health alongside those on track to be established.

Officers provided a detailed response to the Coroner’s Report into the death of Ruth Perry, including the workstreams in place when an Ofsted inspection is initiated to facilitate the process while supporting the wellbeing of senior leadership of schools.

In response to questions members found that;

•              Support was also provided to school governors to support head teachers and be aware of their wellbeing.

•              Ofsted can contact the local authority to express concerns about staff mental health or wellbeing during an inspection.

•              Ofsted is receiving a significant increase in complaints since the pandemic, but this has not led to an increase in inspections.

Resolved:

That the Education Advisory Panel note the update on initiatives to support the wellbeing of Hampshire's headteachers.