Post 16 High Needs Students Paul Richardson Head of Learning and Skills

Session Overview Legislation How the process is changing Options for Post-16 High Needs provision and the conditions How the funding system works Benefits Possible challenges Questions

Current Legislation (1) The Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 places a duty on the local education authority to ensure that enough suitable education and training is provided to meet the reasonable needs of: (a) persons in their area who are over compulsory school age but under 19, and (b)persons in their area who are aged 19 or over but under 25 and are subject to learning difficulty assessment. This provision can be from outside as well as within their area.

Current Legislation (2) In deciding whether education or training is suitable to meet persons' reasonable needs, a local education authority must (in particular) have regard to— (a) the persons' ages, abilities and aptitudes; (b) any learning difficulties the persons may have; (c) the quality of the education or training; (d) the locations and times at which the education or training is provided. And as these are public funds we are required to ensure provision delivers value for money

New Legislation Children and Families Bill When commissioning provision the local authority must be satisfied that: (a) the interests of the young person require special educational provision to be made, and (b) it is appropriate for education and training to be provided to the young person at that institution. (c) where board and lodgings are provided at the institution, that special educational provision cannot be provided unless board and lodging are also provided.

Current Process Assessment completed by local authority. Provision agreed by panel Funding request submitted by local authority to Education Funding Agency (EFA). EFA funds from regional pot (excludes Post 16 in Special Schools – LA funds)

New Process Assessment completed by local authority Provision agreed by panel – multi agency Place numbers submitted to Education Funding Agency who fund first £10,000 - £11,000 per place Local authority fund ‘top-up’ to actual costs out of new High Needs budget in real-time

Assessment Process Previously a young person would have a statement of educational need or a S139 assessment (post 16) Under the draft Children and Families bill this will change to an Education, Health and Care Plan – the ‘One’ Plan As Darlington is a pathfinder EHC’s can/will be used from September 2013.

Options for High Needs Provision 1.Is Special Education provision appropriate? Or is it still appropriate? Annual review 2.Can it be provided locally? If not, 3.Is there a specialist provision nearby that can provide it? If not, 4.Is a residential placement required?

Conditions Must be an Education Funding Agency (EFA) approved provider Must be achieving measurable educational outcomes. Reviewed annually. Must differentiate between Education, Health and Social Care provision Must consult with provider beforehand

Funding Process – Place Plus

Timeline for placements September (Y11/Y13) at the latest final assessment made of educational need October – inform EFA of place numbers January – provisional place numbers agreed March – final place numbers notified to LA September – Student starts provision

Benefits of new process Single process 0-25 Single assessment across Education, Health and Care Single funding system for providers - Special Schools / Colleges / ISPs all funded under the same formula Better value for money – we can now compare provider costs across providers Competitive market is encouraging more local delivery; for example Darlington College is now working with two ISPs to develop local specialist provision

Possible challenges Getting all the agencies to work together EFA cap on place numbers Shortfall in funding transferred into LA, can’t now call on regional / national pot. Raising of the Participation Age – 17 for this years leavers and 18 next year. Minimum requirement of 600 hours for full participation (16 hours a week)