1. Future of SEND Provision in Islington (SEND Review) - Update
Tuesday 08 November 2016

2. Overview:
A review of SEND provision across Islington was undertaken because of growing demand.
The review has taken into account of the views of children and young people and their parents, headteachers, governors, SENCOs as well as colleagues from Health and Social Care.
As part of the process we have also considered where we might also reshape our local offer to make better use of resources - this has resulted in other recommendations for action which have become part of the overall work programme.
Central Government Review of High Needs and the proposals that money is redistributed nationally - so that London LAs are likely to lose money - perhaps as much as 10% of the current budget over a three year period, starting in ….

3. Current Local Offer
We have a good range of local specialist SEND provision representing the four areas of need identified within the SEND Code of Practice:
Cognition and learning (Samuel Rhodes) [120 places]
Communication and interaction (The Bridge) [200 places]
Physical and sensory (Richard Cloudesley) [60 places]
Social, emotional and mental health needs (New River College) [120 places]
Specialist mainstream provision at Robert Blair and Laycock mainstream schools [80 places].

4. Current Local Offer
A number of suggestions - but the most popular has been to grow alternative approaches rather than keep expanding special schools.
We know the pressure points - a very substantial increase in the numbers of children and young people with severe and complex SEND over recent years, particularly in the area of Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) and mental health:

5. Principles The following key principles underpinned the review:
A commitment to meet needs locally
Accommodation that is fit for purpose
Provision should be based on early intervention and linked to individual needs, not
fixed categories
Integrated and partnership working
The main driver should be improving outcomes for children and families and safeguarding children and young people with SEND
Efficient, effective and value for money provision
And our work should continue to be informed by the priorities identified by parents:
‘Do nothing about us without us’ (Access and Empowerment)
‘The right support for the right children in the right place at the right time’ (Responsiveness and Timely Support)
‘Make sure all workers understand disability’ (Improving Service Quality and Capacity)

6. And another thing….
Special School place pressure and options was the primary purpose of the review. But other things emerged…:
SEND forecasting methodology: how can we know trends for the future
Pathways and progression routes: what happens next?
Funding arrangements: are they right?
Benchmarking with other LAs: how do we compare
Quality of provision: including independent school placements

7. Specific recommendations: Communication and interaction
Position:
Will need capacity for ASC of and additional places by 2024/25, based on current trajectory of identification (which makes Islington a high identifier):
Action:
Opening satellite classes through a new Free School that will be part of The Bridge London Trust (for September 2017)
Remodelling existing physical space at The Bridge (both sites) where possible
More investment in increasing capacity in mainstream (through Outreach)
The Bridge provide for ASD only

8. Specific recommendations: Physical and sensory
Position:
Will need another 20 places for children with PMLD by 2024/25. Also a shortfall in capacity for early identification and intervention for children with hearing impairment  
Action:
For Richard Cloudesley school to be our main local provider for children and young people with PMLD
Develop regional provision at post 16 to improve the local offer and release physical capacity at Richard Cloudesley.
Increase Early Years provision for this group (from September 2017)
Increase in provision for children with hearing impairment from birth (an additional three days per week of specialist peripatetic support, managed through the sensory outreach team) - from September 2016.

9. Specific recommendations: Social, emotional and mental health need
Position:
Gaps in provision for children and young people with diagnosed Mental Health disabilities (e.g. eating disorders, depression, attachment) and those exhibiting challenging behaviours, in the local context of increased gang activity
Action:
Developing a 'satellite' approach (e.g. Arsenal project) (from Sept 2016)
New River College to manage the full local Alternative Provision continuum (from September 2016)
Review the specification of New River College outreach service
Alternative models of delivery in partnership with Health and Social Care Services through joint work
We have supported a bid to open a new Alternative Provision Free School in Islington (Westside)

10. Specific recommendations: Cognition and learning
Position:
Increasing complexity of presentation i.e. moderate learning difficulties plus….
Actions:
Re-designating Samuel Rhodes School to more closely reflect to current student profile and future projected need
Relocating the primary department to more suitable premises

11. Other things that are happening:
SEND forecasting and identification of pressure points: develop our approach to collecting data; a current Public Health review of ASC diagnosis pathways will also provide critical information that should enable us to refine our projections.
At which points and through which services children and young people enter the system: a significant number of special school placements occur for children in mainstream schools whose needs either 'emerge' or for whom mainstream school placement ceases to be appropriate.
Introduction of a 'Funding Matrix' so that how top-up is calculated is clearer to all…

12. Funding Matrix
Islington Local Offer
Keyword search: Funding Matrix

13. Other things that are happening:
A formal 'Collaborative Partnership' of Special School Heads, so that the continuum of local provision can be well managed and more responsive to local need

14. How do we compare?
Benchmarking with other LAs Shows Islington as a high spender on SEND - are we spending wisely? Outcomes seem to say ‘Yes’…
Employment
Community inclusion
Independent living
Health
E1 Learning
C1 Communication and language
I1 Emotional development
H1 Physical development
E2 Reading
C2 Decision making
I2 Behavioural development
H2 Managing a health issue or medical condition
E3 Writing
C3 Safety
I3 Looking after a home
H3 Self care skills
E4 Numeracy
C4 Parenting capacity
I4 Resilience
H4 Weight management
E5 Attendance and engagement
C5 Parenting capacity SEND
I5 Responsibility
H5 Sleeping
E6 Routine and structure
C6 Participation in community
I6 Travel
H6 Housing
E7 Employment skills/ economic activity
C7 Social relationships
I7 Financial management
H7 Mental health

15. Outcomes

16. A challenge…… Discussion:
In October government asked every Local Authority:
Would a new special school be beneficial?
What type of provision? (top-up funding rate, location?)
What proposer groups would we want to apply?
What do you think having heard this presentation?