(UK) Somerset: Council under pressure as "demand for SEND resources has risen sharply"
Somerset Council has overseen a "rapid improvement" in ensuring children with special needs can move to a new school without delays or disruption.
Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are usually educated in one of two contexts: either at specialist schools constructed by Somerset Council, or within mainstream schools in line with agreed education, health and care plans (EHCPs).
The council has been under increasing financial and logistical pressure as demand for SEND resources has risen sharply, with large numbers of children in Year 6 and Year 11 having their education disrupted because suitable provision for their new school cannot be agreed in time.
The council's executive agreed in early-July to invest £5.3m [$7M]over the next two years to reduce backlogs in assessments and aid with "phased transfers", where SEND children move on from one school to another with additional support being put in place.
Following recent "remarkable changes", the council has now stated that every child in his position will be able to successfully transfer by the October half term.
Councillor Frances Nicholson, shadow portfolio holder for children, families and education, raised the issue when the council's executive committee convened in Taunton on September 2.
Ms Nicholson (who represents the Dulverton and Exmoor division) said: "On June 9, we received a briefing from the executive director for children, families and education setting out the significant pressures facing our SEND services, and the levels of overdue phase transfers for pupils in Years 6 and 11.
"On that date, 53 per cent of children with an EHCP in Year 6 and 78 per cent of those in Year 11 did not have a suitable placement for September finalised. We were also told 97 per cent of EHCP assessments were then overdue.
"Phase transfer work was made the service's top priority, with a target to complete the majority by the end of July.
"I would be grateful if the number of individuals that make up these figures could be given, as well as the number in each of the two phase transfer groups whose suitable placement has now be confirmed and who can attend it from the beginning of term.
"How many in each of the two groups have a suitable place confirmed? Where a place is not available at the beginning of term, what is the average number of weeks that they must wait?
"For those facing a wait, how is education that meets their needsbeing provided in the meantime?"
Councillor Evie Potts-Jones, portfolio holder for SEND, public health, equalities and diversity, said that many of the figures within Ms Nicholson's question had been "superseded" following recent "rapid improvements" and "remarkable changes" within the service.
Ms Potts-Jones (who represents the Yeovil West division) added: "At the beginning of September, there were only 31 children who have a SEND interim package in place - 12 in ages groups up to Year 6, and 19 in Year 11.
Councillor Evie Potts-Jones (Liberal Democrat, Yeovil West) (Image: Somerset Council)
"The expectation is that the vast majority of these children will have a school place by the October half term, and for every child in a phased transfer cohort, there is a school or setting place agreed for that September term start.
"Close working with commissioning colleagues means that there is enough provision to meet the demand for all children and young people. Interim SEND packages are not only being agreed until the October half term.
"We will dedicate at least two officers to only work with settings and families, with the aim that the children and young people in this group have a school placement no later than the October half term."
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