a) Minutes of the meeting held 15^th March 2017 attached.

b) Summary Action Sheet attached

(a) Minutes of the meeting held on 15^th March 2017

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 15^th March 2017 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

(b) Summary Action Sheet

Action 307

A meeting has not yet been arranged.

Brin Martin explained that this relates to another item later in the agenda, which has delayed the meeting scheduling.  There has been some progress in relation to funding, recruitment and retention – but the group has not yet met.

It was expressed that there is some anxiety in schools in relation to recruitment for the coming year.

ACTION: Brin Martin and Amanda Champ to convene this meeting (as per the minutes of the last meeting).

Action 315

Brin Martin discussed the appropriateness of this continuing agenda item – noting that we do not routinely interrogate individual schools in the way we do with Seabrook.  He suggested that this item could be removed from this meeting, and instead discussed at sub groups.

There was some challenge from attendees, who noted that this is an issue that impacts on everybody in terms of accessing the support required for children with additional needs.

Attendees also discussed the use of the funding Seabrook have received, and whether this was affecting change.  It was noted that the funding review will have a likely impact on the budget that Seabrook receive.

Brin Martin explained that we are working hard to progress conversion for 1^st July 2017.  There are plans to reposition the Wentworth building, and we are hoping for completion of the transaction as soon as possible.  Once this is done, we can progress the conversion of the building.

Lastly, Brin Martin explained that he has commissioned a full review of Seabrook which is being reported back to the IEB.

Robin Bevan, Southend High for Boys, expressed that in his opinion the primary concern needs to be the establishment of viable provision.  He added that we need to consider the number of available places too, and whether this number is right.

Brin Martin agreed and noted that this forms part of the agenda.

Cathy Braun noted that there has been difficulty with schools accepting children back after a temporary placement at Seabrook, and also explained that we have been scrutinising permanent exclusions.

Tim Barrett highlighted that Head Teachers are sometimes unclear of what constitutes a child being placed on the waiting list, and this needs to be clearer.

Cathy Braun explained that this will be a key element of SLA meetings moving forwards.

Jerry Glazier suggested the implementation of a panel to look over the need within this local authority, throughout the different years/key stages.

There was further discussion surrounding a lack of resources to meet the needs of inclusion for children with additional or special needs.

Simon Leftley highlighted that there is also a national rise of children accessing early help, on CIN, CP & LAC, which links to this.  He suggested that a piece of work is planned to be undertaken, exploring how Southend is changing demographically, which may need to be considered by this group.

Schools suggested they need better information sharing regarding capacity of other schools, so that they can make clear and realistic plans for children.

ACTION: Sarah Greaves – Vulnerable Learners Sub Group to consider the diagnostic of school places/capacity.

Simon Leftley has asked for a meeting with PLT to determine a ‘road map’ of their progress/plans in future.  Simon asked if there are any specific questions/short term measures that anybody requires to be discussed at this meeting.

The Board asked for a simple flowchart of the referral processes.