Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Director – Education and Inclusion

The Assistant Director of Education and Inclusion submitted a report (previously circulated) to present the draft Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Strategy 2025-2029 which detailed the key elements of the Strategy and the planned implementation with partners.

The report explained that the SEND Strategy established the strategic approach to the delivery of the SEND services for children and young people in Darlington which ensured the offer is coordinated and responsive to the needs of our community.

It also described how the strategy set out the shared local area vision, principles and priorities which would ensure that partners across Darlington local area were working together effectively to identify, assess and meet the needs of children and young people with SEND from birth to the age of 25.

The report set out how the SEND Strategy had been coproduced with partners across the borough and is fundamental to implementing partners responsibilities under the Children and Families Act 2014. It also reflected the ambitions and priorities of the Council Plan and other key strategic documents.

Discussion ensued around the assessment and diagnosis of SEND and the current issues with regards to the wait times to be assessed for SEND.

Members then moved onto the top of accessibility and if this would be covered under the strategy, Members expressed concerns on the waiting list for transport to and from schools.

RESOLVED – That the Health and Wellbeing Board note the report.