Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Director Education and Inclusion

a)      SEND Strategy 2025-2029 main report (Page 75 - 134)

b)      Dedicated School Grant and the Safety Valve update (Page 135 - 137)

The Assistant Director Education and Inclusion presented the draft Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Strategy 2025-2029 which details the key elements of the Strategy and the planned implementation with partners.

Members were informed that the SEND Strategy establishes our strategic approach to the delivery of SEND services for children and young people in Darlington, ensuring the offer is coordinated and responsive to the needs of our community. The strategy sets out our shared local area vision, principles, and priorities to ensure that partners across the Darlington local area are working together effectively to identify, assess and meet the needs of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) from birth to the age of 25. The SEND Strategy has been coproduced with partners across the borough, and is fundamental to implementing partners responsibilities under the Children and Families Act 2014. It reflects the ambitions and priorities of the Council Plan and other key strategic documents.

Questions were raised which included how relevant information regarding SEND and EHCPs is being provided to parents with the response that the offer is displayed in as clear terms as possible on the Council website and that outreach and accessibility remains a focus.  With “Let’s Talk SEND” sessions promoted on social media and via flyers including QR codes with evening and online sessions being planned for the future.

It was also asked what impact engagement with children / families had on the development of the strategy with officers confirming that they were heavily included with engagement with children in early years being a priority.

Clarifications of tribunal outcomes was asked with info provided that nationally, 98% of tribunal decisions go against Local Authorities however in Darlington this figure is far lower which underscores the effectiveness of work with parents and carers.

It was asked to whether academisation is an issue to SEND delivery with officers confirming that SENCO staff are present in each school to aid with delivery and if any issues are raised to the Local Authority, they are always considered carefully.

Discussions were held which included the possibility of a Task and Finish group to look into message delivery. 

A member also highlighted that parents have reported difficulties in accessing dyslexia diagnoses which officers agreed to look into.

RESOLVED – Members agreed the recommendations and noted the priorities outlined in the strategy.

Members were also provided with an update on progress made on the Council’s Safety Valve agreement to address historic deficit in the High Needs Block which supports education provision for young people with Special Educational Needs.  The council entered into the “Safety Valve” agreement with the Department for Education (DfE), enabling funding over a 5-year period to address the accumulated deficit on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) High Needs Block (HNB).

RESOLVED – Members noted the Safety Valve terms of agreement and progress made to this date.