Agenda item

Report of the Director of Children and Adults Services

The Director of Children and Adults Services submitted a report (previously circulated) to provide an update on progress to date against the delivery of the Special Educational Needs Accessibility Strategy 2017/2020 and the actions required to comply with legislation.

All local authorities are required by Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 to prepare an accessibility strategy in relation to schools for which it is the responsible body and was approved by Council in 2017.  

The Strategy sets out how the Local Authority will work with schools to increase the extent to which disabled children and young people can participate in the school curriculum; improve the physical environment of schools; and improve delivery of information to pupils with disabilities and/or learning difficulties.

It was reported that although the strategy was in relation to the authority’s maintained schools the Council had developed a Traded Service for Academies providing advice and guidance through working with schools to use the audit tool and in delivery of bespoke training.

The submitted report also outlined some key messages received from supporting and guiding educational settings in their development of Accessibility Plans which underpin the strategy.

RESOLVED – (a) That Members note the updated Accessibility Strategy.

(b) That Members note the progress in implementing the Strategy and the steps to support schools embed accessibility further.