Agenda item

Report of the Director of Children and Adults Services, Darlington Borough Council.

The Director of Children and Adults Services submitted a report (previously circulated) requesting that consideration be given to the content of the updated Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Strategy (2019-2022) (also previously circulated).

The submitted report outlined the content of the updated SEND strategy 2019-2022 which proposed a local vision along with priorities for the future provision and development of services to support children with SEND; stated that further work had commenced with the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to develop the draft strategy so that it could be adopted by the Local Authority and the CCG as a local area strategy for Darlington; and provided an update on the public consultation which had been undertaken.

Particular reference was made to the number of pupils with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs that were placed in high cost specialist provisions out of area, due to the lack of suitable local specialist provision, and stated that the strategy had identified this as a key area of consideration for commissioning local provision to meet the need and manage demand.

Discussion ensued on the role of the multi-agency SEND steering group in progressing the SEND strategy.

RESOLVED – (a) That the key objectives, as outlined in the draft SEND Strategy, as appended to the submitted report, be agreed and the development of a local area strategy be supported.

(b) That a joint approach to delivering the SEND Strategy and the opportunity to work together on an integrated approach to SEND, be endorsed.

(c) That an update report be submitted to the next meeting of the Board, to include any identified risks.

REASON – The strategy provides a framework to drive the work of the SEND partnership in Darlington through to 2022 to deliver the best possible outcomes for children and young people with SEND and their families.