Agenda item

Report of the Darlington Parent Carer Forum

Carla Scaith, Co-ordinator for Darlington Parent Carer Forum attended the meeting and presented the report of the Darlington Parent Carer Forum – Together for Better (previously circulated), a report on life for families of children with additional needs during lockdown and thereafter;  and outlined her role working with a group of parents, who work with education, health and social care as well as other providers to ensure that the service delivered meets the needs of families in our area.

The submitted report provided some background to the Darlington Parent Carer Forum; the Covid -19 response and feedback on what parents needed; outlined the responses to a survey completed in August 2020; and what the current situation was now.

Carla acknowledged the good participation and engagement in Darlington and the effects of the pandemic and the work that had been undertaken through unprecedented times, however did advise Members that some families did not receive the support that they needed at the beginning of the pandemic.  She emphasised within her report that it was key is to involve children and families but unfortunately regarding risk assessments only five families were actually involved in their risk assessment.  51 responses to the survey.   She also highlighted within her report that children with an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) should have had a school place but that was not the message that families had received and some were advised not to send their children to school.

Members acknowledged that service delivery from the schools at the beginning of the process had given them some concern and questioned the reasons for this so that lessons could be learned.   Carla confirmed that the issues were raised and actions taken at that time, however the risk assessments had already been completed at that point.

The Chair also noted that it appeared that children with an EHCP who should have had a school place had received advice not to send their children to school.  

Members were also concerned that based on some feedback Carla had received, children with additional need did not receive adequate support for home learning during the first lockdown period and it was agreed that further information on this be provided at the fact-finding event being held in January

to examine the effects and ongoing impact of the pandemic on our children and young people to establish any gaps and ultimately made recommendations and challenge partners do more if necessary.

Members also expressed their concerns that families were not being involved in their risk assessments and for early intervention to be effective and questioned if this was a result of the pandemic or a systemic problem and Members agreed to monitor this closely.

The Head of Education and Inclusion thanked Carla and her colleagues for their commitment and experience in supporting parents in Darlington and acknowledged that with regard to the risk assessments it was very disappointing and that guidance was clear that families and children should be integral to that process and that there were lessons that could be learnt from the Forums report. With regard to attendance he confirmed that the details in the report would be discussed further at the Education Strategy Group and Special Educational Need Coordinators Network to address the issues raised.

Regarding attendance the Head of Education and Inclusion advised Members that the Department for Education data as at 10 December 2020 showed that nationally 80 per cent of children with an EHCP were attending school and 77 per cent were attending Special Schools; compared to Darlington where 89 per cent of children with an EHCP were attending school and in special schools 92 per cent were in attendance.

He also stated that there was a gap between primary and secondary schools, 92 per cent of pupils with an EHCP were in attendance in primary and 75 per cent in secondary schools and he will be working with the Forum and schools as we move in to another uncertain period with the pandemic.

Following a question by a Member on what more the Council could be doing, the Head of Education and Inclusion advised Members that it was a statutory responsibility of the Council to ensure that the needs of a child with additional educational need highlighted in an EHCP are met. He confirmed that he would  follow up the Forum’s report with his own audit around risk assessments and reemphasise the message to schools around risk assessments that children and families are to be involved.

Regarding ECHP, Carla also advised Members that there was emphasis on school attendance and a lot of guidance from the Department for Education specially around school placements and risk assessments however during the pandemic therapy ceased, NHS staff were seconded to different areas, speech and language and occupational therapy, direct payments and short breaks also ceased during the pandemic.  She acknowledged that the CAMHS service did respond well in Darlington with on line appointments and offering in person appointments also and this was reported to the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

RESOLVED  - (a) That the report of the Darlington Parent Carer Froum be noted.

(b) That Carla Scaith be thanked for her presentation and honest input into discussions thereon.