Report No. 86/2018 from the Director for People was received.

The SEND Capital Programme was initiated in November 2017 and provided Rutland with an opportunity to put in place additional local education places to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND and assist them as they mature into independence. The first phase of this programme had been focussed on understanding the SEND population and determining how to focus the RCC resources earmarked for this programme. The Board had previously agreed to approach the project in two phases.

Mr David Wilby, Portfolio Holder for Lifelong Learning, introduced the report the purpose of which was to provide an update on Phase 1 of the SEND Capital Programme and to seek approval to progress Phase 2.

During discussion the following points were raised:

      i.        During phase 1 of the programme a building at Uppingham Community college had been identified as a suitable site for providing a resources base. Phase 2 would look at ensuring that the building was fit for purpose.

    ii.        The principal of Uppingham Community College has been investigating similar sites elsewhere in the Country to further his understanding of what was involved in this type of mainstream, school based provision.

DECISION:

1.    Cabinet APPROVED the use of £200k of funding earmarked in RCC Cabinet in December 2016 combined with the £500k Department for Education (DfE) grant between 2018 and 2021 to increase education places to support children with SEND. The report identified the cohorts of children with SEND who were the priority for this investment.

2.    Cabinet APPROVED the progression to Phase 2 of the SEND Capital programme, and following completion of Phase 2 the delegation of authority to the Director for People to award the Grant, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Lifelong Learning.

Reasons for the decision.

1.    RCC had a duty to provide sufficient suitable education places to enable children and young people to maintain their education in their community and to achieve their education outcomes and progress towards independence. The SEND Capital Programme in consultation with children, families and key partners anticipated that there was a need for local resourced provision places for children and young people aged 11-16 with SEND, and a need to enhance and increase the SEND provision in particular to meet the needs of those with Communication and Interaction needs (including Autism) with Education Health and Care plans (EHCPs).

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Mrs B Caffrey and Ms. L Crookenden- Johnson left the meeting and did not return.

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