West Northamptonshire SEND Improvement Board, Summary (14 December 2023)

West Northants SEND Improvement Board Summary  14 December 2023

The Board reflected on the co-production feedback for the local area Self Evaluation. It was agreed that the partnership engagement had been excellent, and the breadth and variety of feedback (over 300 people engaged) showed the commitment from across West Northants. The final SEF would be presented for approval to the next SEND Improvement Board in January.

Workstream highlight reports - Workstream 1 Accessibility

Accessibility training has been undertaken to increase efficiency and user-friendliness of information on the Local Offer and local websites. New social media was launched on 13th November with now over 500 followers.

WNC has reviewed templates for communication, now focusing on partnership and initial contact/statutory letters. Thanks were noted for partner and parent input.

Transport subgroup is now set up with voluntary sector partners and community organisation who provide more door-to-door services. The group will be looking at transport options in future.

Workstream highlight reports - Workstream 2 Resources

The workstream is currently small and requires having more members from wider partnership and school representatives. The DfE SEND Regional Adviser will join the group in the new year.

WNC have been let down by a provider of Educational Psychologist so the board agreed to move on to potential solution as soon as possible and will be updated in future meetings.

Specific Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) for SEND and EHCPs are required.

The Speech Language and Communication (SLCN) Balance System will be presented to the SEND Improvement Board in February 2024. 

All Age Autism StrategyThe Board received a presentation from the NHFT Autism and Assurance lead about the All Age Autism Strategy which represents partnership work across Northamptonshire and aligns with government proposals and SEND and AP delivery plan.

Events and workshops have been held collaboratively with young adults to produce the draft strategy. NHFT Autism and Assurance team is exploring more involvement in working with workstreams.

The strategy will be approved in the new year - NHFT to confirm exact details. 

Joint Commissioning StrategyThe Board received a draft Joint Commissioning Strategy, which includes the partnership commitment to co-production, engagement, statement of intent, and governance.

The main purpose of the strategy is to harness opportunities and make best use of all resources informed by children and young people’s needs.

NPFG update and next stepsThe Board were notified that NPFG would be dissolved on 15th December.

The Board received an update that a decision from voting in recent parent forum AGM was to split to two new forums; one in West Northants and one in North Northants. In West Northants, members have been consulted and the name ‘West Northants Voices in Partnership (WNVP)’ was voted as favourite and started being active on 18th December. 

The Board agreed unanimously to work with WNVP as the new strategic parent voice organisation in West Northants. Ben Pearson and WNVP members would meet with Contact to finalise the funding agreement and Service Level Agreement. 

Quick wins - feedback from EHCP auditsThe draft action plan has been developed by the EHCP team, ICB and NCT which included training delivery to caseworkers, social care advice review, personal budget review and smart targets/outcomes. The action plan is a live document and the Board will receive further updates in March 2024.

Data DashboardFocussed discussion about impact to individuals when using the dashboard, advice timeline and backlogs in therapy services. Noted that there is a slight improvement in Speech and Language Therapy (SALT). 

It was noted that there have been a very high number of children moving into West Northants with an EHCP in December which adds additional demand on local specialist provision.

The Board agreed to receive further detailed reports linked to the number of tribunals.

Any Other BusinessFrom 1st April 2024, the responsibility for commissioning the Tier 4 St. Andrews Unit in Northampton will be transferred from the Education Skills Funding Agency service to WNC. The Board will receive further updates in 2024.

Short Breaks consultation result will be updated in the next meeting.