West Northamptonshire SEND Improvement Board, Summary (12 October 2023)

SEND Improvement Board Summary (12 October 2023)

SEND and AP Strategy Launch

A successful partnership launch was held on 26th September 2023. There were more than 500 parents, carers, health, social care and education professionals attended the two events at iCon Innovation Centre in Daventry. This included a partnership presentation, a series of workshops and information sessions alongside a marketplace of stalls and displays from a range if local organisation providing support for SEND families.

The vast majority of feedback on the day was very positive (200 out of 203 attendees responded positively), Both events were a sell-out, although it was noted some local groups booked tickets and did not attend which was disappointing as there was a waiting list of attendees unable to book tickets due to capacity of the venue.

BP informed that an online event will be arranged to accommodate those on the waiting list.

The young people who co-produced the launch were fantastic and they have plans for a series of further events to celebrate good practice.

Delivery Plan – Current Progress

BP shared that the delivery plan continues to be co-produced. Each workstream has representation from education, health, social care and parents. Each workstream will provide a highlight report to the Board monthly, linked to the priorities in the strategy.

The Board acknowledged the need to communicate consistent messages across the whole local system. The Board will review the possibly of a SEND newsletter to communicate the same messages to all settings.

Data/performance Dashboard Update

The partnership performance dashboard was presented. It was agreed that all partners needed to contribute to the narrative that explained the performance.

It was agreed there would be a specific focus on timeliness of EHCPs at the next meeting, to understand what services caused the delays in assessments.

It was noted that there is WNC have fewer children identified by schools as having an additional need. This data needs to be investigated to understand whether it is recording, practise or training issues.

Development of Outcomes Framework

It was agreed that the Board needed a consistent way of capturing the impact of services on children and families.

All partners invited to attend a specific session to look at national good practice and to co-produce a local outcomes framework that would be developed to align with the new strategy and delivery plan.

Health Inspection Preparation Discussion

The preparation sessions took place to ensure all relevant teams have a consistent understanding about the inspection process, especially case tracking practise.

There was feedback from NHFT at the SEND Assurance Board meeting in September about key lines of the enquiry regarding a template being pulled together based on the SEND inspection framework so the impact to children, young people and families from local area SEND arrangements is being monitored. NHFT also did the summary of the current position, risks and challenges.

BP advised that there will soon be a new DfE advisor allocated to the West. It will be helpful for local partnership to work closely with NHS England and DfE.

Local Offer Update

The new WNC Local Offer is still under development and being co-produced. The new SEND logo, designed by young people with SEND, has been added and content continues to be updated.

The new West Northants social media pages will be launched in mid-November and there will be a campaign to start directing people to the specific West Northants area. Young local people who are working on this project want to have pictures of their own on the website not stock images. This is another area for development.

The new site can be accessed here: www.westnorthants.gov.uk/local-offer 

AOB

Kim Stephenson will now be the lead for West NPFG.  All development projects will be overseen by Kim for the foreseeable future.

Cllr B thanked Claire Baxter for her hard work representing children and parents and dedication to take NPFG through the most difficult time. NPFG under CB’s supervision has led the local partnership to perform better.