DECISION

To note the contents of the SEND Improvement Board Annual Report 2021/22.

Councillor Maium Talukdar, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Lifelong Learning introduced the report which provided an overview of the progress and impact of SEND improvement work during this period; how the council and partners have been working together to deliver on the priorities set out in the SEND Strategy (2020-24) and SEND Improvement Plan, as well as progressing work to address the four areas of significant weakness identified in the inspection carried out by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in 2021. Councillor Talukdar explained that the report is organised around the five priorities of the SEND Strategy (2020-24), with details of ‘You Said We Did’ actions featured for each.

The Mayor welcomed the report and highlighted the importance of a vigilant approach to all services for young people, especially given the recent CQC and Ofsted findings as referenced in the report. He reported specific concerns raised by residents regarding reduced provision for autistic children. The Mayor asked officers to produce a paper explaining how SEND support provision had been changed in recent years, with a view to informing growth bids, as necessary, in the next budget preparation cycle. He agreed the recommendations in the report.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the contents of the SEND Improvement Board Annual Report 2021/22.