Agenda item

Note the progress made as set out in the body of the report and comment as appropriate.

The Lead Member for Education & Children’s Services introduced the latest update report on the progress in implementing the actions taken to address the priorities by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in their inspection from 2021.

The report also provided a summary of the main information shared with the Department for Education (DfE) and the NHSE (NHS England) at the Written Statement of Action Monitoring Meeting in July 2024.  The first Safety Valve Agreement monitoring report of the 2024/25 financial year had been sent to the DfE at the end of May and a summary was provided.  It was noted that demand for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) had risen considerably and a full review of sufficiency, place planning and capital projects was being undertaken to ensure this demand could be met with a report to be provided to Cabinet later in the year.

The Executive Director for Children’s Services updated on the progress made in delivering the Written Statement of Action.  This had included 94 identified actions of which 43 had been completed and evidenced to date, with 8 of the action rated as red.  Work was continuing to reduce the historic backlog of EHCPs with funding secured for an intervention team to support this priority.  A key priority was to try to ensure Slough children could stay in Slough and have their needs met.  Building strong relationships with schools and expanding provision at Arbour Vale had been important actions to seek to address this aim.

Members asked a number of questions about the backlog of EHCPs and the role of the intervention team which was focused on clearing the backlog.  In response to a question about complaints about the service the Executive Director commented that some complaints were about the time taken to put in place EHCPs due to the backlog, and others were from parents dissatisfied with the decisions made about the support provided.  A complaints manager had recently been appointed to lead this process.  Members also asked questions about the Safety Valve process and the position on staff recruitment and retention which officers responded to.

At the conclusion of the discussion the update was noted.

Resolved –That the progress made as set out in the body of the report be noted.