Wiltshire Special Educational Needs Strategy Supporting Schools 2015/18 Content
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Wiltshire Special Educational Needs Strategy Supporting Schools 2015/18 Content Section I Introduction .................................................................................................................... 3 I.1 Executive summary ........................................................................................................... 3 I.2 Purpose and scope ........................................................................................................... 5 I.3 Vision ................................................................................................................................ 7 I.4 Developing the strategy .................................................................................................... 7 Section II The present: Current Position in Wiltshire.................................................................... 10 II.1 Prevalence of SEN in Wiltshire ....................................................................................... 10 II.2 Current education provision in Wiltshire for pupils with SEN ........................................... 15 II.3 SEN attainment and progress in Wiltshire schools .......................................................... 34 II.4 SEN pupils attendance and exclusions ........................................................................... 40 II.5 Services that support SEN provision in Wiltshire ............................................................. 44 II.6 SEN funding.................................................................................................................... 50 Section III The future: Moving forwards ....................................................................................... 53 III.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 53 III.2 Priorities for action .......................................................................................................... 54 III.2.1 Priority 1 – Right places ........................................................................................... 54 III.2.3 Priority 2 – Improving outcomes and practice........................................................... 55 III.2.3 Priority 3 – Focus on inclusion ................................................................................. 56 III.2.4 Priority 4 – Early identification, positive engagement and improved transitions ........ 57 III.2.5 Priority 5 – Supporting schools and staff .................................................................. 57 III.2.6 Priority 6 – Managing financial pressures ................................................................. 58 III.3 Overseeing and monitoring progress against the SEN supporting schools strategy ........ 59 Section IV Consultation ............................................................................................................. 60 Glossary........................................................................................................................................ 62 Appendix A – Supplementary tables and statistics ...................................................................... 63 Appendix B – Supplementary information ................................................................................... 69 Wiltshire SEN Strategy Supporting Schools 2015/18 P a g e 2 Section I – Introduction I.1 Executive summary The strategy sets out the vision and key priorities for special educational needs (SEN) provision in Wiltshire’s schools. It sets out, for the first time, the full range of provision available to support SEN in Wiltshire’s schools, base-line data about the progress and achievements of pupils with SEN, and a clear strategic direction for the future. 1.1.1 Key challenges and drivers An increased focus on disadvantaged learners. 37% of pupils in receipt of Free School Meals also have an identified SEN. The Children and Families Act (2014), and the associated Code of Practice (2015) have resulted in significant changes to process and practice. The forthcoming Local area inspection arrangements for SEN. The significant cost pressures, in Wiltshire, on the High Needs Element of the Dedicated Schools Grant. Whilst numbers of pupils with an identified SEN are stable, there is evidence of growing demand for specialist SEN places which could be exacerbated by planned housing developments and the movement of troops into the County. Wiltshire Children and Young People’s Trust has high ambitions for all the children and young people in the County, and they are now focussed on ensuring the very best outcomes for those with SEN. In particular, that they have every opportunity to attend good or outstanding local schools, to thrive whilst they are at school, and to do well as adults because of these opportunities. 1.1.2 Vision The right educational provision, in the right places, for the right pupils, at the right time, and that the right support is offered to enable schools to achieve the best possible outcomes for pupils with special educational needs. 1.1.3 Six Priorities i. Right places – To have sufficient places in the right locations in special schools, resource bases, ELP, mainstream schools and independent/out of county provision. ii. Improving knowledge about outcomes and practice – To have in place a series of data collection, monitoring and evaluation processes reporting to a defined hierarchy of meetings and committees iii. Focus on inclusion – To Increase the number of children and young people with SEN who are well placed in inclusive settings Wiltshire SEN Strategy Supporting Schools 2015/18 P a g e 3 iv. Early identification, positive engagement and improved transitions – Young People, Children and their families experience timely help and support and positive transitions with high quality information v. Support to schools and staff – Support to schools is clear and comprehensive enabling Schools to confidently deliver Inclusive education vi. Managing financial pressures – Financial pressures are met with creative, timely and enabling solutions which lead to effective provision that can be met within budget capacity. Wiltshire SEN Strategy Supporting Schools 2015/18 P a g e 4 I.2 Purpose and scope This strategy sets out the vision and key priorities for special educational needs (SEN) provision in Wiltshire, in Academy and local authority maintained schools Primary and secondary schools Mainstream and special schools. Its focus is on schools and pupils at schools; it does not cover early years provision, nor Post school provision both of which will require a specific and detailed focus. The strategy will act as a key resource for; Schools by presenting, for the first time, the full range of provision available to support SEN in Wiltshire’s schools, base-line data about the progress and achievements of pupils with SEN, and a clear strategic direction for the future. Local authority service providers in the delivery of support services to schools and to children and young people to support their education. Children, young people and their families to enable them to better understand the range of provision available for special educational needs in Wiltshire’s schools. Commissioners in facilitating, monitoring and reporting on the provision of services that make a real and positive difference to the lives of children and young people. This strategy is required now because the last SEN Strategy in Wiltshire was published for the period 2011/12 and we face a number of new challenges. Inter alia; 1.2.1 National drivers An increased focus on Disadvantaged Learners. There has, since at least 20131, been an increase in the emphasis, importance and pressure on schools to take action to effectively raise the attainment and achievement of, and opportunities for, those pupils eligible for free school meals (FSM) and other groups of disadvantaged pupils. There is a considerable overlap between these vulnerable groups and those with SEN – 37% of pupils in receipt of FSM also have an identified SEN – and to tackle the disadvantaged learner gap we must focus on pupils both with and without SEN. The Children and Families Act (2014), and the associated Code Practice (2015) has resulted in significant changes to the approach in providing services for children and young people with SEN, in particular; o The move from statements and the use of School Action/ School Action Plus to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP), known in Wiltshire as My Plans, and SEN Support. 1 See 2013 and 2014 Ofsted Handbooks, and Michael Wilshaw’s Unseen Children Lecture (June 2013), for example. Wiltshire SEN Strategy Supporting Schools 2015/18 P a g e 5 o The introduction of a statutory Local Offer, requiring all local authorities and schools (through the SEN Information report) to publish relevant information about available support and services. o A clear directive for agencies and services to be led by the views of children, young people and their families in the assessment, delivery and monitoring of services that are required to support SEN and disability. o A strong focus on supportive services from birth to 25, instead of 18, with a clear focus of improving outcomes in, and transitions to, adulthood. o A joined up approach to services across social care, education, health, housing, and safeguarding. o The potential for the provision of personal budgets to enable young people and families to purchase some services directly. The Revised