SCHOOLS FORUM - HIGH NEEDS FINANCE AND SEND UPDATES OCTOBER 2017

1. High Needs Block Finance Update

Current DSG Forecast

The 2017/18 High Need Budget is £23.058m. Current forecasting shows an outturn of £23.405m which is an overspend of £0.347m.

In comparison, the 2016/17 High Needs final overspend was £1.075m.

When comparing the 2016/17 outturn and the 2017/18 forecast, the main reason for the change in the level of overspend is the £0.800m reduction in the SEND Services budgets in 2017/18 rather than a reduction in top-up funding. There is a £0.141m increases overall in Top Up Funding compared to 2016/17 outturn.

It is still early to see the impact of many of the changes made around the High Needs block. For example, changes the new rota and format at SMAP meetings started at the beginning of the school year.

A breakdown of the comparison of 2016/17 and 2017/18 High Needs Block accompanies this report.

Within the 2017/18 forecast some budget lines have large (adverse and favourable) variances, reasons for variances are set out in the high needs breakdowns sheets, which also accompany the report.

The following notes should be made about the high needs forecast:

. The 2017/18 budget was set before the 2016/17 outturn was finalised, so the cohort at the end of 2016/17 financial year will not be directly reflected in the budget set.

. The current 2017/18 forecast includes expected movements for September starters and continuers. Due to the timing of forum papers the actual September position is not yet reflected. Finance are working on a new system of estimation for September movements to improve forecasting for next year. When the September updates are known and reflected in the forecast this will be reported to the next High Needs Budget Monitoring Meeting and the December Schools Forum meeting.

. Further work is ongoing surrounding the High Needs block and may impact on the forecast in future months. Details of further work are included below.

. The outcomes of the plus package review are not yet reflected in the forecast figures.

In May 2017 Schools Forum appointed a Finance Officer to support the High Needs DSG budget.

In addition to attending SMAP and Placements Panels other work is being carried out with the aim of improving the finance control, knowledge and governance around the high needs budget.

Version and date OFFICIAL or OFFICIAL: SENSITIVE PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL IMPROVING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS . Work has begun to activate the functionality available within our existing management information system (Capita ONE) to record high needs funding decisions. Using a database will result in more reliable, immediate information and improved options for modelling and forecasting, all of which will improve decision making and forecasting around the high needs block.

IMPROVING OUR DATA . The move to the ONE system involves a process of data movement and cleansing from old records to ensure consistency with pupil records. This process will further improve the accuracy of information held by finance to enable better modelling and forecasting.

. Methods of capturing and presenting information have been set up for the new High Needs Budget Monitoring meetings. This includes; detailed data on panel decisions, current cohort statistics and forecasting future spend. (Terms of Reference attached).

. A monthly monitoring meeting has been set up with our AP provider with work underway on creating a joint forecasting model and cleansing records to ensure that both PCC and ACE hold consistent information for current cohorts and can forecast effectively for the future.

. A review of independent sector placements is ongoing to improve the breadth of financial information held about this area. This will inform a cost and volume exercise for both independent sector placements and all post 16 provision.

. A review with the Post-16 team to establish the trajectory of the profile and number of Post-16 pupils in current and future years.

IMPROVED BENCHMARKING . Plymouth has participated in a High Needs budget benchmarking exercise lead by Brighton & Hove, including Brighton, Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Plymouth, and Southampton. Results will be fed back to all participating areas when the exercise is complete.

. Plymouth has also responded to the ACDS SEND High Needs Survey and we are awaiting the responses from other areas.

FOLLOW UP ACTIONS - AREAS FOR PRIORITY SCRUTINY The current forecasting highlights the following areas which will be prioritised for analysis and in- depth scrutiny: . Band 8+ packages . Post 16

2. SEND UPDATE

a. SMAP arrangements The new SMAP arrangements are progressing positively. Schools feedback regarding the timetabling has been addressed and it is reported that this has supported robust case discussion. The new Headteacher rota is in place and working well. Further work continues regarding SEND Post 16 decision making.

PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL b. Specialist Equipment A query has arisen regarding the Schools Forum decision on the allocation of funding for specialist equipment in schools. The proposal was to change the arrangement from full funding for approved specialist equipment over £1000, to only funding the additional cost beyond £1000. On reviewing the minutes of the meeting on 19th April 2016, the decision is not explicit. Therefore, the request is for this point to be clarified at Schools Forum. c. BMG/SEND work plan It is recommended that BMG/SEND Group consider the SMAP Band 4/5 descriptors (Support Centres) in the Autumn Term in order to bring these in line with the other descriptors already agreed. d. School SEN Audit Timetable We have reviewed the timetable for Schools Forum to receive reports on the SEN Audit work. The report for 2016/17 will be presented to the December 2017 Meeting. However, an annual report will be scheduled for the October Schools Forum Meetings as part of the regular SEND Update.

Helen Slater Principle Technical Accountant

Jo Siney Head of SEND

28th September 2017