Education Bradford
SEN Strategy Group
Friday 14 March 2008
Attendees:
Anne Munro, Simon Ramsden, Bill Turner, Cheryl Paul, Paul Nicklin, Theresa Berry,
Liz Flavell, Glenn Allgood, Elaine Watmough and Allia Zahuruddin (minutes)
Apologies:
Trish McCarthy, Maggie Nixon, Mike Vigurs, Katie Taylor, Sheila Widdup, Denise
Faulconbridge
1
Minutes of last meeting and matters arising
Overview of BSS – an update on BSS will be an agenda item during the summer term.
LSS update – Looking to use Standards fund to increase capacity.
Locality working – will have an update at the next meeting.
2
Inclusion Development Programme - Anne Munro
PowerPoint presentation given.
National Strategies has launched the Inclusion Development Programme (IDP) which over four
years will develop and deliver a programme of Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
designed to strengthen the confidence and expertise of mainstream staff in Early Years settings
and in primary and secondary schools.
Round 1 is now a March start not January as originally planned by the DCSF.
ICan and Dyslexia Action are partners.
Anne asked the SEN Strategy Group to consider:

The next steps for dissemination of materials

Consider how the LA will work with key partners to support schools with implementation of
IDP

How we will monitor the use and impact of the materials.
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How will you support and challenge implementation in your school?
How will you ensure schools utilise / prioritise the materials strategically?
How will you monitor / evaluate the use and outcomes of the IDP?
How can EB teams support you?
Need to embed this in school improvement. Distribution to schools will be from EB. This will sit
inside EB’s inclusion development programme.
Handouts given on courses which, if agreed by SEN Strategy Group, could be supported through
Standards Fund to share costs. Cost would be approx £500 per person to school + cover. Both
courses:

MA in Special Educational Needs and

Postgraduate Certificate in the Provision for Children with Development Disorders
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Education Bradford
could be offered. Anne to send letter to schools requesting expressions of interest.
Actions:
 Anne Munro to send letter to schools offering the two courses.
 Anne Munro to ensure IDP materials are ordered and distributed to schools.
3
SEN Funding - Simon Ramsden
PowerPoint presentation given.
SEN Strategy Group recommendations following the funding review were:
 SEN Formula: it concluded that the current formula is still valid and robust and recommends
that this formula continues to be used in 2008 – 11.
 The shortfall in funding of “High Value” Statements: Schools Forum will need to consider the
impact on SEN provision of reducing this shortfall in making its recommendations on the
allocation of the 2008 – 11 DSG in January and early February 2008.
 The SEN Safety Net: The existing SEN Safety Net is replaced by a SEN Formula “Funding
Floor”.
 In Year Adjustments: The Working Group proposes that the Funding Floor is re-calculated in
year to ensure the minimum level of funding, calculated at the start of each year, is protected
for all schools, no matter what happens to a school’s Statemented population during the course
of the year.
 Overall SEN Funding: The SEN Strategy Group recommended that the schools Forum
“narrows the gap” in SEN funding estimated at £2.3m over the next three years.
 Designated Specialist Provision: That the existing DSP funding model continues to operate,
adjusted for inflation, in 2008 -11. That Service Level Agreements will be set for each DSP for
the forthcoming 3 year funding period.
The SEN Formula – Schools Forum recommendations for the next 3 year funding cycle
Measure (% of budget)
Pupil Numbers
Prior Attainment KS1 (for Primary) and KS2 (for
Secondary)
Index of Multiple Deprivation (by pupil postcode)
Free School Meals (take up)
Primary and
Nursery
30%
20%
Secondary
25%
25%
15%
15%
30%
40%
Discussion took place regarding use of free school meals take up rather than eligibility.
Schools Forum Recommendations for the next 3 years funding cycle:
That the current formula is still valid and robust and recommends that this formula continues to be
used in 2008 – 11.
Schools forum is also recommending that:

The value of statements increases by 26% (above inflation) over the next 3 year funding
period.

Increase in budget for High Value Statements from £1.5m (2007/08) to £2m (2010/11).

Funding Floor – SEN Safety Net be replaced by a SEN Formula Funding Floor form April
2008. Funding Floor to be set at a minimum level for all schools. Funding Floor to be
resourced by new money.
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Education Bradford

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That the funding Floor is re-calculated in-year to ensure minimum level of funding is
protected for all schools (re-calculations to be done December and March) Adjustments to be
done for increases only.
Over the next 3 year funding cycle the total SEN formula funding will increase from £12.3m
to £16.9m. Representing an increase of £4.6m (37%).
The threshold will increase over the 3 year funding period by 10% above inflation:
2007/08 - £4,289; 2008/09 - £4,601; 2009/10 - £4,848; 2010/11 - £5,155.
Existing DSP funding model continues to operate, adjusted for inflation.
Agreement to establish 2 new DSPs over the next three year funding cycle.
Agreement to resource the new SEBD Special School from September 2009 for 80 places.
Next Steps

Recommendations now go to the Executive Committee in March.

Schools to receive final budgets for 2008/09 in March – including SEN funding statement.

Schools receive predicted budgets for 2009/10 and 2010/11 in April 2008.

SEN Team will write to Headteachers, Chair of Governors, Finance Governor and SENCO
detailing SEN funding.
Generally this is very good news for SEN funding. Thanks were expressed to Simon, Andrew and
the group for their hard work. Simon has received a letter of compliment from the Wharfe Valley
Heads.
Actions:
 Simon and Andrew convening meeting for Working Group on 4 July will discuss group’s
membership and remit.
4
SENCO Essential Duties - Glenn Allgood
Glenn re-drafted paper following last meeting when rationale was questioned etc.

Government recommendation is for 1 fte SENCO for schools with 500+ pupils.

SENCO role should be funded from core funding.

Every school has to have a SENCO.
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Schools will use time / give support differently.

Should SENCO time link to SEN need in schools? Don’t want to be too prescriptive. Some
SENCOs say they don’t get enough time – this guidance was about making
recommendations to headteachers. Should we have a formula or do a piece of work to
recommend amount of time – scenario?

Headteachers need to look at their schools’ population and reflect this in amount of time
given to SENCO to undertake relevant duties.

Should the guidance link to Raise on line? Make it a more descriptive model!
Level of
Need
Anne used flip chart to show possible descriptor model
50 - 150
150 – 300
Size of School (Primary)
300 -
Government
Recommendation
Descriptors
Actions:
 Glenn to work with EP and LSS colleagues on a descriptor model and bring to this group.
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Education Bradford
5
SEN Action Plan - Anne Munro
Purpose of the action plan is to prioritise work of the group and to monitor progress against the
Strategy. Group members to let Anne have additions / amendments.
Remit of this group is continuous cycle of review of services. Group can decide what the cycle
should look like. How does locality working fit / impact?
Forward plan for meetings to be developed from the Action Plan.
Actions:
 Elaine to draw up forward plan from the action plan.
 Anne to update action plan following any feedback from group members.
6
Strategy for Disabled Children – Anne MacKay
Three papers handed out at the meeting:

Vision for Disabled Children and Young People in the Bradford District

Briefing Note – Aiming High for Disabled Children – Better Support for Families

Briefing Note – Bradford’s Pathfinder Status within Aiming High for Disabled Children: Better
Support for Families.
Anne has attended 2 national meetings recently. Bradford is a pathfinder authority for short break
services. Schools are felt to be a key delivery point for information. Implementation plan for the
district is being developed.
Need strong commissioning process for sharing money (£5.2m over 3 years (quite a lot is for
revenue)). Challenges for Bradford are:

Severe physical difficulties

Autistic Spectrum Disorders

14+
Money is about additionality to enable children to take part.
Actions:
 Elaine to contact Anne MacKay re attendance at 4 July meeting to give update / allow for
further conversations.
7
Any Other Business
Items for next agenda:

SKIP Group feedback – Bill Turner

Ofsted – Malcolm (Bill to ask Malcolm)
Pre 5 Rep is Ronnie Hartley – Elaine to contact
IDP – to come back to 4 July meeting.
8
Dates and Times of Next Meetings
Friday 16 May, 10.00 – 13.00, Meeting Room 6, Future House.
Friday 4 July, 10.00 – 13.00, Meeting Room 9, Future House.
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