Solihull Pathfinder Programme

Solihull Pathfinder Programme Context Leadership Design Process Progress and Challenges Feedback

Solihull About Solihull 52,210 children & young people 0-19 live in Solihull If there were just 100 …… 1175 Statements of SEN

Strategic Leadership Ensuring that all children and young people have positive learning experiences, achieve success and develop the skills which will serve them well as adults Enabling all children and young people to have a healthy start in life Protecting the most vulnerable children and young people, and securing early help for those that need it

Distribution by type of need

Key points Green Paper multiple layers of paperwork and bureaucracy add delays to getting support, therapy and vital equipment confusing and adversarial assessment process, parents having to battle to get the support their child needs SEN statements not joining up education, health and care support Outcome: children falling between the gaps or having to undergo multiple assessments

Background: Green Paper better educational outcomes and life chances for children and young people with SEND- from the early years through to the transition into adult life and employment; greater choice and control for parents in the schools their children attend and the support and services they receive, whether in a mainstream or special school setting;

Our Promise The development of a single assessment and plan, will be outcome focused, with the aims of: Engaging with families earlier, ensuring their understanding of the assessment process and empowering them to plan in partnership to meet need and entitlement Remove unnecessary bureaucracy and conflict Extend access to mediation services for social care and health services

Our Promise Work with our regional partners To deliver what is promised and evaluate effectiveness Ensure the efficient and effective use of resources Embed a person centred planning approach. Incorporate personalised budgets into the single plan

Summary public services centred on the needs of the family and child in the round, joining up support from education, social care and health, particularly for those with the most severe and complex needs and at key transitions; and streamlining assessment systems so that parents don't feel they have to struggle with the system to get the support they need.

The Challenge of the Single Plan! Design brief: Outcome focused – birth to 25 (EET/maximising independent living skills) Family focused, contextual, child centred - personalised Done with and for, not to Objective, personalised and integrated – education, health and social care

The Challenge of the Single Plan! Design brief: Relationship rich, paper light Minimise bureaucracy and timescales - LEAN Minimise conflict and reduce drivers for adversarial responses Ensure no duplication or wasted effort Integrated assessment – shared information and record keeping Will provide at least the same statutory protection to parents as SEN statements

Solihull Pathfinder: phase one Operational delivery team Initial focus all age, SLD - Merstone and Reynalds Cross Special Schools First phase families recruited 24 pathfinder and 24 comparator – min. 24 single plans Action learning SQW, Ipsos MORI and OPM- dictated priorities and timescales Extended cohort to include Hearing Impaired

Breaking the culture Structured conversation Assessment for purpose Choice from the beginning Secure encrypted data transfer.gcsx.gov.uk Co-production

Example Medicals! Parents lead: Is your child on any medical treatment? Does your child’s health pose any risk to them or to others in the school environment? Is there any family history you’d like to share? The above information will be shared with a Paediatrician as part of the process of assessment, unless you tell us not to. Based on this, the Paediatrician may request an appointment to see your child, may contact you directly or might contact your child’s Consultant or GP for relevant information. They will ask your permission before doing this. You may request an appointment for your child

Solihull SEND Pathfinder and mediation… Solihull Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Pathfinder Mediation is an impartial, independent and free service for parents / carers and their children and young adults up to the age of 25. Sometimes parents/carers do not agree with the provisions made by educational, social care or health services to meet their child’s special educational needs (SEN). Sometimes it is the young person or young adult with SEN who does not agree. In these situations we help people resolve their differences quickly, peacefully and confidentially.

Where we are today? Parallel systems but merging practice - medicals – applied to current system too Self-referring families – complex needs focus Extending age range to post 19 – in partnership with two specialist colleges Hereward and QAC. Seriously considering offering single plan as an option for all new referrals from now!

Much work to do!: Sustainable ICT solutions - Secure encrypted data transfer.gcsx.gov.uk Timescales/workflow – pathway = 14/16 weeks Assessment for purpose – professionally threatening Mediation/Parent Partnership  Personal budgets  Local Offer  Roll out

LOCAL OFFER In 2002, the LA in partnership with schools developed our Inclusion Policy The policy set out the: –Principles of an inclusive education which you endorsed and –Considered how principles would be put into practice through the curriculum. –How we would ‘break down the barriers’

Task: The Local Offer? What provision should a school or college be expected to provide from within their notional ‘SEN’ budget/ALS? What do parents want to see in the Local Offer? What are the characteristics of a ‘high needs’ pupil/student that defines them as requiring ‘external’ provision? Three wishes – what would you like to see change?

Much work to do!  Begun to define our ‘Local Offer’ in partnership with schools  Begun to define and understand what ‘a high needs pupil/student’ – looks like?  Influencing the decision making process - advise on Pathfinder ‘next steps’  Join up the policy explosion – school funding reforms