SEN Re-organisation

Present  :-  Dr N Symons, Ronnie Hartley,  Clive Halliwell,  Margaret Robinson, Jean Racktoo, Liz Andelin

Apologies :-  Dr S Ilett, Rob Malley

1.       Notes of the previous meeting were agreed as correct.

2.       Matters arising

Liz has still to write to Lesley Hewson to invite her to either join or send representation to the Sub-group.

3.       Training update

Clive, Jean and Margaret have been meeting to take this matter forward.  The Training Education Support Plan will be completed by end January and providers from health will be identified within this.

4.       Mapping Services

Nicky tabled a list of services that are provided by her staff.  This was in an extremely useful format and it is hoped that other services may be able to replicate it.

Clive requested the same kind of mapping exercise for therapy services.

Action :- Liz to request this from Judith Saunders in BHNHST and Jean from Airedale NHST.

Ronnie requested that if possible the information could be broken down into pre and post five provision.  Nicky is currently trying to do this by postcode.

DSP provision is currently found in the following schools :-

Denholme/Bradford College

Girlington  -  hearing

Green Lane  -  speech and language

Beckfoot  -  Airedale services

Nabwood  -  hearing

Some changes to DSP provision are going to the EPP at end January.  These will be outlined in detail following this.

Margaret and Jean agreed to take responsibility for liaising with the acute diatetics services in both ends of the patch.

5.       Re-provision process

Because of the delay to the naming of schools due to the consultation around Guardhouse (replacing Riddlesden St Mary’s) the closure and opening notices are unlikely to be available until after Easter.

Consultation on deaf provision across the district will take place at all levels in the Spring term.

6.       Commissioning

Margaret, Jean and Glen Allgood are setting up a commissioning model for SALTS which can be used for other services.  This will initially enable SALT provision to be addressed across the district.  It will, however, become a commissioning issue for the future LDP in 2006 onwards.

7.       Accommodation issues

Sue Ilett had provided a specification for on orthoptist room for Clive.  LA staff, head teachers, parents and children are now visiting other sites to test the Bradford specification for design against newly built schools.  Once a short list of best sites has been identified, larger group visits will be arranged.

The tender document for the architect will be completed by Easter, and will include comments from all interested parties, including health.

8.       Any other business

Nicky raised the issue of an annual vision check for all children in special schools, which is apparently happening in other areas.

Action :-  Liz to raise this at the Core Commissioning Group

It was agreed that any changes of this nature should include audiology too.  There was a discussion about the need for formal agreement on which organisation is responsible for the care of audiology testing equipment.  Currently individual departments in Airedale and Bradford appear to be undertaking this, but it requires clarification.

9.       Date and time of next meeting  -  9.30 – 10.30am on 23^rd January, Committee Room 3, City Hall.