Minutes of the SEN Reorganisation Steering Group

12 March  2004, 10.30 am

Committee Room 3, City Hall

 

Present:	Mark Carriline	 (Chair)	Assistant Chief Executive
		Phil Green 			Education Director
		Clive Halliwell			Education Bradford			
		Brian Dobson			Schools Reorganisation Team
		Jean Racktoo			Airedale NHS Trust
		Margaret Robinson		Bradford City PCT/Speech Therapy
		Matt Burghardt			HR
				
Apologies:	Rob Malley			Schools Reorganisation Team
		Jackie Walters			Office of Education, Community and Social Care
		Susan Milnes			HR
		Susan Gill			Bolling Special School
		Gary Bowden			Netherlands Avenue Special School
		Sue Ilett			Airedale NHS Trust
		Cath Dew			Bradford Social Services
		Liz Singleton			Education Client Team	
		Hazel Smith			Education Bradford
		Ronnie Hartley			EYCS						
		Liz Andelin			Bradford City PCT

                       

1

Update from those present

BSF Pathfinder (PG) The next meeting with the DfES is in London on 29 March where a firm date for information on funding for the secondary special schools may be made known.  MC added that this is critical as SOC will not give approval until funding is assured. 

 

MC - On Tuesday 9 March Council Executive agreed Guard House Primary as the co-location site for Keighley and also Heaton Primary as the co-location site in West Bradford.  This concludes the formal decision making for the Council.

 

CH commented that the special schools still expected the publication of the statutory notices on 23 April and that if this was not the case parties should be informed as soon as possible.  MC has alerted the MPs to the problem and if funding is still not known by 2 April they will raise the issue.

 

SEN Re-organisation (CH) Reports going to EPP on 25 March regarding the DSP and LSS review and consultation.  Deaf provision will be considered at a later date.

 

Vision into Practice (CH)  DfES representative visiting on Monday 15 March.  Visits to newly built schools have gone well and have highlighted the deficiencies in current Bradford special schools buildings.

 

EYCC Partnership paper states a maximum of 25 places for 2 – 5 year olds.  Further work required on this.  PG commented that this will go to Executive on 27 April, having gone to EPP 25 March. LS will liaise with EYCC.

 

Training (CH) Nothing to update.

 

Health (JR)  Matrix of current provision practically completed.  Need to consider this against future provision to reveal any gaps.  It was generally agreed that this, and indeed, anything involving health should be Commissioner led.  CH commented that more funding was desperately needed for speech and language across the District.

 

HR (MB)  The HR subgroup commented that the newsletter was well received.  They further stated that they already knew most of its contents revealing good channels of communication.  It was agreed, with OJC support, to distribute to staff after Easter a request for anonymous 1st and 2nd choice of schools post SEN reorganisation.  This should aid the assimilation process.

 

OJC has asked if there are ‘any packages on the table’.  It was agreed that at this stage there were too many unknown factors, ie funding and the confirmed date of the opening of new schools, to progress this.

 

Buildings Transition (BD)  Continuing to work with Temple Bank.  HR issues progressing well.  Met with OJC 11 March.  Grove House accommodation organised with building work beginning in June. MC will liaise with BD before his visit to Temple Bank on 23 April.

 

2

Date and time of next meeting

Friday, 26 March, 10.30 am, City Hall.

 

Further Meetings –    23 April, 10.30 am at Youth Offending Team, Bank                                     House, Bank Street

 

                                    21 May, 10.30 am, Committee Rm 1, City Hall

 

                                    18 June, 10.30 am, Committee Rm 1, City Hall

 

                                    16 July, 10.30 am, Committee Rm 1, City Hall

 

 

 

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