Minutes of SEN Reorganisation

 Steering Group

23rd April 2004

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

1

Minutes of last meeting and matters arising Item 4 Steering Group

Sub-group Updates – HR – the redeployment of non classroom staff will be referred to the Council’s redeployment process.  For clarity, this relates to Temple Bank School.

There were no matters arising.

 

2

BSF Pathfinder Update (PG) 

DfES have not yet confirmed funding for Phase 2 (which includes the Secondary Special Schools). As a consequence, the publication of the Statutory Notices will have to be delayed until after the summer holidays in September.  The SOC decision will, therefore, not be before the end of Nov/December.  As a result, implementation will be delayed until September 2007.  Despite the setback, it is intended to progress things as quickly as possible.  Council leadership still very committed to the process.  Communication strategy at this stage critical. LS to email to special schools for materials for planned roadshow. 

The delay creates issues for training, buildings, staffing, morale, funding etc.  These to be addressed by CH and special school headteachers.  Possibility of an Interim Strategy Group to take things forward. 

Further DfES meeting next week (29 April), where the importance of a decision will, again, be stressed.  Suggested by the group to take along photos of present special school building conditions and perhaps even a children’s video diary. 

 

3

SEN Review and Consultation Update (PG for CH) 

Concerning DSP – Holy Family Catholic School and the Diocese have agreed to host secondary provision for the North of the District, commencing September 2004. Negotiations still taking place with another school for further speech and language provision. 

LS – CH and LS met with Eileen Vesser (HMI SEN) re SEN strategy.  Very supportive and willing to lobby the DfES on Bradford’s behalf. 

LS – Thorn Park is now into its 2nd phase of consultation with parents on transition issues.  Meeting with parents concerning how they see the future of deaf provision.

 

4

Governance in the New Special Schools (John Hesketh) 

JH tabled and discussed the paper – “Temporary Governing Bodies for the New Special Schools”.  He explained that it is the responsibility of the LEA to set up these governing bodies and the main purpose of this item was to agree the composition and size of these GBs. 

Issues raised by the group and answered by JH: 

Conflict of interest for existing HTs – headteachers would attend GB meetings until a designated HT is appointed.
Nomination for staff governors from existing schools would be by teacher preference.  Teacher governors to be appointed by GB.
Retiring staff as governors. Retire as governor at the same time as retiring from teaching.
Parent governors – which school will they serve – nearest to home or the school to which their child has moved?  By parental preference.
Teaching and non-teaching governors – concern expressed about the expectation of assimilation of staff governors after reorganisation. Details of expectations and responsibilities to be covered at first meeting of temporary GB.

It was agreed that the most favourable number of temporary governors would be 12, made up of: 

4 parents
3 staff
2 LEA
3 Community

JH stated that schools will be contacted in September inviting nominations for the Temporary Governing Body. 

Intention to try to co-opt Health professionals etc as associate members. LA agreed to try to boost the number of potential community governors.  She will contact sub-groups.

 

5

SOC Configuration 

This item deferred to a later meeting. 

6

Steering Group Subgroup Updates 

Vision into Practice and Training (LS for CH) - No meetings since the last Steering Group meeting – both next week.  The delay in implementation will have implications for training.  In receipt of £100k – this now committed to special schools training.  SG commented that the pilot for the training of support staff with Bradford College has so far been very successful with good quality training. 

Buildings Transition (MC for BD) - Darren Hindle (Schools Reorganisation), has visited Temple Bank to organise the move of furniture and equipment and start the close down procedure. 

HR (SM) – Concerning Temple Bank:
Partnership arrangements finalised at the project group meeting and for discussion at OJC
Education Bradford have met with Temple Bank staff concerning redeployment

Consultation document drafted for staff and piloting at Chapel Grange – responses going to OJC next week and a system being established to analyse responses. Developing job profile for HR support for the project. 

Communications (JW/LS) – Visit to Kingsdale school now finalised for 4 May.  Visit to Bexley Heath is charged at £175 per person – may possibly buy a couple of places on a set tour. 

Each school to receive a briefing pack concerning how to handle questions from the media.  Format/questions to be considered by Steering Group.

The website continues to be updated.  Special school headteachers to encourage staff to log on for up-to-date information and also to inform parents about it. 

The second edition of the Special Schools Update/SEN Bulletin will be distributed next week.  Steering Group members will receive a copy. 

LS tabled “Overview of SEN Reorganisation Steering Sub-groups and other Advisory Groups”.  There has been a good response from parents for representation on sub-groups.  Sub-group leaders asked to communicate with their parental reps, if they have not already done so.  Also requested that they check the membership of the sub-group and return any changes to Liz Wilson. 

LS informed the group that there will be a Roadshow over the summer term consisting of an exhibition in the special and co-located schools showing:
vision of the future;
DfES material;
good practice;
suggested changes;
inclusion projects - Jill Burghardt (Branshaw) at present visiting schools to investigate projects;
parent/governor section.

SG suggested a funding section, including funding of transport. 

Early Years (RH) – RH tabled “Special Schools Review – Early Years Proposals”.  This has gone to EPP.  RH requested that the group consider the recommendations.  Comments: 

9.2 - it was agreed that there are more options than the two indicated and the wording “or combination of these” should be added.
There should be provision for children with disabilities from age 2 onwards in the special or mainstream sector.
9.4 - RH stated that consideration is given to the varying needs of areas and that provision may be developed differently, while maintaining the same standards throughout the District.  SI reiterated the situation of the possible gap in services for the Wharfe valley area since it will not qualify for a Children’s Centre.

Health (LA) – At present not meeting – continuing to map services.  Full sub-group title should read social care rather than social services.  One parent rep contacted and the other to be contacted before the sub-group next meets. 

LA tabled “Fixed Term Funding Projects – 6 monthly progress reports” for information and to incorporate into the present thinking process.  JR – there is no health support in place for the DSP unit opening in September.  CH to liaise with LA and JR.

7

AOB

There was no other business. 

 

 Date and time of next meeting 21 May meeting cancelled.  Next meeting 18 June, 10.30 at Future House.