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Minutes of the Last Meeting and Matters Arising

Item 4 – should read Nafees Nazir.

AOB – SG emphasised that the main issue concerning special schools HTs and staff involvement in reorganisation matters was around capacity of schools to free up staff rather than just funding. This impacts considerably on small schools. It was agreed that PG, MB, SG and GB would meet to explore possible solutions.

AOB – CH commented that no one had come back to him concerning the membership of the Transition Group (Pupils). SG to check with a colleague.

BSF Pathfinder Update (JW)

Technical information promised by the DfES has not yet arrived.

DfES meetings arranged for 13/14 January in London.

SEN Review and Consultation Updat e (CH)

At Executive, on 2 December, it was agreed to progress the closure of 10 special schools and the opening of 6 new schools. There is still the need to consult on another primary school site in Keighley after the withdrawal of Riddlesden St Mary’s. Formal consultation will begin in January on the option of the Guard House site and will involve the Keighley, Ilkley and Bingley areas. Paper to be taken to Executive in early March.

Publication of statutory notices should take place after Easter. Temporary Governing Bodies can then be established, after which HT and DHT appointments can be made. It is expected that all staff will know where they will be placed by summer 2005.

The rationale for the choice of Guard House, as the proposed site in Keighley, was questioned. LS stated:

· that Guard House was originally on the short list and that Riddlesden St Mary’s was finally proposed because of its proximity to the centre of Keighley;

· the staff at Guard House were very enthusiastic and positive about the proposal;

· it was well placed in relation to the other primary schools in the area who also had close links with the special schools;

· there is a MUGA (multi use games area) and Sure Start on the site.

JR/SI stated that there may be resistance to Guard House from some parents at the existing special schools.

The Green Paper – Every Child Matters

MC briefed the group:

	This is now a White Paper.
	The Government’s proposal is to integrate front line services within the Children’s Trust which will pull together all services relating to children.
	The existing situation in Bradford is very complex with the education private partner, PCTs, Acute Trusts, The Care Trust, Connexions, LSC etc.
	Unlikely to developed one area of responsibility in Bradford due to the complexities. Possibility instead of developing existing partnerships.
	A number of strategic discussions already taken place within Council/Health very much in line with the spirit of the Green Paper.
	Expected to proceed over the next few years to further develop “joined up” thinking.
	MC taking a report to EPP 18 December.

Comments:

LA – The literature recommends the promotion of full service and extended schools. CH/PG commented that these together with co-located schools were already being developed in Bradford. LA – other evidence of integration – Health inspecting bodies and OFSTED considering standardised inspections under OFSTED. JR referred to the developments in IT around IRS (Identification Referral Support) as another step in the right direction.

MC suggested inviting Ian Brayford (Social Services) to a Steering Group meeting in the New Year to give an update on developments in IRS.

PG commented that he has seen something similar to the ideas being proposed in the Green Paper working successfully in Denmark.

Subgroup Updates

Buildings: nothing to update. JR commented about the need for making gyms available for children with disabilities.

Vision into Practice (CH): Have met since the last meeting. Visits to schools beginning in January. Nearing the point when specifications can be tested in schools. Meeting with the DfES 10 December.

This subgroup may be at a point to cease around Easter, after which Buildings subgroup will take over.

Buildings Transition (BD): Visited Lister Lane on 2 December. More visits arranged for the New Year. Re the school closure booklet – meeting with ICT and awaiting response from Finance. At the moment concentrating on Temple Bank closure.

HR (MB): a) HR subgroup – met on 26 November. Issues raised from special schools staff:

	request to formalise an approach to communications;
	difficulty in accessing minutes/notes from meetings, particularly Early Years;
	confusion around the decision making process – request for a flow chart to help clarify processes. LS addressing this.

b) Met with OJC on 27 November. Request from Unions to be involved in the Buildings subgroup – RM aware.

Draft structure – looking at a range of models/costings. SG asked if these models could be looked at during the Special Schools HT meeting that afternoon. CH – they would have to be considered at a future meeting.

Training (CH): Met once since the last Steering Group meeting. Identifying of training providers nearing completion. Awaiting information from Health. MC - requirements for training reported to FSG (Finance Strategy Group).

Communications (JW/LS): Website delayed until May due to restructuring of Council Website.

SG confirmed that Steering Group minutes were published on the Special Schools’ Website. PG reminded the group about confidential items – these should be placed on a separate back page.

LS reported:

	meetings being organised with HTs and some GBs of proposed co-located sites;
	meeting arranged with Steve Pearson (Council Communications Officer) to finalise the Bulletin. Agreed to distribute in January;
	production of revised overall timeline – subgroup leaders requested to forward to LS, as soon as possible, any updates in their timelines.

Early Years (MMc): Met last week – RH will report to the group at the next meeting.

Health: Next meeting on 19 December. Working on service mapping.

Date and time of next meeting

Friday, 9 January 2004 at 10.30 am, Committee Room 3, City Hall.

It was agreed to cancel the meeting on 19 December. Please note – Health subgroup still to meet on that date.

19/6-26/9/200	CONSULTATION
2 December 2003	EXECUTIVE*	Consider consultation outcome Can approve statutory proposals for closures and new schools (including approval, in principle, of new Keighley primary school) and approve further consultation on Guardhouse site.
12 December 2003 –	FURTHER CONSULTATION on new site with parents/pupils of Keighley
2 February 2004	closing special schools.
9 March 2004 or	EXECUTIVE
23 March 2004	Considers consultation and can approve/reject site for new school
2 April 2004	Spring Term Ends
19 April 2004	Summer Term Starts
23 April 2004	PUBLISH STATUTORY NOTICES
	START OF REPRESENTATIONS PERIOD Prescribed information available. Temporary Governing bodies may be set up.
23 June 2004	END OF REPRESENTATIONS PERIOD (2 months)
	LEA comment on objections/comments
Before end of summer term	SCHOOL ORGANISATION COMMITTEE Determine Statutory Proposals
1 September 2004	Autumn Term Starts
August 2006	EARLIEST CLOSURE IMPLEMENTATION DATE
September 2006	EARLIEST SCHOOL OPENING DATE

Minutes of the SEN Reorganisation Steering Group