1

Minutes of last meeting

These were accepted as a true record.

2

Matters arising

Item 2 – CH - Temple Bank funding – There is no breakdown available to the figure quoted. Further information should be available from Raj Singh, Council Finance.

Item 5 – PG – The Early Years map is not yet ready and will be brought to the meeting when available.

Item 5 – PG – The HT assimilation process is on track to conclude by 20 June.

3

BSF Update (PG)

At present officers are involved with the very complex procurement process. Friday, 17 June is the deadline for the expression of interest from the 3 bidders, after which there will be a thorough evaluation process over the summer made by the core evaluation team plus 5/6 further groups.  The selection process should be completed by October.

The bidders are consortia made up of sections from finance, architecture, major construction companies, communication, education and IT providers.

Very specific design requirements for each school will have to be submitted. 

No certainty, as yet, to the primary special schools going through the BSF process, although it would make sense to do so. 

4

SEN Review and Consultation Update (CH)

Deaf Review report going to EPP in July and to Improvement Committee and Executive in September.

Resourced Nurseries and Children's Centres Plus consultation finishes 30 June.  The report goes to Executive in September.

5

Review of Sub-groups

After some discussion it was agreed:

• To rename the steering group – SEN Reorganisation Implementation Group
• To define its term of reference quite clearly
• The 6 newly appointed special school HTs to join the group
• GB and SG to discuss with other special school HTs the appropriateness  of the 6 mainstream HTs being represented on the steering group
• There should be governor representation – JL to continue as primary special school representative.  John Hesketh to be asked to find another willing representative, ideally from a secondary special school.
• The following sub-groups will continue/be established:

ü      Health – resources for the group are required.  JR/KB to further this.  DW to join as the education representative.

ü      Early Years

ü      Communications – a non HT special schools representative required.  SG to pursue.  KB or Jackie Walters to join the group – KB to discuss with JW.

ü      HR

ü      Harmonising the Vision – new group to replace Vision into Practice and Co-location Development Group

ü      Training

ü      Pupil Transition – to include transport when appropriate.  PG to discuss with BD a possible link between Pupil Transition and Building Transition at some point.

ü      Revenue/Finance – new group.  MC and PG to come back with membership and remit of the group.

The remit of all groups to be reviewed and Chairs to report back.

There will continue to be strong links between the steering group and BSF – PG, MC and MJC are all members of the Strategic Partnering Board.

The BSF Education Vision Group, chaired by PG, will challenge decisions made to ensure that outcomes remain true to the vision for education.  This group will bring together the 15 decisions for education as one overall vision in the District for everyone from birth to adult learners.

6

Steering Group Subgroup Updates

Health (SB) – At present each service provider across the health family has been asked to map services in relation to developing a set of principles and a hierarchy of need.  This work should be completed by June and ratified by September/October.  It has been agreed that funding will be available from the Local Authority to employ a project manager to facilitate the health element of the SEN review.  Health are currently pursuing this appointment.

Early Years (MM) – Nothing to report.

Communication (RT)

• Confirmation of the 15 July event for special schools staff at Valley Parade – 2.15 to 4 pm.  MC to Chair with PG and CH also attending.  PG to approach David Bell to attend as a speaker.  HTs to pass on staff attendance figures to RT.  PG agreed to send a letter to parents concerning the event.
• Progress being made on further visits – to discuss further with PC and CH.
• Questionnaire for all steering group members to complete to be emailed immediately.

HR (PG) – Further progress is being made on staff assimilation.

Vision into Practice (CH) – The last meeting has now taken place.  CH thanked all those concerned for their contribution to the group.

Training (CH) – Meeting with Bradford College on 17 June.

Pupil Transition (CH) – The group next meets in July.

Timeline (PC) – Please forward to PC any updates, if not already done so.  Exact start and end dates (ie 3 Sept) are required to update in term of percentage of the work covered so far.

7

AOB

It was agreed that from September the meetings would be fortnightly.  A new schedule will be published shortly.

8

Date and time of next meeting

Friday, 8 July at 10.30 am at Future House. 

An extra meeting has been added on 21 July at 10.30 am at Future House.