National and Local Updates

1. National and Local Updates SENCo Cluster Meetings Autumn Term 2017

2. Reshape of Council Education Services • Proposals: • Creation of Early Years Service to ensure settings have the right capacity to identify and meet need early on; • Creation of Education Inclusion Team to give renewed focus on the outcomes for children with additional needs (without EHCP); • Combined EHCP Casework and Monitoring function to enable the service to respond to school and individual issues collectively • Separating Commissioning from casework functions to allow for greater scrutiny and robustness

3. Statements of SEN and EHC Plans: Gloucestershire 2017 The total number of statements and EHC plans has continued to increase….. In Gloucestershire in January 2017 there were: 2,303 children and young people with a statutory Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan 741 children and young people with statements of special educational needs (SEN) This gives a combined total of 3,044, an increase of 417 (15.9%) from 2,627 as at January 2016. There are currently 3,151 children and young people with a statement or an EHC plan.

4. Nationally and locally special educational needs are more prevalent in boys than girls. • In Gloucestershire, children aged 11 to 15 years old accounted for the highest percentage of children and young people with statements and EHC plans (38.3%).

5. The percentage of children under 5 years of age with a statement or an EHC plan has remained consistent in the county and nationally (at around 4%) . • In Gloucestershire there was a slight decrease in the percentage of children aged 5 to 10 years old with a statement or an EHC between January 2017 (35%) and January 2016 (40%). • The number of children and young people aged 16 to 19 with a statement or an EHC plan increased at a national and local level over this period.

6. The graph below shows the number of children and young people with a statement or an EHC plan maintained by Gloucestershire’s 10 statistical neighbours. Numbers increased in all of these authorities from January 2016 to January 2017 with the exception of Shropshirewhere there was a slight decrease. • Number of C&YP aged 0-25 with a statement or an EHCP as at January each year, 2010-2017 • (Source: Statements of SEN and EHC plans: England, 2017, DfE SFR)

7. Since the SEN reforms came into effect in September 2014, the number of children and young people with a statement or an EHC plan in Gloucestershire has increased by 25.5%. Of the statistical neighbour authorities, proportionally, Bath and North East Somerset have seen the largest increase between January 2015 and January 2017 (42%) and Devon the lowest (4.1%). • Number and percentage of C&YP aged 0-25 with a statement or an EHCP as at January each year, 2010-2017 (Source: Statements of SEN and EHC plans: England, 2017, DfE SFR)

8. SEN Support In Gloucestershire, 12.1% of pupils were recorded as receiving SEN Support in 2017 compared to 11.7% in 2016. The proportion of pupils recorded as being on SEN Support in Primary Schools in Gloucestershire increased slightly in 2017 (14.3%) compared to 2016 (13.8%). The proportion of pupils recorded as being on SEN Support in Secondary Schools in Gloucestershire increased in 2017 (9.8%) compared to the previous year (9.5%).

9. The High Needs Programme Inclusion in Mainstream Schools

10. High Needs – the basics • For 2017-18 the High Needs block totals £57.2M and covers: • Top-Ups in mainstream • Special Schools • Specialist placements • Alternative provision • SEND in the early yeas • Post 16 • Specialist services e.g. the virtual school

11. High Needs – the problem • £2M overspend in 2016/17 • 2017/18 balanced budget thanks to £1.3M additional DSG grant • On current trends the high needs budget will overspend from 2018/19 onwards • By 2020/21 the overspend could be £8.3M

12. High Needs – Some key data • ECHP or statement: April 2015 = 2,425; June 2017 = 3,134 • But children identified as being on SEN support declining • 1,116 special school places – only a few places left in September 2017

13. High Needs – the way forward • A single approach for all ‘additional needs’ • Decisions on deployment of resources are made by those that know the child best and are accountable for achieving the outcomes • Input of resources is short term and geared to meet specific outcomes unless needs are clearly long term

14. High Needs – the way forward • Resources are directed at addressing needs rather than on the process • Ensure that the graduated pathway and RAS process are effective and allow schools to respond flexibly to needs of pupils

15. High Needs – Your help • Heads will be asked to nominate SENDCOs to share good practice • All are invited to share ideas and make suggestions to improve inclusion • To discuss further, share comments and ideas please contact: john.reilly@gloucestershire.gov.uk

16. SEN Decision Making Panel The purpose of Panel Decisions about individual cases, 0-25 age range Seen as good practice Parent Carer Forum representation Educational Psychologist, Advisory Teachers Broader school representation sought for year ahead Contact: Natalie Bennett, 0-25 SEN Casework Team Manager Natalie.Bennett@gloucestershire.gov.uk

17. EHCP Annual Review Template Update From September 2017 the new annual review template is available on SENCOSPOT on the Graduated Pathway page. This replaces previous EHCP annual review versions. Completed signed copies of the review paperwork must be sent within 10 days of the review to: EHCPAR@gloucestershire.gov.uk Or by post to the SEN Annual Review Team, Shire Hall Any queries please contact your SEN Monitoring Officer or the SEN annual review team

18. Local Offer – up-dating your information on Glos Families Directory • Schools need to check their entry on Glos families directory • To up-date it you can either: • Up-date your own entry by registering with the glosfamiliesdirectory – www.glosfamiliesdirectory.org.uk • Or: Email the link to your school website’s SEN Information Report to sendlocaloffer@gloucestershire.gov.uk • Guidance on content for your report is available from the SEN Monitoring and School Support Team. • If you have any questions / need additional updates then contact sendlocaloffer@gloucestershire.gov.uk or senmonitoringofficers@gloucestershire.gov.uk

19. Education Performance and Inclusion Team - Closing the Gap Newsletter - Summer 2017 • http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/media/16421/closing-the-gap-newsletter-summer-2017.pdf

20. National SENCO Forum • Join up and use the forum to: • Share information • Ask questions • Share practical advice • Share resources • Hear about recent research publications • More information about the Forum and joining instructions can be found at: http://lists.education.gov.uk/mailman/listinfo/senco-forum

21. Exam Access Arrangements – Secondary Schools • The revised access arrangements information for the summer 2018 GCSE and GCE examinations can be downloaded from here: https://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/access-arrangements-and-special-consideration/regulations-and-guidance/acce • There's a useful summary of changes which can be downloaded from here: https://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/access-arrangements-and-special-consideration/regulations-and-guidance/jcqpatoss-201718-update-insert-for-4th-edition • Its also worth checking the rules which apply in the exam room itself which are in the Instructions for Conducting Examinations pages 19 - 20.  https://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/ice---instructions-for-conducting-examinations/instructions-for-conducting-examinations-2016-2017  There are other relevant sections in ICE too.

22. Worried about children not attending school regularly? The Advisory Teachers and Educational Psychologists are concerned that poorly attending children are slipping through the net and not being brought to their attention. If the services could be involved earlier with children who are beginning to be poor attenders they could help with strategies or interventions to increase attendance. We are keen to stop children drifting away from school so please consult with us if you are concerned.

23. Intensive traded support from the ATS The Advisory Teaching Service has launched their traded service while operates alongside their usual offer to schools. If you would like more intensive specialist input from the advisory teachers – (for example, working with a small group, in-house training, working alongside SENCO or teachers on focused SEND projects in your school) they can bought in at £75 an hour. This is an exciting development for schools and SENCOs with outcomes in mind!

24. EY EASIPAC – EPS training for EY The Educational Psychology Service is beginning to roll out area based training for EY settings around supporting children with unsettled behaviour. The EASIPAC has been revamped and is ready to be used in settings with training support. The school-aged version will follow soon. If you want to know more contact: jodie.wilkinson@gloucestershire.gov.uk

25. Training offer for 2017-18 The Advisory Teaching Service and the Educational Psychology Service have printed their new training booklets and these are also available on line. Book early to avoid disappointment! Please remember Dr Bill Rogers is coming to Gloucestershire - there are still places available. WORKING WITH CHILDREN WITH CHALLENGING BEHAVIOUR – A WHOLE SCHOOL APPROACH Tuesday 17th October 2017, 9.00am–4.00pm Kingsholm Rugby Stadium, Gloucester, GL1 3AX Cost: £150 per person (including refreshments and lunch) To book now, please call 01594 823102, email atstraining@gloucestershire.gov.uk or visit www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/schoolsnet/ATS-training

26. FIZZY Programme relaunch Gloucestershire Advisory Teaching Service & the Occupational Therapy Service are relaunching an improved & expanded version of the FIZZY Programme called FIZZY Coaching. This is a combination of the FIZZY motor coordination programme, (originally started in Gloucestershire in 2008), with an approach called Movement Coaching & is designed for children identified within schools who have co-ordination difficulties. This training program is for staff who are already using the FIZZY programme or who are new to it. It will combine the original activities and format with an understanding of movement coaching principles (similar to sports coaching). It will also provide ideas of how to transfer these movement coaching principles to activities in the classroom.

27. FIZZY Coaching course details • Date & time: Friday 3rd November from 9.15am to 3.30pm • Venue: ATS Gloucester Base on Commercial Road • Cost: £90 to include lunch & other refreshments (this is an introductory price for the new course) • Booking: via the ATS training website or contact Helen Boyce on 01594 823102 • (N.B. Schools in the Stroud Association of Schools have already bought into a shortened half-day version of this course)

28. www.gloucestershireoutreachservice.co.uk • The Heart of the Forest School • Bettridge School • Belmont School • Battledown Centre for Children and Families (EY & KS1) • The Ridge Academy (Primary) • The Peak Academy (Secondary) • The Milestone School • The Shrubberies School • Paternoster School • Alderman Knight School

29. Providing advice and guidance about  special needs • Advising about integration/transition issues • Advice concerning appropriate resources, including ICT resources • Advising on planning appropriate interventions • Observation of children and young people in teaching and learning situations • Input to individual programmes  (including direct teaching, development of learning targets, advice about teaching strategies, and specialist resources • Professional development of teachers. Teaching assistants and support staff in individual settings or clusters e.g. One-off training on: • ASD and structured teaching • P scale assessment • Use of communication in print • Total communication • Contribution to a programme of training • Modelling lessons • Shadowing

30. Access Signage Some Children and Young People may need to use the access toilet but may have a hidden disability or need, e.g. catheter management that is not immediately obvious. Some young people have found this a problem at secondary schools when staff and other students perceive that they are using the access toilet inappropriately. It is good practice to think about how you are highlighting the signage within your school.