West Northamptonshire SEND & AP Partnership Improvement Board Summary (11 July 2024)

SEND & AP Partnership Improvement Board Summary (11 July 2024)

Previous Minutes & Action Log

• The Ofsted & CQC Inspection report publication was delayed due to pre-election period. It was due to be published on Monday 8th July but there have been further delays from Ofsted therefore, partners agreed to publish the report and priority action plan simultaneously, independently of Ofsted.
• Communication with elected members, the press and radio has been agreed and a partnership FAQ document has been produced.
• Emotional wellbeing support for partner workforces will be offered as well as updates to schools and settings.

Partnership Risk Log

• Draft partnership risk log was shared with focus on risk descriptions and mitigations.
• Agreement to identify systemic and organisational issues as a partnership.
• Risks will be monitored by workstream and lead officers with consistent reporting to ensure transparency.

Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC):

• Augmentative & Alternative Communication Service presentation was shared including the service details, budget, challenges, contract renewal and impact.
• Proposal for service improvement and funding discussed.
• The partnership is very supportive of the service and committed to explore joint commissioning options and agreed to bring back to the board in September.

WNVP Update:

• Annual parent carer survey has now closed and received 855 responses.
• An analytical report of the results is expected by September, which will be shared with the partnership and support services to self-evaluate within their own teams.

Data Dashboard:

• Reviewed SEND data, including assessment numbers and timeliness ensuring that the dashboard is closely aligned to the priority action plan.
• Detailed discussion on capturing backlog progress and managing increasing demand.

Preparation for Adulthood (PfA) Parents and Carers Information Document:

• The co-produced information pack from PfA workstream brought to board for review and feedback date set.

Workstream Meeting Mapping & the Priority Action Programme:

• Comprehensive workstream mapping shared to enable smooth transition between current workstreams and new workstreams in September.
• All future meetings, reviews and action completion dates have been mapped in order to meet the priority action plan.
• High level overviews were shared with the partnership.
• Actions will be carefully monitored, tracked and reported through the governance structure through the agreement of key measures across the partnership (to be agreed by September 2024).
• The Board will structure future board agendas around workstream updates and tracking.

AI Developments Update:

• An overview was provided of a project to improve the EHCP application process including use of AI to develop a chatbot function and initial review of Requests for Statutory Assessments.
• All work is being thoroughly tested and evaluated and the project hope to have further developments to share in September.

SEND Funding Update:

• An update on the SEND funding project and consultation results was provided.
• Implementation of RAS system on track to commence in September.
• All settings will benefit from 100% payment protection until March 2025.
• Appeals process is live and responding to feedback.