1.The number of initial requests that were made for assessment for an EHC plan during the 2018 calendar year. The council may refer me to the government’s SEN 2 data if it is satisfied with the accuracy of the published figure –
1,491 as per SEN2
2. Of the number of initial requests for assessment for an EHC plan during the 2018 calendar year (i.e. the question 1 figure), how many requests for assessment were refused? This question excludes requests made during the 2017 calendar year that were refused during the 2018 calendar year, but includes requests made during the 2018 calendar year that have been refused during the 2019 calendar year. I leave it to the council’s discretion as to whether the SEN 2 figures satisfy these parameters –
244 as per SEN2.
3. Of the number of initial requests that were made for assessment for an EHC plan during the 2018 calendar year (i.e. the question 1 figure), how many have resulted in EHC plans being made (including plans made during the 2019 calendar year)? Please note the SEN 2 figures do not provide this data – SEN 2 shows the number of ECH plans that were made during the 2018 calendar year, not 2019, and regardless of the year in which the request for an assessment was made –
1,111 resulted in an EHCP.
4. Of the number of initial requests that were made for assessment for an EHC plan during the 2018 calendar year (i.e. the question 1 figure), how many requests have yet to be decided upon (or are yet to have an ECH plan made, where the need for a plan has been agreed)? Please note the SEN 2 figures do not provide this data – the SEN 2 figures measure the outcomes of those assessments that took place during the 2018 calendar year
52
The difference in numbers is accounted for by 84 requests for assessment that were not initially refused but did not result in an EHCP.
5.The monetary value of the council’s High Needs Block allocation from the government each year in 2018/19 and 2019/20.
Dedicated Schools Grant 2018 – 2019
Dedicated Schools Grant 2019 – 2020
6.The monetary value of the council’s actual High Needs Block expenditure each financial year for 2018/19 and forecast for 2019/20.
2018/19: £71.061 millions. (Net reported £68.588m included a planned deficit carry forward of £2.473m)
2019/20: £70.612 millions (£65.589m on budget book plus a recognised £5.023m budget pressure as at budget prep time Nov 18)
7.The monetary value of the council’s overspend or underspend (please specify) on its High Needs Block in 2018/19 and forecast for 2019/20.
2018/19: £4.046 millions OVER SPEND including planned carry forward (£6.519m less £2.473m = £4.046m reported)
2019/20: £5.023 millions OVER SPEND (un funded pressure reported at budget prep)
8.The monetary value of transfers (a) to the council’s High Needs expenditure from other parts of the council’s DSG allocation, and (b) from the council’s High Needs Block allocation to other parts of the council’s DSG expenditure, in 2018/19 and forecast for 2019/20.
2018/19:
a) £24,000 to High Needs Block from Schools Block (6 x unoccupied support centre places – Element 1)
b) £0 from HNB to other DSG
2019/20:
a) £0 to HNB from other DSG
b) £0 from HNB to other DSG
9.Any proposals the council has adopted or is considering adopting to reduce (or limit increases in) its High Needs expenditure in 2019/20, including (but not limited to) mitigating action to tackle forecast High Needs Block overspends, or changes to eligibility for or provision or staffing of special needs education, or restrictions to eligibility for or provision of special needs education transport services.
Proposals for 2019 – 2020
• Block contract commissioning of Independent school placements
• Review of Post 16 placements in Independent settings focused on students in their 3rd to 5th years of post 16 education.
• Devon Inclusion project aims to reduce exclusions/AP placements
10. Does the council use a banding system to allocate resources for special needs ‘top up’ funding?
Yes
11. Has the council changed the value or criteria of its banding system since April 2017? If so, please provide a copy of the impact assessment for the change.
No