Agenda item
Use of centrally retained Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) in 2014/2015
The report outlines how the centrally retained DSG has been used in 2014/15 and identifies required use of centrally retained High Needs Block for 2015/2016.
Minutes:
The Forum received a report which outlined how the centrally retained DSG had been used in 2014/15 and identified required use of centrally retained High Needs Block for 2015/16. The Assistant Director, School Improvement highlighted the changes between the 2014/15 budget and the 2015/16 expected spend.
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Para. |
Area |
Changes
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5 |
Early Years Area Special Educational Needs Co-ordinatos – SEND Team |
Due to an increase in the number of schools needing support an additional Area SENCO will be hired.
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7 |
Therapies |
Therapies could become part of personal budgets. Speech and language therapies will be reviewed this year.
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8 |
Statements / EHC Plans |
Change in applications and is demand driven.
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10 |
High Cost Pupils |
There is an increasing need for additional psychiatric support. Recruitment is needed in this area. CAMHs will provide the support.
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11 |
Pre-16 out of county placements |
The number of children placed out of county have reduced except for severe needs. Two appealed via tribunal and there are independent placements.
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16 |
Virtual School management and delivery |
The service now supports students both pre and post 16.
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17 |
Commissioned Services |
This services was previously centrally retained but is now commissioned out to school based providers.
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18 |
Hearing Impairment Service |
There have been recruitment of: Part-time peripatetic teacher Speech and Language Therapy Asst.
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21 |
Medical Needs Service |
The number of hours available to students, where appropriate, have been changed to allow as many as they can cope with. Supply staff are difficult to fund Recruitment of additional staff follow regulation changes. Additional changes are anticipated
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22 |
Jigsaw Centre |
There has been an increase to the contract price due to demand.
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28 |
DSG contribution to Central Overheads |
The number of specialist places commissioned from Special Schools and Specialist Provisions have been increasing and the needs of some children being more complex. A 5 year plan is being developed for special schooling.
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29 |
DSG contribution to Central Overheads |
Oak Bank School is considering extending its age range to include pre-16 pupils.
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30 |
DSG contribution to Central Overheads |
4 additional places have been commissioned at Manshead School for 2015/16 to reflect secondary status and will be re-commissioning primary provision in 2016 following Streetfield’s closure.
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32 |
DSG contribution to Central Overheads |
16 places have been commissioned for children with speech and language needs.
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36 |
DSG contribution to Central Overheads |
The table shows the financial breakdown and differences between 2014/15 and 2015/16 spend. |
The Forum requested that a technical sub group be formed to consider the High Needs paper and convened during the summer term. The following Forum members volunteered:
Shirley Ann Crosbie OBE
Sue Howley MBE
Sarah Mortimer
Angie Hardy
RESOLVED
1. The centrally retained High Needs Block has been used in 2014/2015 to support high needs provision, be noted.
2. That the allocation of High Needs Block for 2015/16 be agreed.
3. That the distribution of unspent DSG in 2014/15 be agreed.
4. That the transfer of the balance of unspent High Needs Block DSG to support capital development in specialist provisions in 2015/16.
Supporting documents:
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