15 July (Part 1) - Preparing Children in Care for Adulthood. A new Strategy
The Public Cabinet webcast began with the Leader half way through a joke over
a Member’s absence due to a cold. Whoever it was has my sympathy as the one I acquired
two weeks ago has still not gone away. One of my contacts has tested positive
for Covid so perhaps I should give tomorrow’s Transport Sub-Committee meeting a miss.
The Cabinet was asked to approve a new SEND Strategy (Preparing for Adulthood)
for the years 2024-2028 which they did. Its authors said it was “broad, deep
and exemplary” so one must hope they are right.
Cabinet Members Caroline Newton, Melvin Seymour, Richard Diment and Chris Taylor were all enthusiastic backers of
the “exciting” plan. Transitioning children in care who may have no traditional
parental guidance is a vital service if they are to be given the best possible start in life.
Labour Councillor Nicola Taylor managed to find a few negatives based on the
findings of the last SEND inspection which the new Strategy is designed to
address. There should have been “greater emphasis on the EHC Plans”.
The claim that the Strategy had no financial implications because it will be
paid for through the Safety Valve Programme came under criticism too. The SVP is
already under pressure “according to school heads, parents and community
leaders. What confidence can we have that all children will have the support
necessary to fulfill their potential?” Any failure “will be due to the financial decisions made by this administration”.
The Director of Children’s Services said that all the answers had been given “in
some considerable amount of detail in the Priority Action Plan”. The Strategy is available to read in
the Agenda to the meeting. (PDF)