Content

10.1

The
Head of Commissioning introduced the report containing proposals
that will ensure that the Local Authority meets its statutory
duties under the Education Act 1996 to provide sufficient
mainstream and SEND education places, promote parental choice,
diversity, and fair access.  Ensuring that there are
sufficient mainstream and SEND education places for every child and
eligible young person is a fundamental responsibility of local
government and is essential to the Local Authority’s focus on
enabling children and young people to have a great start in life,
achieve their full potential, and contribute to the success of the
city.

10.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Education,
Children and Families Policy Committee:-
 
For
Primary
 

Monitor the impact of falling rolls in mainstream settings and
provide the sector with latest forecast data.
Support mainstream schools with sustainability challenges and
undertake actions as required, including reduction in published
admission numbers where needed.

 
For
Secondary
 
3.    
Utilise allocation forecasts which are uplifted by 3% to provide a
contingency of additional places in the mainstream secondary
system, to allow for in-year movement, in-year admissions and to
help mitigate demand from variable factors.
4.    
Continue to work with the secondary sector to develop solutions to
help address the citywide mainstream deficits. This includes
consideration of options to expand or develop new additional
provision to support sufficiency.

 
For
Post-16
 
5.    
Continue to work with the post-16 sector and the Department for
Education to better understand the sufficiency position across the
city and identify gaps and solutions to address.

 
For
SEND
 
6.    
Continue to work with the education sector, health, care and wider
partners to develop solutions to help address continued rising
demand for SEND education places, with a focus on:

a.    
Further increasing and developing provision in mainstream
settings.

b.    
Targeted growth within the specialist sector. Page 62 Page 5 of
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c.    
Long-term strategic developments to provide high quality provision
for future generations.

 

10.3

Reasons for Decision

10.3.1

This
report is to update the Education, Children and Families Policy
Committee on our sufficiency plans. Members are requested to note
the contents of the report. When committee decisions are required,
we will return to the Education, Children and Families Policy
Committee.

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.4.1

Alternative Option 1: Do
nothing.
 
“Do nothing” would mean the Local
Authority does not intervene in the education sector. This option
has been rejected due to the risk of the Local Authority breaching
its statutory duty to ensure sufficient education places for
children and young people within Sheffield.
 

10.4.2

No
other alternative options have been considered that are not
outlined in the report. This is because we are in the process of
exploring all options to ensure sufficient education places in
Sheffield and mitigate the risks associated with surplus and
deficit places forecast.