Purpose

To update Cabinet on progress to meet Wiltshire's Safety Valve agreement and share in public the DfE Monitoring Report for April 2025.

Decision

That Cabinet note:

1. The monitoring update provided to the Department for Education (DfE) in April, and the feedback received following that update.
2. The statement from the DfE in response to the Council’s request for an extension to the Safety Valve agreement, submitted in December 2024.
3. The continued risk related to the Statutory Override, which is due to expire in April 2026.

Reason for Proposals

This ensures that Cabinet are fully apprised of the progress and risks around the High Needs Block and Safety Valve, and that this report is taken in public so that the council continues its commitment to transparency around Safety Valve.