The Schools Forum met on Thursday 25 January 2024 to discuss the 2024/25 budget, the 2023/24 financial update, and the SEND Futures Plan. Key decisions included agreeing the early years central items budgets for 2024/25 and recommending the proposed early years local formula.

2024/25 Budget

Members received an update on the budget allocations for the 2024/25 academic year, which totals £212.052m, an increase of £11.527m from the previous year. This increase is attributed to additional government funding, population changes, and funding for extended duties. The Schools Block funding has been updated to £151.335m, with previous transfers to support a Targeted High Needs Fund, the Education Inclusion Support Service, and school improvement services noted. The Central Schools Services Block has a confirmed allocation of £1,121,448, with an unallocated balance of £286k that the local authority proposed to use to alleviate pressures in the High Needs Block. The High Needs Block allocation has indicatively increased to £37.842m, with 2024/25 being the final year for Safety Valve Funding claims. The Early Years Block has increased to £21.754m.

Following consultation with early years providers, the Forum agreed the early years central items budgets for 2024/25, recommended the proposed early years local formula, and noted the information provided in the report. Proposed changes to hourly rates for supporting early years pupils include an increase for three and four-year-olds, a new rate for two-year-olds, and a new rate for children aged nine months to two years old.

2023/24 Finance Update

An overview of the 2023/24 financial breakdown was presented, showing a projected outturn of £197.181m against a grant allocation of £195.668m. The overspend is entirely within the High Needs Block, driven by an increase in the number of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), rising costs of residential placements due to inflation, increased spend on independent placements, and an increase in top-up spending. A lack of local places has led to an increase in out-of-borough placements, with particular pressure noted for SEMH (Social, Emotional, and Mental Health) provision. The Forum noted the latest DSG allocation and the projected DSG outturn position for the 2023/24 financial year.

SEND Futures Plan

Members were given an overview of the SEND Futures Plan, noting that Richmond continues to perform well against the measures set out in the Safety Valve Agreement. The Care Quality Commission inspection resulted in the highest possible grade, removing the need for a Written Statement of Action. Areas for improvement identified include reducing waiting list times for ASD/ADHD assessments, ensuring all expectant mothers can access ante-natal contact from a health visitor, and improving the quality of information in EHCPs.

The draft updated SEND Futures Plan, which focuses on early identification and intervention, the local offer, and assessment and planning, was open for feedback. The plan is underpinned by themes of participation, engagement, co-production, preparing for independence, high-quality commissioning, and workforce development. Progress has been made with the opening of the Vineyard specialist resource provision and the expansion of the Auriga Trust. A new Associate Director of SEND commenced in post in January 2024.

Discussions highlighted the ongoing need to improve EHCPs through enhanced quality assurance and staff training. Challenges with the annual review process and the need for holistic outcomes were noted. The digitalisation of EHCPs was also raised as an area for assessment. The importance of smooth transitions from nursery to reception, including information exchange between settings, was emphasised. The Forum was reminded that the High Needs Block Sub-group is part of the Forum and willing to take direction from it.

Any Other Updates

It was highlighted that the early years sector sometimes struggles to identify pupils eligible for the Pupil Premium¹ until the end of term, impacting planning. This issue will be fed back to the early years team.