There is a nationally recognised issue facing
all LAs that have seen an increasing number of appeals against
decisions that can be appealed to SENDIST, Doncaster is also seeing
this was significant increase in tribunals. In Doncaster the
numbers have risen significantly. In July 2017 there were 3 live
tribunal cases and in July 2021 there were 8. The total number of
tribunals in 2020 were 13 and currently as over April 2022 there
are 10 active tribunal cases. It should be noted that this does not
include cases resolved at the formal mediation stage. There are a
range of reasons for appeals to SENDIST, including:
- The Local Authority secured an EHC assessment but refused to make
an EHC plan
- The Local Authority has issued an EHC plan following an EHC Needs
Assessment
- I disagree with what the EHC plan says about the child or young
person’s special
educational needs (Section B)
- I disagree with what the EHC plan says about the educational
help/provision the child or
Young Person requires (Section F)
- I disagree with the school/college/institution named in the EHC
plan (Section I)
Alongside the increase in tribunals there has been a year on year
increase since 2016 in requests for statutory assessments, and
currently Doncaster maintains over 2300 Education Health and Care
Plans with over 200 in the 20 week process. Due to these ongoing
demands there is a need to increase the capacity in the SEND
Service. Without the additional posts there is a significant risk
to the LA both reputationally and financially.
Utilising the service transformation funding to provide additional
capacity will support the team to embed high quality case work
whilst responding to high levels of requests. Moving towards
embedding the additional workloads into business as usual.
Attendance post:
The AWPS has seen a significant increase in demand since the start
of the pandemic, with a 250% increase in EHE notifications and a
40% increase in CME referrals. The team has been disproportionately
affected by Covid and other serious illnesses and require extra
capacity in order to address the increase in need over the next six
months.
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 25/05/2022
Decision due: 6 May 2022 by Director of Learning, Opportunities and Skills
Contact: Rebecca Mason Email: rebecca.mason@doncaster.gov.uk.