Strategy for SEN - Implementation Plan

From: Michael Bateman
Strategy Manager, Special Educational Needs & Children with Disabilities

Further to our recent communication on Friday, confirming the start date for formative consultation through the establishment of five stage 1 projects within the Strategy for SEN. I can now provide you with clarification regarding the sequencing of this formative consultation within the wider formal consultation processes.

Outlined below is the original sequence of events that we had planned for the first 12 months of the SEN Strategy Implementation:

• Summer 2007 - consultation on the proposed locations of complex needs schools and specialist resource bases


• Summer 2007 - beginning work, with all stakeholders, on 5 Stage 1 projects to develop further the model for complex needs schools and specialist resource bases


• Autumn 2007 - fair funding consultation process for the funding models for complex needs schools and specialist resource bases


• Spring 2008 - report to Members on the implementation plan taking account of the 3 elements above (Locations, Models, Funding Plans)

We have recently been reconsidering the most appropriate sequencing of the various key elements of the implementation plan and have decided that the following sequence of events will be adopted.

• Summer 2007 - beginning work, with all stakeholders, on 5 Stage 1 projects to develop further the model for complex needs schools and specialist resource bases


• Autumn 2007 - consultation on the proposed locations of complex needs schools and specialist resource bases


• Autumn 2007 - fair funding consultation process for the funding models for complex needs schools and specialist resource bases


• Spring 2008 - report to Members on the implementation plan taking account of the 3 elements above (Locations, Models, Funding Plans)

The change that we have made ensures that we can work through formative consultation with stakeholders to further develop the models of specialist provision during the summer 2007 period, separate from the consultation on the proposed locations of this provision. The consultation on the proposed locations will now take place simultaneously with the Fair Funding consultation, which will provide full details of how complex needs schools and specialist resource bases will be funded.

This sequencing will also give us the opportunity to carry out the consultation regarding the proposed location of specialist provision with full knowledge of the outcome of the Norwich Unitary bid consultation process this summer. Knowledge of the structure of the central area / Norwich area will enable all stakeholders to engage with our consultation regarding proposed locations fully.

I hope that you find this update helpful, if you do have any queries or wish to discuss further, please do not hesitate to contact either myself or Suzy Leverett on 01603 224495.