Norfolk Area Special Educational Needs and/or Disability (SEND) Strategy 2019-2024
Autumn 2022
Norfolk Area Special Educational Needs
and/or Disability (SEND) Strategy
2019-2024
This strategy is the plan for how SEND services
in Norfolk will be improved
This Norfolk Area SEND Strategy has been updated and developed by representativ es from across the council and health services in co-production with parent/carer organisations and Norfolk’s education providers.
Select the logo links for more information
What does co-production mean in Norfolk? Working together and communicating as equals. Understanding and valuing one another’s unique insights and expertise to create a plan to bring about positive change
Contents
Page 4 Introduction
Page 5 Local context
Page 10 Priorities overview
Page 11 Priority 1 - Working together with children and young people with SEND
Page 12 Priority 2 - Improving what is in place for families and professionals to support children and young people with SEND
Page 13 Priority 3 - Communicating the SEND services and support available in Norfolk
Page 14 Priority 4 - Preparing young people for adult life
Page 15 Action plan
Page 16 What will the future look like?
Page 18 How to find out more
When we talk about services, we mean organised systems that Page 19 Appendix 1: Text description of key information shown in charts meet needs, such as schools, colleges, health services, home-to-school transport and social services
Introduction
We’re very happy to share our updated Norfolk SEND Area Strategy for 2022-23. We have the same four key priorities agreed in 2019 based on the outcomes set out by Norfolk Children and Young People Strategic Alliance (Cypsa).
These priorities keep the focus on making sure Norfolk is a place for every child and young person to Flourish no matter what their start in life or what level of help and support they need to achieve their full potential. Having worked closely with the Department for Education this year, we know our local plan fits well with national plans that the Government is likely to set out later this year.
The priorities are:
Working together with children and young people (Cyp) with SEND
Improving what is in place for families and professionals to support children and young people with SEND
Communicating the SEND services and support available in Norfolk
Preparing young people for adult life
In this update we’ll be sharing a little more about the work we’ve carried out so far to improve and transform the lives of children and young people with SEND.
We’ve been working on 109 separate actions to improve services where Ofsted/Care Quality Commission told us it was most needed, and we await our re-visit later this year.
We’ve also been doing lots of work to make sure we understand the experience of children and young people with SEND, their parents/carers and the professionals who work with them. More than 1,200 people responded to our wide-ranging SEND survey this year which is helping us build a picture of SEND services and provision across education, health, social care and wider community support and has reassured us that our action plans and improvement work are focusing on the right areas.
Looking forward, it is vitally important that we continue to build on our strengths, trusted relationships and determination to work together, to support children and young people with SEND in Norfolk and change lives together.
Sara Tough Executive Director of Norfolk Children's Services
Tracey Bleakley Chief Executive Designate of NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care
Local context
This data gives a snapshot of SEND in Norfolk now.
Students in Norfolk schools 2022 – Reception to Year 13
15,747 have SEN Support (13.7%) - up from 15,015 (12.9%) in 2020 4,357
have an EHCP (3.8%) – up from 3,294 in 2020
115,308 children and young people in primary and secondary education, down from 116,067 in 2020
% of children aged 2 to 5 with EHCP or SEN Support in early years settings
| Norfolk | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| EHCP | 0.5 | 1 | 1 |
| SEN Support | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| England | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| EHCP | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1 |
| SEN Support | 6 | 6 | 7 |
58% National percentage including exceptional cases for 2022 compared to 60% for 2020
New EHC Plans Issued within 54% Norfolk percentage including exceptional cases for 2022 compared to 20% for 2020
8,671
Total number of EHCP 0−25 – up from 6,689 in 2020
20 weeks
Where children and young people with an EHCP are learning in Norfolk Where children and young people with an EHCP are learning in England Young people with an EHCP in Norfolk by age range 2021 to 2022 At 16 destinations by SEND students (state-funded mainstream schools)
Education
Apprenticeship
Employment
Norfolk 2018/19 83% 2019/20 83%
Norfolk 2018/19 4% 2019/20 4%
Norfolk 2018/19 3% 2019/20 4%
England 2018/19 81% 2019/20 82%
England 2018/19 4% 2019/20 4%
England 2018/19 4% 2019/20 4%
Norfolk SEN primary need breakdown 2020-21 in schools Norfolk permanent exclusions (Pex) 3 Term (includes state-funded primary, secondary and special schools)
| Norfolk | 2019/20 | 2020/21 |
|---|---|---|
| Students with an EHCP | 4% | 10% |
| Students with SEN Support | 50% | 44% |
| Students without EHCP/SEN Support | 46% | 46% |
| England | 2019/20 | 2020/21 |
|---|---|---|
| Students with an EHCP | 5% | 6% |
| Students with SEN Support | 40% | 38% |
| Students without EHCP/SEN Support | 55% | 56% |
Norfolk persistent absenteeism (includes state-funded primary, secondary and special schools)
| Norfolk | 2018/19 | 2020/21 |
|---|---|---|
| Students with an EHCP | 6% | 11% |
| Students with SEN Support | 20% | 21% |
| Students without EHCP/SEN Support | 74% | 68% |
| England | 2018/19 | 2020/21 |
|---|---|---|
| Students with an EHCP | 7% | 13% |
| Students with SEN Support | 0.2% | 0.1% |
| Students without EHCP/SEN Support | 93% | 87% |
Sources: * Source: School and Pupil Census, Spring 2022
** Source: SEN2 Return 2022 Education, health and care plans government statistics 2022 Key stage 4 destination measures, Academic Year 2019/20 government statistics Special educational needs in England, Academic Year 2020/21 government statistics Education, health and care plans, Reporting Year 2022 government statistics
Our priorities
Priority 1 Working together with children and young people (Cyp) with SEND Priority 2 Improving what is in place for families and professionals to support Cyp with SEND Priority 3 Communicating the SEND services and support available in Norfolk Priority 4 Preparing young people for adult life
Changing Lives Together
Communicating
Helping
Improving
Understanding
Supporting
Valuing
Consulting
Participating
Developing Co-producing
Priority 1
Working together with children and young people (Cyp) with SEND
It is important that the education, health and social care needs of Cyp and actions that will help them are identified as soon as possible.
Parents/carers and professionals are supported to work together to understand how they can best help Cyp with SEND to learn and develop.
What needs to happen
- Cyp and their parents/carers feel confident about sharing their experiences and that these will be used to shape improvements
When we talk about professionals, we mean
- Cyp are supported to have an active role in decision making
the people who work to help and support children and young
- Communication about services is clear and
understood by Cyp and their parents/carers and those working with them
people with SEND.
- Cyp, their parents/carers and professionals work in co-production to develop ways to share information
- Timely and meaningful assessments are used to plan the support needed to enable Cyp to progress
An example of recent work:
- improved knowledge, understanding and skills of school staff who work with Cyp with SEND through sharing good practice
Priority 2
Improving what is in place for families and professionals to support children and young people (Cyp) with SEND
It is important that those who plan and provide services and those who use them work together, ensuring that plans for improvement use all relevant information.
What needs to happen
- All those working with or volunteering to support Cyp have the right skills and training for their roles
- Education, health and social care services for Cyp are shaped by a strong commitment to co-production
When we talk about resources, we mean equipment, buildings, people,
- All services regularly review how they collect, share and use data
time and money.
- Those who plan services are using resources effectively
- Cyp and their parents/carers are part of conversations
about SEND support, know what to expect and are included in decision making
- Cyp and their parents/carers have access to information to be able to make choices when making placement decisions
A few examples of recent work:
- New SEND E-learning module to improve everybody's awareness of SEND and ways of working
- Better information about the provision available in Norfolk schools to help parent/carers make choices
- Developing a new central training framework so all those working with and or volunteering to support Cyp have the right skills and training for their roles
Priority 3
Communicating the SEND services and support available in Norfolk
It is important that parents/carers and professionals know how to find out what they can expect, what they can access and how they can all take part in developing plans for improvement.
The Local Offer website is key to sharing SEND information for parents/carers and professionals.
What needs to happen
- Services produce and develop their information in co-
production with children and young people (Cyp) and their parents/carers
SEND Local Offer website The place to find SEND
information
- Services ensure that information is easy to use and understand, helpful and up to date
The Norfolk local offer The services and support
- Cyp, parents/carers and professionals work together
to continuously review and improve the SEND Local Offer website.
available in the Norfolk area for Cyp with SEND
and their families
- A wide range of communication methods is used to
make sure that information is available to everyone who needs it
A few examples of recent work:
- New Special Educational Needs co-ordinators guide SENCO Guide with quick links to information they need to do their job
- New SEND communications guide SEND Communications Guide to help make sure information is easy to read and understand
- Two new SEND videos helping parents/carers to understand SEN Support and the SEND Local Offer
Priority 4
Preparing young people for adult life
It is important that children and young people (Cyp) with SEND are supported from an early age to develop skills that will enable them to increase independence, make choices and plan for their future.
Services are in place to help all Cyp with SEND transition successfully into an adult life of their own choosing.
What needs to happen
- Cyp are supported to take an active role in their
community, including employment and living an independent adult life
Preparing for adult life (PfAL) outcomes Norfolk has high aspirations for the futures of all Cyp and is committed to achieving the four
- Cyp are supported to understand and look after their health and wellbeing
PfAL outcomes, which are:
- Education, health and social care services will
work together with Cyp and parents/ carers to understand and meet the needs of Cyp
- Being healthy
- Having employment
- Being part of your community
- Independent living
- Services are shaped by a clear understanding of
the needs of Cyp and by reviewing the impact of services on their lives
- All Cyp and their parents/carers will know where to go for help and support with transition and preparing for adult life
A few examples of recent work:
- An employment action group has been set up to improve pathways to work for young people with SEND
- Exploring a wrap around skill development offer for young people with more complex SEND needs to be offered alongside their Post 16 provision
Action plan
There is an action plan for each of the four priorities
Examples of actions we are working on Priority 1 – working together with children and young people (Cyp) with SEND:
- improve knowledge, understanding and skills of school staff who work with Cyp with SEND
- develop guidance to support educational settings to hold person-centred reviews that fully engage Cyp with SEND and their families
Priority 2 – Improving what is in place for families and professionals to support Cyp with SEND
- A co-produced, accessible training platform will be created to inform and offer development opportunities to those that work or volunteer with children and young people with SEND and their families
- Information regarding SEND provision in Norfolk schools will be improved to
support parent/carers, children and young people make an informed decision about appropriate school placement
Priority 3 – Communicating the SEND support and services available in Norfolk
- Promote opportunities for Cyp with SEND and their parent/carers to get involved and have their say on a range of subjects
- Promote accessibility to all venues in Norfolk
Priority 4 – Preparing young people (Yp) for adult life
- Develop a ‘buddy’ scheme to support Yp with SEND to develop their skills and confidence when they are out and about in the community
- Develop and publish a plan that makes sure that there is Post 16 education to meet current and future needs
What will the future look like?
“Listening to children, young people and their families… supporting inclusion,
meeting needs and changing lives together means that ’’
Everyone is committed to Children and young people (Cyp) are supported locally working together Cyp are ready for education, training and/or employment Services gather feedback and explain what they will do to improve Services respond to the changing Three new specialist schools are opened and existing special schools needs of Cyp with SEND have more places Over a hundred new learning places are Settings have the resources created in our specialist resource bases to meet needs Information is co-produced, EHCPs are always high quality and accurate and reliable within the required timescale Settings confidently identify needs Settings have an inclusive culture, at an early stage supporting Cyp and their needs Cyp feel confident to aim high and Improved quality and sufficiency of placements for looked after children have ownership of their future with disabilities
How to find out more
Visit our SEND local Offer website at www.norfolk. gov.uk/SEND SEND Local Offer for Children and Young People Web pages designed for children and young people aged 10-25 to use.
Making Sense of SEND Regular information and participation events for parent/carers who have a child with SEND
SEND Forum Termly events for SENCos and other SEND professionals, to get updates and specialist advice and support.
SEND Youth Forum New youth forum for 11−25-year-olds where they can share experiences, discuss issues and create change.
Animations Explaining what the Norfolk Local Offer is and how it works and Explaining what SEN Support is and how it works
SEND Bulletin Read the latest edition of the bulletin which features news from across education, social care, health and wider support and subscribed to receive it free by email every half term.
Norfolk SEND Local Offer social media Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
SEND Participation Strategy A plan which sets out how children and young people with SEND can have a say in things which happen in their lives
Appendix 1: Text description of key information shown in charts
Where children and young people with an EHCP are learning in Norfolk The bar chart shows where children and young people with an EHCP are learning in Norfolk in 2022 compared to 2021 and 2020. This year:
- 34% were in mainstream school (down 3%)
- 31% were in special school (up 3%)
- 2% were in elective home education (no change)
- 2% were in alternative provision (down 1%)
- 30% were in further education (no change)
- 0.7% were awaiting provision (no change)
Where children and young people with an EHCP are learning in England The bar chart shows where children and young people with an EHCP are learning in England in 2022 compared to 2021 and 2020. This year:
- 42% were in mainstream school (no change)
- 37% were in special school (down 1%)
- 0.9% were in elective home education (no change)
- 0.8% were in alternative provision (no change)
- 18% were in further education (no change)
- 1% were awaiting provision (no change)
Young people with an EHCP in Norfolk by age range 2021 to 2022 The bar chart showing children and young people with an EHCP in Norfolk by age range. In 2022 there are:
- 318 under-fives (59 more than 2021)
- 2,223 five to 10 year olds (116 more than 2021)
- 2,799 11 to 15 year olds (351 more than 2021)
- 1,966 16 to 19 year olds (70 more than 2021)
- 1,365 20 to 25 year olds (322 more than 2021)
Norfolk SEN primary need breakdown 2020-21 in schools Bar chart showing Norfolk Special Educational Needs primary need breakdown in schools from 2020 to 2021 in Norfolk.
- Social, emotional and mental health (Semh) accounted for 22%
- Speech language and communication needs 19%
- Moderate learning difficulty 17%
- Specific learning difficulty 13%
- Autism spectrum disorder 9%
- Sen support but no specialist assessment of type of need 6%
- Other difficulty/disability 6%
- Physical disability 3%
- Severe learning difficulty 2%
- Visual impairment 1%
- Hearing impairment 1%
- Multi-sensory impairment 0.7%
- Profound and multiple learning difficulty 0.3%