Issue - meetings

(CPP: 2 / CPT: 9, 10, 11, 12)

Purpose:  To seek agreement to the draft accessibility strategy.

Resolved that the draft Accessibility Strategy be approved.

This decision is eligible to be ‘called-in’.  However, if the decision has not been ‘called-in’ by 5.00pm on 29 July 2011, then it will be implemented.

The Executive considered a report (Agenda Item 9) concerning agreement on the draft Accessibility Strategy.

Councillor Irene Neill in introducing the report stated that there was a statutory requirement for all local authorities to publish an Accessibility Strategy showing how they planned to increase access to schools for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and disabilities. This included access to the curriculum as well as to the physical environment.

This Strategy was a review of the previous one and it had been drawn up by a Steering Group which had included representatives from schools, voluntary groups and parents working alongside relevant Council officers.

Councillor Neill advised that the Strategy included wide-ranging information in respect of the prevalence of disability in children living in West Berkshire and to the range of support offered under school action, school action plus or a statement of SEN. It also referred to the Government’s intention, which had been set out in a recent SEN Green Paper, to amalgamate the two school-based categories. It also set out the wide range of provision already available in West Berkshire’s mainstream and special schools for children with all kinds of disabilities. Improvements in access to out of school activities for disabled children were highlighted and particular attention was drawn to the improvements in achievement for children with SEN at Key Stages 2 and 4. Further work would be required to ensure that children with SEN made two, or even three, levels of progress between these key stages.

West Berkshire’s rate of appeals to SEN Tribunals was less than 40% of the national average which showed that there was a high level of satisfaction with the process.

Councillor Neill stated that the Council’s strategic objectives in this area were set out in Section 7 and the Action Plan in Section 8 of the Strategy.

Councillor Alan Macro referred to the Action Plan set out in Section 8 and stated that some of the dates appeared to lack ambition e.g. numbers 8.2.7 and 8.2.9. Councillor Neill responded that it had been felt that any dates should be both realistic and achievable. The Team responsible for this process was small and under a considerable amount of pressure. It was also necessary, in some cases, to wait for funding to become available through the Capital Programme. If the Feasibility Study was undertaken at too early a stage then the costings would inevitably change at a later date.

RESOLVED that the draft Accessibility Strategy be approved.

Reason for the decision: There is a statutory requirement for all Local Authorities to publish an Accessibility Strategy showing how they plan to increase access to schools for children with special educational needs and disabilities. This includes access to the curriculum, access to education and to the physical environment.

Other options considered: Not applicable.