SEND Sufficiency Report
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to provide an evaluation of the sufficiency of educational provision for children and young people living in North Lincolnshire with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). It details the current populations and primary needs, articulating the current provision that children access within North Lincolnshire, and highlights where there are pressures on demand for both current and future provision.
This report is intended to inform and guide leadership decision making as well as any potential business cases for future strategic commissioning activity and bids.
The SEND Code of Practice 2015 (paragraph 4.19) states that, Local authorities must keep their educational and training provision and social care provision under review, and this includes the sufficiency of that provision
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About North Lincolnshire
North Lincolnshire has a population of 170,042 which is an increase of 1.5% since 2011, the population is projected to grow by 2% over the next 20 years. Based on the office of national statistics 2022 mid-year population estimates, it is anticipated that 45,300 young people under the age of 25 years are living in North Lincolnshire, of these 37,600 are aged 0-18.
The North Lincolnshire One Family Approach ambition is to support children and young people to be in their families, in their school and in their communities. Whenever possible, children and young people with SEND are supported in their local and/or preferred mainstream school at either school action or in accordance with details outlined in an EHCP. In 2024 just over 40% of the children with an EHCP were attending mainstream schools.
Independent provision locally is used to compliment and/or gap fill local maintained provision, in consultation with parents.
There are several key strategies and plans which relate to SEND and impact on provision. These include:
- The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment
- The SEND and Inclusion Plan 2021-2024
- SEND Strategy
- North Lincolnshire Autism Plan 2022-2026
- Helping Children and Families in North Lincolnshire 2020/24
- Joint Health and Wellbeing Plan 2021-2026
- Alternative Learning Provision Strategy.
Community and education setting based Early Help/SEND Support offer
UNIVERSAL (self help and enablement)
Entitlements across education, health and care
How are SEND needs identified and families enabled?
By settings, schools, professionals and parents - Midwifery, 2½ year developmental check, Primary/Community Health Care (e.g. GPs, Health Visitors), PVI/school assessment/tools (e.g. Graduated Approach, Ordinarily Available in Schools) Adult Universal Provision
Oversight , Monitoring and Decisions
- Early Years SENCO Team
- Health Visiting SEND Key Link
- Education setting monitoring
- Early Years Triage Group
- Primary Health Care monitoring
Targeted (focused and preventative)
Support across education, health and care
How are SEND CYP 0-25 assessed and supported?
- Early Help Plan
- SEND Support Plan
- Provision Planning across a school or setting
- Targeted Secondary Health Care
- Social care e.g. short breaks, preventative vulnerable adult support
- Primary/Secondary/Post 16 – setting monitoring SENCO monitoring and coordination
- Specialist advice and support – education, health and care e.g. ASET, EPs, FaSST, SALT
- Education Inclusion SEND Teachers strategic oversight
- Fair Access and Inclusion Panels (primary and secondary)
- Medical Needs Audit
- QA oversight
Area wide specialist services and support
SPECIALIST (protection)
Support across education, health and care
How are SEND CYP 0-25 assessed and supported?
- Education, Health and Care Plan
- Child in Care Plan
- Child in Need Plan
- Specialist Health Plan e.g. CAMHS
- Continuing Health Care
- Specialist Provision e.g. local / OOA specialist school
- Complex Care arrangements
- Child Development Centre (CDC)
- Social care e.g. short breaks
- Adult social care support
Oversight , Monitoring and Decisions
Primary/Secondary/Post 16 – SEND EHC Plan decisions to assess and assessment outcomes advised via multi-disciplinary/multi-agency SENDAP Some Fair Access and Inclusion Panel involvement (primary and secondary) Preparation for Adulthood Group QA oversight.
Complex Care and exceptional resource decisions made at multiagency Complex Care Panel QA oversight.
SEND and Inclusion Plan 2021-2024
The SEND and Inclusion Plan 2021-2024 is linked very strongly to our North Lincolnshire Children’s Commissioning Strategy 2020-2024 (suite of documents) and to our Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (SEND) 2023.
The plan describes how children and young people with SEND are included within our ‘One Family Approach’ (OFA) to integrated support – ensuring that our children and young people with SEND in North Lincolnshire are enabled and supported to achieve even better outcomes – whilst remaining within their families, schools and communities. It describes how children, young people and their families will build upon their strengths and resilience and be supported by an integrated workforce that is confident and competent.
It also includes how we respond to specific challenges and provides a particular focus upon how we want to ‘shine a light’ on children and young people in receipt of SEND Support. This is to ensure we continue to deliver equity of access and consistency of support – enhancing inclusion and further improving preparation for adulthood.
Overview: Trends in demand for specialist educational provision
Most children with an EHCP on roll at special schools (circa 95%) attend either St Hugh’s School or St Luke’s Primary School.
There is one alternative provision academy in North Lincolnshire (Coritani Academy). A number of the independent schools do also support alternative provision.
Open independent schools located in North Lincolnshire:
- Act Fast (ages 11-25)
- Hera House (ages 5-14)
- Hestia House (ages 12-19)
- Rowan Education (ages 11-16)
- One School Global Campus (ages 7-18)
- Options Barton (ages 5-19)
- Robert Holme Academy (ages 5-11)
- South Park Enterprise College (ages 11-19)
- Teach Lincs (ages 11-16)
- Pledge to Learn (ages 11-16)
Source: Recorded in Capita ONE – April 2025
Children attending mainstream schools
The number of children on roll across the whole primary population is declining year on year, which is in line with the birth rate. In contrast, the whole secondary population has shown a year-on-year increase since 2020.
Number of children on roll in North Lincolnshire Mainstream schools
| Maintained Schools | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | 14,637 | 14,556 | 14,271 | 14,178 | 13,905 | 13,642 |
| Secondary | 9,724 | 10,068 | 10,156 | 10,274 | 10,381 | 10,418 |
Source: Annual school January census, total number on roll
Children attending Special Schools
The number of children attending special primary has fluctuated in recent years, however, there has been a year-on-year increase. There has been a slight decrease in the secondary phase but numbers of children attending Special School in the primary phase have increased significantly
Trent View College, the Post-16 state funded special school, formally opened in September 2023. There are 45 young people on roll as of January 2025, with a capacity of 60
Number of children on roll in North Lincolnshire Special schools
| Special Schools | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | 117 | 125 | 136 | 149 | 168 | 190 |
| Secondary | 173 | 180 | 167 | 173 | 179 | 155 |
Source: Annual school January census, total number on roll
Access to a Specialist Resource Provision
A Specialist Resource Provision (SRP) is a designated area within a mainstream school that offers specialised support and resources for children with an EHCP. This provision aims to cater to the diverse needs of learners, providing them with access to a broad and balanced curriculum while receiving targeted support tailored to their individual requirements. SRP’s promote inclusive practices, fostering an environment where all children can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Our vision for SRP’s in North Lincolnshire is, that it will consist of identified resourced areas within a mainstream school which clearly demonstrates an inclusive ethos with a community focus. The amount of time an individual child or young person spends in mainstream classes will vary depending on individual needs. For some, short amounts of time on a specific activity with support may be appropriate. Others may benefit from participating in one or more areas of the curriculum for increasing periods of time with the longer-term goal to be for the child to be supported to access mainstream full-time and for staff to have the knowledge, skills and confidence to provide this provision.
We currently have four Specialist Resource Provisions in North Lincolnshire. Three primary settings and one in secondary:
- Westcliffe Primary (Hearing Specialist Unit)
- Sir John Nelthorpe (Aspire)
- Brigg Primary School (The Bridge)
- Castledyke Primary School ( Riverview Stepping Stones)
SEND primary need
There are the national average of 35.0% variations compared to national in SEND primary need across populations, particularly in access to special school places.
EHCP
In North Lincolnshire, 27.3% of children with an EHCP had a primary need of speech, language and communication needs. This was higher than the national average of 19.5%
% Children with an EHCP by Primary Need
SEN Support
In North Lincolnshire, 24.3% of children identified with SEN Support had a primary need of social, emotional and mental health, compared to 22.3% nationally. 20.7% of children with SEN Support had a primary need of speech, language and communication needs. This was lower than the national average of 25.6%
% Children identified with SEN Support by Primary Need
SEND primary need – special schools
In Special Schools within North Lincolnshire, 37.4% of children with SEN had a primary need of speech, language and communication needs, compared to 10.6% nationally.
31.8% of children within Special Schools had a primary need of Autistic Spectrum Disorder. This was lower than the national average of 36.4%
% All Children and young people by Primary Need
EHCP Population (Age 0 to 25)
There has been a year-on-year increase in the number of children with an EHCP, both nationally and locally. In January 2025 there was a total of 1,664 children & young people with an EHCP, aged 0 to 25, funded by North Lincolnshire. This was an increase of 210 children compared to the previous year.
| Year | Jan 2020 | Jan 2021 | Jan 2022 | Jan 2023 | Jan 2024 | Jan 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total number of places | 977 | 1059 | 1149 | 1314 | 1454 | 1664 |
| % increase | 0% | 8% | 9% | 14% | 11% | 14% |
Total number of children and young people with an EHCP
EHCP population by age range
% EHCP population by age range
| Under 5 | Age 5 to 10 | Age 11 to 15 | Age 16 to 19 | Age 20 to 25 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Lincs | 5.2% | 31.0% | 36.7% | 25.2% | 1.9% |
| England | 4.6% | 32.7% | 36.4% | 20.1% | 6.2% |
| Yorks and Humber | 4.9% | 32.7% | 36.4% | 20.1% | 6.0% |
| Stats neighbour | 4.2% | 31.9% | 38.1% | 20.4% | 5.4% |
In North Lincolnshire, more children have an EHCP in the early years, and fewer children in the primary phase have an EHCP compared to the England average. 36.7% of children with an EHCP were aged 11 to 15, compared to 36.4% nationally. 25.2% of children & young people with an EHCP were aged 16 to 19, compared to the national average of 20.1%.
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics – Education, Health & Care Plans
Population changes for children with SEND attending North Lincolnshire schools
Alongside national increases in identified SEND needs, North Lincolnshire has had an increase in the numbers of children within the EHCP and SEND Support cohorts attending state funded schools and settings. At the time of the January 2023 school census, the total number of school-age children with SEND, who attend a school within North Lincolnshire is 4,329 (850 EHCP and 3,479 SEN Support). These figures do not include those who are in independent schools or attending alternative provision.
EHCP Population (school-age)
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics – Schools, pupils & their characteristics (January school census)
SEN Support Population
| Year | 2015/16 | 2016/17 | 2017/18 | 2018/19 | 2019/20 | 2020/21 | 2021/22 | 2022/23 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Lincs | 11.3% | 11.2% | 11.4% | 12.6% | 12.8% | 13.3% | 13.1% | 14.0% |
| England | 11.6% | 11.6% | 11.7% | 11.9% | 12.1% | 12.2% | 12.6% | 13.0% |
| Yorks and Humber | 11.6% | 11.6% | 11.9% | 12.2% | 12.4% | 12.4% | 12.9% | 13.5% |
| Stats neighbour | 12.1% | 12.2% | 12.4% | 12.9% | 13.0% | 13.0% | 13.1% | 13.7% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics – Schools, pupils & their characteristics (January school census)
EHCP Placement
% Children and young people with an EHCP by placement type
| Mainstream school | Special school | ALP/PRU | Further Education | Non maintained early years | Educated elsewhere | NEET | Other | Unknown | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Lincs | 40.9 | 32 | 0.6 | 18.8 | 0.2 | 2.5 | 5 | 0.1 | 0 |
| England | 43.3 | 32.3 | 0.8 | 14.6 | 0.8 | 3.7 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 1.2 |
| Yorks and Humber | 43.4 | 29.5 | 1.6 | 15.9 | 0.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 0.5 | 0.9 |
| Stats neighbour | 40 | 34.6 | 0.8 | 14.6 | 0.9 | 4.4 | 2.7 | 0.8 | 1.3 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics – Education, Health & Care Plans
- Our ambition is, wherever possible, for children and young people with SEND to remain in mainstream. Mainstream education will not meet all children’s individual needs, however.
- In North Lincolnshire, a lower proportion of children with an EHCP are in mainstream school compared to national, there has been an increase of 1.5 percentage points on the previous year to 40.9% of children and young people with an EHCP were receiving provision in mainstream schools in January 2024.
- A higher proportion of young people with an EHCP attend further education in North Lincolnshire compared to the England average.
| Establishment type | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total number EHCPs | 929 | 913 | 977 | 1,059 | 1,149 | 1,314 | 1,454 |
| Alternative provision/Pupil referral unit | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Educated elsewhere | 1.4% | 1.8% | 2.0% | 2.0% | 2.1% | 2.6% | 2.5% |
| Further education | 18.1% | 15.6% | 16.1% | 18.6% | 17.7% | 19.6% | 18.8% |
| Mainstream school | 41.0% | 39.5% | 40.5% | 40.0% | 38.0% | 39.4% | 40.9% |
| NEET | 0% | 2.1% | 1.8% | 0.9% | 2.8% | 2.7% | 5.0% |
| Non-maintained early years | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.8% | 0.2% |
| Other | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.1% |
| Special school | 39.5% | 41.0% | 39.5% | 38.3% | 39.4% | 34.4% | 32.0% |
Independent Provision
Due to their individual needs, some children will need to access specialist provision. Independent specialist provision can offer a highly individualised and bespoke programme of education where a child’s needs are such that they cannot be met in a mainstream education setting.
- In North Lincolnshire, 50.8% of children attending independent provision had an EHCP, this was a decrease of 1.5 percentage points from the previous year. Nationally 5.7% of children attending independent provision had an EHCP.
- In North Lincolnshire, 7.1% of children attending independent provision were identified with SEN support, this was a fall of 1.5 percentage points from the previous year. Nationally 16.7% of children attending independent provision were identified with having SEN Support.
Percentage of children attending independent provision – with an EHCP As at January 2024
| Year | 2015/16 | 2016/17 | 2017/18 | 2018/19 | 2019/20 | 2020/21 | 2021/22 | 2022/23 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Lincs | 71.0% | 73.0% | 79.4% | 81.1% | 92.3% | 40.4% | 48.8% | 52.3% | 50.8% |
| England | 2.3% | 2.4% | 2.7% | 2.9% | 3.3% | 3.8% | 4.3% | 4.9% | 5.7% |
| Yorks and Humber | 2.0% | 2.5% | 2.8% | 3.1% | 3.8% | 4.7% | 5.3% | 5.5% | 6.3% |
| Stats neighbour | 7.2% | 9.2% | 9.5% | 11.7% | 25.0% | 28.0% | 26.0% | 28.0% | 29.8% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics – Schools, pupils & their characteristics
Percentage of children attending independent provision – with SEN Support as at January 2024
| Year | 2015/16 | 2016/17 | 2017/18 | 2018/19 | 2019/20 | 2020/21 | 2021/22 | 2022/23 | 2023/24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Lincs | 29.0% | 22.0% | 20.6% | 18.9% | 7.7% | 8.5% | 15.3% | 8.6% | 7.1% |
| England | 11.1% | 11.5% | 12.4% | 12.7% | 13.7% | 14.1% | 14.7% | 15.2% | 16.7% |
| Yorks and Humber | 9.7% | 9.7% | 11.7% | 11.1% | 12.7% | 12.8% | 14.0% | 14.0% | 15.0% |
| Stats neighbour | 12.6% | 12.6% | 11.8% | 16.3% | 14.7% | 14.0% | 16.1% | 12.8% | 12.3% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics – Schools, pupils & their characteristics
Provision within North Lincolnshire
We want children with SEND wherever possible to attend mainstream schools; for some children, mainstream schools will not be able to meet their individual needs. Where this is the case, children may attend state funded special schools or independent specialist provision.
Number of children with SEND – by Sector. Placed at provision within North Lincolnshire
| Sector/school | EHCP | SEN Support | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursery | 16 | 69 | 85 |
| Primary | 399 | 1,994 | 2,393 |
| Secondary | 333 | 1,940 | 2,273 |
| Special | 347 | 1 | 348 |
| Post 16 | 203 | 24 | 228 |
| Alt Provision | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| Independent | 131 | 1 | 132 |
| Other | 192 | 172 | 364 |
| Total | 1,632 | 4,202 | 5,834 |
As recorded in Capita ONE, as at 7th April 2025
Provision outside North Lincolnshire
Number of children with SEND – by Sector. Placed at provision outside North Lincolnshire
| Sector/school | EHCP | SEN Support | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursery | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Primary | 7 | 6 | 13 |
| Secondary | 9 | 4 | 13 |
| Special | 21 | 0 | 21 |
| Post 16 | 30 | 2 | 32 |
| Alt Provision | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Independent | 42 | 2 | 44 |
| Other | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Total | 110 | 18 | 128 |
As recorded in Capita ONE, as at 7th April 2025
Whilst mainstream is the best option for the majority of children, some children will need a highly bespoke education and/or care offer provided through a high-quality specialist provision.
Whist the cost of independent may be high, local or state funded provision may not be available which can meet some children’s individual needs. We support children to stay local wherever possible but for a few children, this may be out of area.
Day placements – North Lincolnshire
| 2020-21 | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £37,617 | £35,958 | £40,351 | £43,096 |
Day placements – Out of County
| 2020-21 | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £35,403 | £34,090 | £36,975 | £45,555 |
Residential – North Lincolnshire
| 2020-21 | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £288,508 | £288,508 | £289,055 | £242,393 |
Residential – Out of County
| 2020-21 | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £157,927 | £122,741 | £153,608 | £148,420 |
Primary Need
As an area partnership, the Council schools and health are committed to our One Family Approach, of children thriving in their families, achieving in their schools and flourishing in their communities. Where children need to access independent and specialist education provision, we work together to support local solutions wherever possible.
| Sector/school | EHCP | SEN Support | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alt Provision | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| Coritani Academy | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| The Hub School | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Independent | 173 | 3 | 176 |
| Act F.A.S.T | 22 | 0 | 22 |
| Cambian Beverley School | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Castles Futures (Gainsborough School) | 17 | 0 | 17 |
| Demeter House | 33 | 0 | 33 |
| Doncaster Communication College | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Falcons Learning | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| Hall Cliffe School | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Hera House | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| Hestia School | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Hill House School | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Kisimul School | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Lincoln Minster School | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Nisai House Stoke | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Options Barton | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| Robert Holme Academy | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Rowan Education CIC | 19 | 0 | 19 |
| Solutions Pledge 2 Learn | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| South Park Enterprise College | 11 | 1 | 12 |
| St. James School | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| The Orchard School | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Young People's Learning Provision (YPLP) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 185 | 3 | 188 |
Children by Primary Need
Number of children in Specialist provision – by Primary Need
Number of children awaiting SEN placement – by Primary Need
As recorded in Capita ONE, as at 7th April 2025
By locality, it can be seen that more children with an EHCP attend a school in Scunthorpe South. This is in part determined by population size, but more significantly, it is determined by the location of the two state-funded special schools, both of which are in Scunthorpe South.
% Children on roll by Locality
| Phase | Barton & District | Brigg & District | Isle | Scunthorpe North | Scunthorpe South | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary % EHCP | 3.3% | 2.4% | 3.3% | 2.0% | 2.8% | 2.8% |
| Primary % SEN Support | 15.2% | 13.0% | 15.4% | 15.1% | 14.2% | 14.5% |
| Secondary % EHCP | 3.2% | 3.5% | 4.4% | 2.3% | 2.8% | 3.1% |
| Secondary % SEN Support | 17.2% | 15.4% | 14.1% | 16.6% | 14.4% | 15.4% |
| Special % EHCP | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 99.7% | 99.7% |
| Special % SEN Support | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| % EHCP | 3.3% | 3.0% | 3.8% | 2.1% | 7.1% | 4.5% |
| % SEN Support | 16.0% | 14.2% | 14.8% | 15.8% | 13.7% | 14.6% |
Source: Annual school census as at January 2025
Children and young people with an EHCP (within mainstream)
| Locality | Primary Need | Primary | Secondary | Total | % of Locality Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barton & District |
ASD Other SEMH SLC |
41 37 22 14 |
19 3 25 11 |
60 40 47 25 |
35 23 27 14 |
| Brigg & District |
ASD Other SEMH SLC |
23 13 13 19 |
10 9 27 16 |
33 22 40 35 |
25 17 31 27 |
| Isle |
ASD Other SEMH SLC |
27 28 15 22 |
12 16 22 16 |
39 44 37 38 |
25 28 23 24 |
| Scunthorpe North |
ASD Other SEMH SLC |
21 21 11 30 |
10 13 16 25 |
31 34 27 55 |
21 23 18 37 |
| Scunthorpe South |
ASD Other SEMH SLC |
66 46 44 62 |
22 20 52 9 |
88 66 96 71 |
27 21 30 22 |
Breakdown of top-up funding for SEND places in mainstream schools
Scunthorpe North locality total sufficiency funding spend £420,940.61
Scunthorpe South locality total sufficiency funding spend £935,330.28
Isle locality total sufficiency funding spend £323,988.89
Barton locality total sufficiency funding spend £467,501.82
Brigg locality total sufficiency funding spend £276,653.68
Primary and Secondary Academy Total £980,465.87
Maintained Secondary Total £332,904.28
Maintained Primary Total £1,140,722.42
Identified Sufficiency Pressures
The Department for Education requires all local authorities to assess the sufficiency of places in schools to meet basic needs for all children (SCAP return). In 2023, the Department asked local authorities to complete a SCAP for SEND, this and the following information are extracts from the return.
Overview
There is only one school, Westcliffe with resourced provision in North Lincolnshire. The provision is for primary age hearing impairment.
There are no secondary SEN units/resourced provision in North Lincolnshire.
Actions (current and planned)
Consideration will be given to formally establishing further resourced provision/SEN units to meet demand for SEMH places.
Consideration will be given to establishing further resourced provision/SEN units to meet demand for SEMH places, particularly in respect of formalising the Study Hubs.
Overview
- There are very few primary EHCP places at independent schools. 11 of the 18 KS2 places in 2023 were at the local school Demeter House who support young people with emotional, behavioural and associated learning difficulties, particularly students with autistic spectrum disorders.
- The recent outcomes of Ofsted inspections at some independent providers will require further challenge and support to ensure high quality places are offered to young people.
- In 2023 most of the places were at local provision – 70 of 105 places. Most of the places (89 of 105) at independent schools were in four schools: Demeter House – 37 places; Castles Education – 22 places; South Park Enterprise College – 17 places; and Act Fast – 13 places. Three of these schools are in North Lincolnshire, the fourth Castles Education is in the town of Gainsborough located just south of North Lincolnshire. All four of these establishments have been judged as requires improvement/inadequate in the last academic year.
- The recent outcomes of Ofsted inspections at independent schools will require further challenge and support to ensure high quality places are offered to young people.
Actions (current and planned)
Consideration will be given to establishing further resourced provision/SEN units to meet demand for SEMH places, particularly in respect of formalising the Study Hubs.
Continue to commission places at high quality independent schools where they can meet the needs of the young people.
Continue to minimise the cost of placements by always considering available suitable spaces at maintained settings first.
Overview
Most of the primary provision is local – 165 of the 178 places in 2023 were at St Luke's.
Actions (current and planned)
Continue to expand local provision, wherever possible and sustainable, to meet demand for places. Utilise places in neighbouring authorities to provide continuity of provision (i.e. when families move house) and minimise travel time/costs.
Keep under review all out of county provision and consider if local provision can meet their needs at EHCP annual review and/ or key stage transition points.
Overview
There is only one AP academy in North Lincolnshire, Coritani (1105), with an age range of 7-19. The authority worked with the Academy to relocate to bigger premises and change the age range to include primary in 2020.
Local alternative provision was also provided by the independent sector such as Flourish With Us that closed in June 2023.
There is only one AP academy in North Lincolnshire, Coritani, with an age range of 7-19. The authority worked with the Academy to relocate to bigger premises and change the age range to include primary in 2020.
Local alternative provision is also provided by the independent sector such as Act Fast and South Park Enterprise College.
Actions (current and planned)
North Lincolnshire is in the process of establishing a primary equivalent to the study hubs already established in the secondary sector. This is aimed at keeping young people at mainstream schools and preventing exclusion.
The Nest at Scunthorpe CE (3071) does provide short term support for a range of needs including behaviour, with the aim of children returning to their substantive school.
North Lincolnshire has (and is continuing to) supported the introduction of study hubs within mainstream settings. This is aimed at keeping young people at mainstream schools and preventing exclusion.
The gap in local provision is for SEMH places for young people with average or above average cognitive ability. Social emotional and mental health needs (SEMH) is the predominant primary need for those awaiting an SEN placement. This was also identified in the 2021 joint local area SEND inspection by Ofsted. The extracts above are specific pressures that require actions to address impacts, over and above the general LA level pressure on places.
Local Developments
Study Hubs
Schools and the Local Authority continue to seek to identify new and innovative ways to reduce suspension rates and prevent the need for young people to be accessing external alternative provision. The use of School Study Hubs has meant that those most vulnerable to SEND have better access to the school curriculum to support longer term outcomes. In collaboration with the local authority, 4 secondary schools have successfully implemented School Study Hubs. There are further Study Hubs in the planning stage both in primary and secondary education. Study Hubs enable children to remain in mainstream education, whilst having their SEND needs met without the need for expensive specialist provision
School Study Hubs have been utilised to support young people with SEMH needs who may need some additional support in a smaller environment in order to prevent need escalating. The Hubs have been successful in helping to prevent the need for an EHCP, support young people who may be in the process of requesting and being assessed for an EHCP and for some young people who may already have an EHCP but require some additional support for a period of time. These Hubs also offer support and placement opportunities to other secondary schools in the localities. They hold several places for use by the Local Authority which may consider the use of these placements for young people who may be in receipt of a permanent exclusion. Hubs support re-integration to mainstream schools for those young people who may require a period of additional support before access to full time school placements whilst ensuring access to national curriculum subjects.
Study Hubs can help to prevent the need for an EHCP, providing smaller learning environments and support for young people who may be in the process of requesting and being assessed for an EHCP and for some young people who may already have an EHCP but require some additional support for a period of time.
Specialist Resource Provision
Building on the success of the Study Hubs, the local authority continues to explore ways to enhance SEND capacity in mainstream schools and promote inclusive practice. Resource Based Provision is an approach offered by the Department for Education and a key element in our forward plan.
Attached to a mainstream school and providing specialist therapeutic input and support for specific SEND needs, pupils access a bespoke curriculum and support offer from the resource provision whilst also accessing elements within the mainstream school.
A number of schools are working with the local authority to consider implementation of a Specialist Resource Provision for children who would have had their education needs met in independent provision. Similar to the Study Hubs, a robust bidding and evaluation approach will determine where these are awarded.
Trent View College
With its first cohort of students starting in September 2023, the college offers a highly personalised offer of specialist education for young people aged 16-19 with SEND. Those in the 6th form at St Hugh’s transferred to the new school alongside students who started their next phase of their education in September.
Complex Care Campus
The building phase of Tree Tops is complete, and the campus is due to open soon. The home will offer bespoke overnight short breaks, residential and transitional provision. The campus compliments the local developments in special school provision to enable young people to stay local.
Children, young people, parents and carers have been involved in the design and the development and naming of the campus. When open, there will be:
- a 3-bedroom, long-term home
- a 6-bedroom, short breaks home
- a 3-bedroom, preparation for adulthood home
- a family facility that can support end of life care as a continuum of a young person's care package.
Developments
SEND exceptional funding
Whist some children need a more specialist offer, we believe most children should remain in mainstream wherever possible. In consultation with Parent Forum, through SEND round table events with parents, schools and professionals, we have developed a new and robust process for schools to apply for exceptional funding for children/young people with/ undergoing assessment for an EHCP.
Exceptional funding guidance for and process schools/colleges articulates expectations of what information and criteria are needed together with how the funding will be used. It is a short-term High Needs funding allocation which can enable a temporary uplift in financial support to allow the school to support the child/young person to remain in their mainstream setting, for example by:
- Adapting/acquiring resources and/or facilities.
- Purchasing technology to support.
- Securing therapeutic input.
- Providing additional staffing support.
- Undertaking specific and targeted intervention programmes.
Ongoing areas for further consideration and development
As a partnership, we are committed to listening, learning, reviewing and adapting to continue to further improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND and their families.
- Our areas of development in relation to SEND sufficiency are
- Developing Specialist Resource Provisions
- Considering the development of satellite classrooms with our special schools
- Investing SEND capital funding to address sufficiency pressures where needed
- Continuing to broker and commission high quality provision in the independent specialist sector, including alternative provision
- Continuing to invest in the quality of local independent and state funded provision for children with SEND.