New SEND Panels coming in April 2021

Our SEND and Inclusion Change Programme is ongoing and as part of the SEND and Inclusion Strategy (Statutory Duty), the Dedicated School Grant (DSG) Recovery Plan identified that better decision making and refreshed guidance is required to ensure more children with EHC plans are supported with appropriate packages in mainstream settings.  

Currently requests are made to WCC and then assessed via the Panel Process to confirm a plan. The SEND and Inclusion Change Programme has identified that there are currently nine panels in place, and these will be reduced to two panels to validate decisions on EHC plans. The objective is to ensure that rather than discussing casework at the Panel meeting, the required decision is already prepared for validation at the Panel. These new panels will help improve educational outcomes for learners in Warwickshire.

The following are the new panels frequencies and their purpose:-

• Statutory Panel – Weekly from 29th April. This panel will ensure a co-ordinated approach towards the request for an Education, Health and Care needs assessment for children and young people with SEND within Warwickshire. It will validate decisions on the drafting of an EHCP and the allocation of financial resources to support the child or young person’s final EHCP.
• High Needs Provision Panel – Fortnightly from 19th April - This panel will validate decisions as to whether requests for additional funding, and/or High-Cost Placements can be approved to support the child or young person’s needs.

Should you wish to ask any further questions, please email sendchange@warwickshire.gov.uk