Improving SEND support in a large County Council by redesigning the SENA operating model, enhancing collaboration, and achieving better outcomes and financial resilience.
Timely, coordinated, effective and well communicated support for children with SEND
CASE STUDY
Timely, coordinated, effective and well communicated support for children with SEND
I think this is really, really good. It helps us get the parental engagement we need and sets us up to get the right outcomes for children. Assistant Director Education, SEND and Commissioning
Ensuring that all children and young people with SEND receive support which matches their needs, in the most inclusive setting possible to maximise their chance of positive educational and social development and long-term independence. Laying the foundations and improving outcomes In partnership with a large County Council, Newton worked alongside internal subject matter experts (including SEN Assessment, EarlyYears, Inclusion Services, and Business Intelligence specialists), parents and families, schools, and former teachers to design and deliver new structures, processes and ways of working that wouldbe adopted across the SENA service and the school system. Throughout the programme we focused on two core strands: 1. Improving the SENA service - laying the foundations The SENA operating model was redesigned to enhance collaboration and efficiency by developing six work streams, restructuring teams around operational functions, creating a resourcing model to manage demand, and aligning key metrics and data for accountability and empowerment. 2. Improving outcomes Alongside laying internal foundations, changes were developed to drive better outcomes for children by introducing tools and new processes to support high-quality decision- making. This included the ‘Needs Descriptors’ tool for consistent understanding of needs,
a tool for Case Managers to improve visibility of consult results, and focused work in Early Years to create guidance for placements and transitions. There was also work to support Autism Outreach and Inclusion services with data driven decisions for timely interventions. To strengthen relationships across the system, the Council engaged with numerous system partners, including schools and early years providers, parents and carers, and used consistent messaging and engagement approaches to improve relationships, confidence and accountability. An Inclusive Practice Toolkit was created to provide information, guidance, and outline common expectations for inclusivity standards for mainstream settings across the County. Setting-specific planning processes were also developed to strengthen relationships with schools, offering high support and challenge to targeted schools and trusts facing higher than average SEND challenges.
THE RESULTS
Improved outcomes One third of children, beyond early years, who would have been supported in specialist are now successfully supported in mainstream. In the 2023/24 academic year, 44 early years children are now better supported in mainstream settings instead of specialist services, compared to baseline projections. 5-week reduction in the average time to complete needs assessments compared to the 2022 baseline. 66% increase in the amount of Y6 phase transfers done before the deadline this year compared to last, up to 218 from 131 in 2023/24.
Improved system collaboration 94% of the surveyed SENA staff agreed that changes in their ways of working will lead to long-term benefits. In the first six-months alone, the Inclusive Practice Toolkit was viewed 4,500 times – indicating that it is a key resource used by partners across the system. In the first two-academic terms post launch, 17 schools or trusts went through the setting-specific planning process, with more keen to follow. Improved financial resilience By increasing the number of children receiving their ideal and most inclusive setting, the programme has resulted in over £21.7m of annualised financial benefit.
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CONTACT US
Steve Knight Partner
E: stephen.knight@newtonimpact.com
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