Contact: Eric Smith, Education Officer SEN; 01962 846245; [email protected] Chris Holt, Education Officer (Primary); 01962 845673; [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

1. That the strategy for SEN provision in the New Forest as set out in the report of the Director of Children's Services (26 October 2005) is approved as the framework within which officers will work with headteachers, governing bodies, parents and other stakeholders to improve and extend the range of SEN provision for children.

2 Reason

This decision supports the following aims of the County Council:

· developing the quality of life in Hampshire, by improving and extending services for children with special educational needs;

· promoting involvement, participation and partnership to achieve the development of strong communities, by encouraging greater partnership working between schools and between children's services and other partner agencies and stakeholders;

· providing high quality services to the public, by supporting measures to increase and extend the skills of staff working with children in the New Forest area.

This decision also supports the aims of the Children Act 2004 by setting a strategy for the extension and improvement of services to vulnerable children.

3 Other Options considered and rejected:

None

4 Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted

None

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee -

None

6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent -

N/A

Approved by: Date:

Councillor D A Kirk

Executive Member for Education