Children's Services Management Team sponsor:

Pam Robinson - Deputy Director of Children's Services Telephone: 01962 847991; e-mail: [email protected]

Contact: Eric Smith - Education Officer SEN Telephone: 01962 846245; e-mail: [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That the Executive Member for Children's Services agrees the following:

1. that the Communication Policy forms the basis for the County's strategic development of services and provision for deaf and HI children.

2. that resourced provision for deaf and HI children is developed according to the following criteria:

provision which will be able to offer both auditory/oral and signed modes of communication;

viability of numbers, to maintain security of staffing and, wherever possible, of pupil peer group;

geographical spread and accessibility;

continuity between primary and secondary linked schools;

provision of outreach to children and young people in other schools and settings.

3. that further consultations take place on the proposal to consolidate resourced provision into three school pyramids: in the north, south and west of the County, in accordance with the criteria above; and that information regarding this proposal be widely disseminated.

4. that the outcome of these consultations be reported to the Executive Member in January 2007, together with detailed proposals, if appropriate, for the re-alignment of resourced provision in line with the proposed model.

5. that the County Council's Children's Services Department continues to develop support services for pre-school children and their families, which provide access to comprehensive support and advice services for parents of deaf/HI children and provide communication support to those families in line with the Communication Policy.

2 Reason

2.1 The proposals in this paper support the Corporate Strategy in the following ways:

"Making Hampshire safer and more secure for all" - by helping to ensure that parents are fully involved in decisions regarding provision for their children and are able to support the development of their child's communication skills;

"Maximising well-being" - by securing resourced provision for the future, which nurtures social and emotional well-being as well as maintaining high quality educational provision; and

"Enhancing our quality of place" - through effective support services and a secure pattern of resourced provision.

2.2 The proposals also contribute to the achievement for deaf and HI children of the five outcomes specified in the Children Act; viz.

· Being healthy

· Staying safe

· Enjoying and achieving

· Making a positive contribution

· Economic well-being.

2.3 Recommendations in the report take account of the wide range of views expressed on the proposals and options set out in the consultation paper.

3 Other Options considered and rejected:

3.1 A number of options for the future pattern of resourced provision in mainstream schools were set out in the consultation document, which is attached to the report on the outcome of the consultations. The recommendations in Section 1 above take account of views expressed during the consultation process and summarised in the report.

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

4.1 None

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

5.1 Not applicable.

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

6.1 Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor Felicity Hindson MBE

Executive Lead Member for Children's Services