Children's Services Management Team sponsor:

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

Contact: Eric Smith - Education Officer SEN: telephone 01962 846245: email: [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

1.2 that the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education):

1.2.1 rescinds the following decisions of the Executive Member for Children's Services

(a) the decisions taken on 15 February 2007 as reproduced in paragraph 3.5 of the report; and

(b) the decision taken on 17 May 2007 as referred to in paragraph 3.7 of the report.

1.2.2 determines that the five criteria adopted by the Executive Member for Children's Services on 12 October 2006 as the basis for the development of resourced provision for deaf/HI children, as set out in paragraph 3.4 of the report, continue to be the aims for the development of this service.

1.2.3 urges all schools with resourced provision for deaf/HI children to be committed to work in co-operation with linked schools (both within local 'pyramids' and other resourced schools) and with officers to contribute to a comprehensive pattern of provision which enables all deaf/HI children to receive appropriate support and education in a maintained school or local pre-school; and to develop in accordance with the five aims providing:

· both auditory/oral and signed modes of communication, according to the needs of pupils and parents' and pupils' preferences;

· 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;

· outreach to children and young people in other schools and settings.

1.2.4 authorises statutory consultations to take place with the governing bodies, staff, parents and other interested parties on detailed proposals for the closure of resourced provision for deaf and HI children at The Westgate School and Woodcot Primary School with effect from August 2009. A report of the outcome of these consultations to be made to the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education).

1.2.5 asks officers to keep under review the pattern of the County Council's provision for deaf and HI children to ensure that the quality of education and support is maintained in Hampshire's provision. Officers should also keep under review the number of children attending non-maintained and independent schools, and the reasons for these placements.

2.1.6 notes and endorses the acknowledgment given by the Children & Young People's Select Committee to Children's Services' officers for their detailed work on these proposals.

2 Reason

2.1 This decision supports the following Hampshire County Council priority:

"Maximising well-being" - by supporting the development and consolidation of resourced provision for deaf and hearing impaired children.

2.2 The decision supports the following Aims of the Children Act:

· Being healthy

· Staying safe

· Enjoying and achieving

· Making a positive contribution

· Economic well-being

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 consultation documents. Proposals have been discussed by the Children & Young People's Select Committee. The recommendations in Section 1 above take account of the views expressed during the consultation and the decision making processes, as 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 None

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

6.1 Not applicable

Approved by: Date:

........................................

Councillor David Kirk

Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education)