Children's Services Management Team sponsor: Pam Robinson, Deputy Director of Children's Services: telephone 01962 847911; email: [email protected]

Contact: Felicity Dickinson, County Services Manager, SEN and Specialist Teacher Advisory Services; telephone: 01962 847996; email: [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

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

1.1.1 Gives approval to undertake consultations with schools, local dioceses and other interested stakeholders on Hampshire County Council's Accessibility Strategy for schools and Special Educational Needs (SEN) Policy: and

1.1.2 Requests that the outcomes of the consultations be reported, later in 2008, to the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education).

2 Reason

2.1 This decision supports the following Hampshire County Council priorities:

"Making Hampshire safer and more secure for all" - by advising on strategies to ensure that school buildings are suitably adapted to make them accessible to children with special educational needs (SEN) and learning difficulties and disabilities (LDD) and by adopting a SEN Policy which set out comprehensive support for these children, including some who are at high risk of engaging in anti-social behaviours.

"Maximising well-being" - by providing a strategy for school accommodation which enables children with SEN and LDD to access the curriculum, sites and buildings and information and which seeks to improve the physical, social and emotional well-being of young people.

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

2.2.1 Being healthy: by providing advice and guidance to improve the physical, social and emotional well-being of young people

2.2.2 Staying safe: by providing a supportive environment and appropriate education for young people with SEN and LDD

2.2.3 Enjoying and achieving: by supporting the provision of effective, full-time education and opportunities, accessible to all, to develop and improve life skills

2.2.4 Making a positive contribution: by supporting the development of appropriate physical, social and emotional skills

2.2.5 Economic well-being: by enabling pupils, who might otherwise have been disadvantaged by their SEN and LDD, to maximise their potential.

3 Other Options considered and rejected:

3.1 This report seeks approval to consult: other options may be identified during the consultation process.

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)