We consulted on proposed changes to existing Designated Speech and Language Provision (DSLP) for children with Specific Language Impairments (SLI) in six primary phase schools across the County.
Three proposals were presented:
Proposal 1: Change entry criteria for DSLP settings to cater for children with a wider range of communication & interaction difficulties (including those with autism spectrum disorder)
Proposal 2: Transfer management of the settings to schools
Proposal 3: Where possible cease separate Key Stage 1 & 2 provision – Move to an all-through-primary model.
In total 95 completed questionnaires were received. 59% (56/95) of these were from professionals working in or around the settings or schools. 33% (31/95) were from parents.
There was a high level of opposition to proposals 1 and 2 from parents using the service and some of the staff currently working in or around the DSLP bases
Generally proposal 3 was welcomed as it would minimise disruption for vulnerable learners.
Cabinet agreed to engage in consultation with the governing of bodies of the schools that were hosting the six Designated Speech and Language Provision (DSLP) settings with a view to reaching agreement on the transfer of management of the setting to the respective schools and the widening of entry criteria as soon as possible.
- Two of the six Governing Bodies approved the proposed changes and Cabinet proceeded with the prescribed alterations to the DSLP entry criteria to include children with a wider range of communication & interaction difficulties with effect from September 2017, and proceed with the transfer of control of staffing and day to day operations to the respective governing bodies for the following schools:
These changes have now been implemented and the new C&I Resourced Provisions are operational.
- Four of the six Governing Bodies decided not to proceed with the proposed changes to the provisions and therefore Cabinet approved the phased closure of these settings starting from September 2017, taking a maximum of 3 years. This applied to the following DSLP settings:
None of the children currently attending the bases are impacted, as the phasing would ensure they were able to complete their time in the base prior to closure.
Cabinet approved measures to minimise the impact of these closures through the development of alternative communication and interaction SEN resourced provision in each District.
Feedback from consultation was considered by Cabinet on 12 May 2016.
The full Cabinet report is available here.
Warwickshire Council has been carrying out consultation on proposed changes to existing Designated Speech and Language Provision (DSLP) for children with Specific Language Impairments (SLI) in six primary phase schools across the County.
The consultation started on the 19th January 2016 and was due to finish on the 26th February 2016.
An error in the original consultation paper entitled ‘Proposed changes to Warwickshire’s Designated Speech and Language Provision – Information for Consultation’ has come to light that needs to be corrected. The updated information below provides that correction as well as additional supplementary information to further clarify the proposals. The correction and updated information is included in Attachment 2 below with Attachment 5 providing the draft criteria and admissions process for Warwickshire’s range of specialist provision including the proposed criteria for the redesignated bases.
In order to allow sufficient time for respondents to consider this new information the consultation is being extended to a new finish date of Tuesday the 22nd March 2016.
What are the proposed changes?
This is a short summary of the proposed changes. The full case for change and implications of these are included in the documents attached below.
Proposal 1: Change entry criteria for DSLP settings to cater for children with a wider range of communication & interaction difficulties (including those with autism spectrum disorder)
Proposal 2: Transfer management of the settings to schools
Proposal 3: Where possible cease separate Key Stage 1 & 2 provision – Move to an all-through-primary model
Public Event
An additional public consultation meeting is being held to allow you to ask questions and hear more about the proposals as follows:
Monday 7th March from 5.00 to 6.30pm
Exhall Grange Conference Room
Exhall Grange Specialist School and Science College
Easter Way
Ash Green
Coventry
CV7 9JG
Please confirm your attendance on 024 7636 8813 or via email to: ruthjohnston@warwickshire.gov.uk
This consultation is now closed. Many thanks to everyone who took the time to tell us your views.
Feedback will be presented to Council for a decision as to whether to proceed as well as to the respective Governing Bodies who will meet decide whether they support the proposal for them to take over control of the settings in the light of the results of the consultation. Should we go forward with the proposals, the final decision will be made by the Local Authority.
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