Cofnod Datgeliadau

Cwestiwn

This request relates to the governance and operation of SEND/ALN decision-making panels within your authority.

Please provide:

1. Copies of the current and any previous Terms of Reference (or equivalent governance documents) for all SEND/ALN-related panels, including but not limited to:

Request to Assess panels

Placement panels

Resource / Funding panels

High Cost panels

Any multi-agency SEND/ALN panels

2. Where no Terms of Reference are held, please confirm:

What formal governance documents regulate the panel’s operation

The specific section(s) of your Scheme of Delegation relied upon

Whether quorum rules exist and where they are recorded

Whether voting procedures exist and where they are recorded

3. Please provide:

The template used to record panel decisions

The template used for decision letters following panel discussion

Any written “criteria”, “threshold guidance” or “decision-making framework” used by panels

4. Please confirm:

Whether cost of provision is considered by panels prior to determining suitability of provision

Whether parents or young people attend panel meetings

Whether minutes are formally approved and retained

Ateb

Please provide:

1. Copies of the current and any previous Terms of Reference (or equivalent governance documents) for all SEND/ALN-related panels

Please see attached - FOI 11968 Q1

2. Where no Terms of Reference are held, please confirm N/A

3. Please provide:

o The template used to record panel decisions – Please see attached - FOI 11968 Q3a

o The template used for decision letters following panel discussion – Please see attached - FOI 11968 Q3b

o Any written “criteria”, “threshold guidance” or “decision-making framework” used by panels – The ALN Code is our decision-making framework, which is true for all the statutory decisions

4. Please confirm:

o Whether cost of provision is considered by panels prior to determining suitability of provision - No, cost of provision isn’t considered by panel prior to determining suitability of [a type of] provision. As an LA we have to ensure efficient use of Council resources but that does not influence the decision on the type of provision considered appropriate but will be considered when determining one provider vs another.

o Whether parents or young people attend panel meetings - No

o Whether minutes are formally approved and retained - Yes, minutes are formally approved and retained