SEND Improvement Board Independent Chair's Update from Kathryn Boulton 3 November 2025

Introduction

Hello and welcome to my sixth Chair's Update, as Independent Chair of the Lancashire SEND Improvement Board.

I welcomed everyone to the meeting, noting both those present in the room and those joining online. We acknowledged that it had only been three weeks since our last meeting, which is a shorter interval than usual. This provided an opportunity to reflect on how our governance is working and whether our current meeting structure best supports robust monitoring and deeper thematic discussions.

I invited Olly Moores, our SEND Young Advisor, and Clare Smith, Strategic Lead for Participation and Co-production to give us an update on behalf of POWAR, the SEND youth forum.

POWAR SEND youth forum feedback

Olly shared that POWAR members had reported positive involvement in the recent Head of Service interviews, which provided valuable experience and skill development for young people. The launch of participation training at University of Lancashire was highlighted, with board members invited to attend. The participation team is also expanding, with recruitment underway for an additional worker to increase their reach.

What was said:

Board members are encouraged to attend the participation training and remain engaged with Youth Forum activities.

What we will do:

  • Continue to involve young people in key appointments and support the participation team’s expansion.

Next on the agenda was an update from Michelle Pye and Miranda Hyman, co-chairs of the Lancashire Parent Carer Forum (LPCF).

Lancashire Parent Carer Forum (LPCF) feedback

Parent carers were also involved in the recent interviews and expressed appreciation for being included. The forum has grown, with two new roles filled following successful recruitment.

What was said:

A key issue raised was the lack of clarity and timeliness in communicating outcomes from SEND placement panels, which can leave families waiting anxiously. Panels are held weekly to discuss needs and decision making is made following this.

What we will do:

  • The board will ensure the parent carer forum have clear points of contact for quick responses to urgent questions.
  • The local offer will be updated to clearly outline the panel process, expected timelines, and escalation routes if timescales are not met.

Priority Action Plan highlight report

Vanessa Wilson, ICB Director of Maternity, Children and Young People, shared an update summarising progress against the priority action plan.

What was said:

While there has been an increase in completed milestones, some remain delayed (marked amber or red), particularly around dashboard development, strategy sign-off, joint commissioning, and EHCP team restructuring. Risks include the impact of delayed actions on service delivery and financial pressures.

What we will do:

  • Revised dates for delayed milestones have been agreed and will be closely monitored.
  • The board will maintain oversight of the risk log and ensure that recovery plans are in place for any slippage.
  • A deep dive into governance and partnership working will be scheduled.

Performance and data

Dave Carr, Director of Policy, Commissioning and Children's Health shared an update about the development of the data dashboard, and the different phases.

The data dashboard is currently in the testing phase, with real data expected to be available by January. There have been delays due to the complexity of integrating data from multiple sources.

Cerys Townend, Head of SEND and Inclusion discussed what outcome measures should be included in the performance report.

What was said:

The board discussed the importance of having the right indicators and ensuring robust analysis, not just data collection. Outcomes include themes from tribunals, feedback from families in the SEND survey, case studies and deep dives.

What we will do:

  • Continue to refine the dashboard and ensure all relevant partners are involved in its development.
  • Complete a deep dive at the data workshop / development day later this month to agree decisions.
  • Establish a data performance group to analyse and interpret data and agree on the frequency and content of reporting.
  • The board will receive updates on progress and any issues with data quality or usability.

Quality assurance

Cerys Townend, Head of SEND and Inclusion discussed comparative data on SEN support and EHCP plans, which highlighted variations in quality across different settings. The discussion on comparative data focused on the need for a robust quality assurance framework across the whole system. The Quality Assurance Framework has been developed and is due to be signed off this month.

What was said:

Board members stressed that quality assurance should not be limited to auditing EHCPs. It must also capture family experiences and feedback to ensure a holistic view of quality. Members emphasised the importance of learning from complaints and acting on findings to drive improvement. There was concern that without this, improvements may not reflect lived experiences. Early identification of needs, particularly in the early years was emphasised and that education providers are given the opportunity to discuss these issues.

What we will do:

  • Move to a quarterly reporting cycle for quality assurance, ensuring the framework covers the whole system and includes health and social care perspectives.
  • Actions from complaints and audits will be tracked and reported back to the board.
  • Early years data and outcomes will be considered at the Best Start in Life Board and a group set up to explore in more detail.
  • The newly formed Education Board and Education Strategy (to be approved), will provide education providers with the opportunity to discuss issues about attendance, attainment, exclusions, suspensions.

Children not in school

Cerys Townend, Head of SEND and Inclusion, shared how there has been significant growth in the number of children not in school, including those in elective home education, alternative provision, and those missing education. The thematic review on children not in school recommended several key actions needed to meet their needs.

What was said:

The board discussed the following recommendations to ensure these children receive timely support:

  • need for stronger partnership working,
  • improved data quality and digital solutions for tracking and reporting,
  • increased capacity and resource allocation for quality assurance of provision,
  • specialist teams to be available at point of delivery to support vulnerable learners,
  • a whole-school approach to inclusive practice and provision monitoring,
  • AP commissioning to implement a tiered approach for SEMH needs

What we will do:

  • Add “children not in school” as a risk on the risk register.
  • Develop a clear programme plan with milestones for addressing this issue and bring an update to the board in three months.
  • Strengthen early identification and support and ensure robust monitoring and oversight.

Terms of reference and membership

The terms of reference and board membership were reviewed.

What was said:

While no major changes were proposed, it was agreed that a more in-depth review of governance and membership would be beneficial, particularly to ensure the right people are involved and that the system is working effectively.

What we will do:

  • Agree the current terms of reference in principle, with a commitment to review them following the governance conversation outside the board meeting.
  • Any necessary revisions will be brought back for approval.

Risk register

The risk register was reviewed by the Board as a standing item. The board agreed to add the following to the risk register and the mitigations taken to improve these issues:

  • Children not in school.
  • Social care capacity to complete advices for children not open to them.

Communication

The Independent Chair's update will be written after each board meeting and published on the SEND Improvement Board webpage within 1-2 weeks, before being shared on social media. Formal minutes of the meeting will be written and published after they have been approved at the next board meeting.

A full communications strategy and delivery plan has been developed, which is currently being designed and will be published on the Local Offer soon. Feedback mechanisms for children and young people are being developed by our Strategic Lead for Participation and Co-production.

I hope this update is useful. We next meet as a board on 5 December 2025 for a face to face meeting.

If you are a parent carer and have any thoughts or comments, please contact the PCF Lancashire Parent Carer Forum by emailing secretarylpcf@lancashireparentcarerforum.org.uk

If you have a child / young person interested in POWAR participation group please contact Suliman Hussain at Suliman.hussain@lancashire.gov.uk

If you are a partner, please do feedback through your organisation. Also don’t forget to sign up to our SEND Newsletter if you’re not already receiving it.