Why are we making changes?
The Local Authority has a statutory duty to keep under review the provision it makes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) whilst also ensuring there are sufficient specialist places available to meet the needs
of the growing SEND population.
Bradford has experienced a significant increase in demand for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision in the last 10 years. It is projected that the demand for SEND provision in Bradford will continue to grow and it has been identified
that additional specialist places across all sectors in the Bradford District are required. This consultation is to share and gather information on the development of further specialist provision places to enhance the current specialist provision offer across
the District.
To maximise the opportunities for expansion and creation of new provision we will keep under review any possibilities of expanding and re-configuring existing spaces to maximise the capital allocation.
In 2019/2020 we proposed to increase the number of specialist places available through a range of services by expanding and developing further specialist provision to enhance the network of Special Schools, Early Years Enhanced Specialist provision (EYESPs),
Resourced Provision places both School and Local authority led in mainstream schools, that are required to meet the current and future needs of children and young people with a range of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
In July 2019 the council; executive approved the development of:
- 34 resourced provision places and
- 40 additional special school places
In addition to the proposals, 215 additional specialist places were also proposed across the academy sector, requiring approval from the Regional Schools Commissioner. The Regional Schools Commissioner approved these in July 2019. This left a further 65
places to be developed. The below proposals are in addition to this.
We are now seeking the views of all stakeholders and interested parties on the development of further additional specialist places to be delivered within the Bradford District.
The Proposal is as follows:
The Local Authority is proposing to increase the number of Special School places for Secondary aged pupils with effect from 24th February 2020 by:
- Expanding Beechcliffe Special School from 144 places to 224 places. To deliver provision on a split site (Ellar Carr Pupil Referral Unit) for children and young people with Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs
Your views are important to us, please take a few minutes to answer our short questionnaire by following the below link:
- Beechcliffe Special School/ Ellar Carr –
https://surveys.bradford.gov.uk/snapwebhost/s.asp?k=157477010934
If you do not have access to the internet or you would prefer a paper copy of this questionnaire or any of the documents, please contact– 01274 438260 or email:
SENDPlacesConsultation@bradford.gov.uk
Consultation documents
If you would like further information about the proposals please refer to the following documents:
- Statutory proposal for prescribed alteration document
- Consultation document
- Maps showing Current and Proposed Provision
- Full list of Consultees
- Consultation Questionnaire
- Equality Impact assessment
- SEN Improvement Test
- SEN Evidence of Need
All of the above documents can be found online by visiting:
https://localoffer.bradford.gov.uk/Content.aspx?mid=589 - Bradford SEND Local offer or
www.bradford.gov.uk/consultations
https://bso.bradford.gov.uk
Consultation Meetings
You can also share your views by attending a public consultation meeting. They are being held on the below dates:
- Either: Monday 9th December 2019 9.30 - 10.30am - Room 104 Margaret McMillan Tower, Bradford, BD1 1NN.
- Or Wednesday 11th December 2019 5.30 - 6.30pm - Margaret McMillan Tower, Bradford, BD1 1NN.
- Or Thursday 19th December 1.00pm - 2.00pm at Keighley Library Annexe - Spencer Street, Keighley, BD21 2BN.
The consultation closes on Thursday, 9th January 2020. All responses must be received by this date.