Decision details

The Director of Education & Inclusion Services provided Members with information regarding a proposal for Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Sensory Team within the Access and Inclusion Service to move from a separate and autonomous sensory service to a shared sub-regional, educational advisory service for children and young people with a sensory impairment.  Member were advised that it was proposed that the new sub-regional service would be developed in partnership with the two other Councils from the Cwm Taf Morgannwg region; Bridgend and Merthyr County Borough Council for at least the next three years.

The Director commented that the opportunity would enable the Council to drive forward and improve the way in which current sensory impairment services operate. Regionalising the resources and expertise across the three Councils would enable the Council to realise efficiencies in travel, equipment, training and direct support to families and schools. However, the main driver for the proposal was to provide resilience in the system to meet a growing area of ALN.

The Cabinet Member for education & Incusion services spoke of the independent review previously conducted and the shortfalls highlighted.  The Cabinet Member commented that the proposal before members would address such shortfalls and would provide families, schools and local authority staff with assurance, during a period of significant insecurity, in respect of ALN within the educational sector in Wales.

With the agreement of the Leader County Borough Councillor P Jarman address the Cabinet on this item to which the Leader responded too.

It was RESOLVED:

1.    To note the contents of the report.

2.    To support the proposal developed in partnership with the Education Directors from Rhondda Cynon Taf, Bridgend and Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Councils in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg area, to deliver sub-regional, shared educational advisory services for children and young people with a sensory impairment, for at least the next three years.