The Isle of Wight is currently signed up to a "Safety Valve" agreement with the Department for Education (DfE). Safety valve agreements are "  written agreements by individual local authorities with the Department for Education, agreeing that the DfE will “bail out” local authorities that have over-spent their high needs budgets. In exchange for this financial assistance, local authorities have agreed to contain their spending on provision for children and young people with SEND, to avoid deficits building up again. (IPSEA)"

This is very concerning as the primary focus of these agreements is about reducing costs which ultimately may lead to a reduction in support for Children and Young People with SEND.  

"In February 2023, the Isle of Wight Council reached an agreement with the DfE covering the financial years from 2022-23 to 2026-27. This agreement provided the opportunity to receive up to £12.69 million of addition funding, subject to the adherence to certain performance criteria. This funding is paid in instalments over the five-year period. All funding available so far, totalling £6.6 million, has been received or the DfE has confirmed that it will be paid. Payment of the remaining amounts, totalling £6.09 million, are subject to future agreement with the DfE. ( IOW Council Scrutiny Committee report, 7th March 2024)"

Whilst extra money is always welcome , the conditions that come with obtaining this extra money are concerning. So much so, that many of the major SEND charities and organisations ( including IPSEA) have written to the DfE to express their concerns. 

Whilst some of the proposals may be positive there are also a number of apprehensions that we have in relation to the conditions that the Isle of Wight LA have agreed to. These include:

1. improve quality of education health care plan annual reviews through training, greater engagement and improved processing; 

2. ensure more robust oversight of decision making during the assessment and co-production of education health and care plans;

3. create an early intervention ‘Primary Behaviour Service’ to replace the primary provision at the Pupil Referral Unit, to reduce the number of permanent exclusions and meet needs earlier;

4. improve the post-16 offer, encouraging take up of supported internships and supported apprenticeships, improving preparation for adulthood outcomes, and reducing demand for High Needs Block funds;

We are currently trying to obtain the "finer details" so we can better understand HOW the Isle of Wight council propose to achieve the above. Despite submitting numerous Freedom of Information Requests, this information has not been forthcoming . We are hopeful that by reaching out and speaking with the LA we can  better understand the actions behind the targets and ensure parent carer voices are heard and included! 

It is important to remember that even with the DfE pushing these safety valve agreements that the LAW HAS NOT CHANGED.

This is why we are fortunate to be able to bring renown SEN Solicitor, Michael Charles, to the Isle of Wight on the 5th July 2024. Michael will be discussing the legal aspects of the Safety Valve agreements. There will be an opportunity for questions and answers. This is a FREE event!

To find out more about the event click here