Special Educational Needs Best Value Review
The Best Value review of Special Educational Needs Service was undertaken between April, 2002, and May, 2003, and covered educational provision by Clackmannanshire Council for children and young people with special educational needs (SEN) from birth to the ages of 19.
Many aspects of provision in SEN Clackmannanshire had already been reviewed or inspected and these reviews contributed to the Best Value Review. In addition to these reviews, a further, and wide-ranging, stakeholder exercise was undertaken involving a broad range of professionals who work with children with SEN. The various findings were taken into account in preparing the final report and formed the basis of the action plan with which the report concludes.
The review process was delayed by a lack of comparative data on which to base any benchmarking exercise and, more fundamentally, the lack of a consistently applied definition of SEN. However, a study by Audit Scotland collected some data and this was used to provide financial benchmarks. Further information comparing practice and funding levels in Australia was also gathered as part of the follow through on this.
The review report forms the basis on which to review overall SEN on a more regular and ongoing basis. Its production was a hugely worthwhile exercise and one which promoted better understanding of the field across many professionals.
The review panel accepted the significant evidence provided of current good and improving performance, improvement and action points, reflected as arising from external and internal inspection, improvement and review.
They accepted the fundamental point that the council exercises ‘option appraisal’ at the level of the provision allocated to each individual child, and that within the scope of reasonable available options we were offering ‘best value’ and continuing to improve.
They noted the information on apparent differences in cost and other aspects of practice available from Accounts Commission and other material. The data was complex and its basis of collection outwith the council’s control, so it had not been capable of explanation within the context of the review. This has led to the major key ‘best value’ action point which addresses the need for better comparative financial information.
For more information on any of our Best Value reviews, please contact us using the details below.
Contact information
For further information about this page please contact:
Business Improvement & Technology Services
Greenfield House, Tullibody Road, Alloa, FK10 2AD
Tel: 01259 452105 / 450000 Fax: 01259 452200
Email: customerfirst@clacks.gov.uk
Or use the on-line contact form.