Portsmouth City Borough Council
Councillors:
42
Wards:
14
Committees:
37
Meetings (2026):
11
Meetings (2025):
117
Meeting
Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education - Portsmouth City
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Tuesday, 22nd July 2025
4:00 PM
Tuesday, 22nd July 2025
4:00 PM
End:
Tuesday, 22nd July 2025
8:00 PM
Tuesday, 22nd July 2025
8:00 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
22 Jul 2025
22 Jul 2025
Location:
Council Chamber - The Guildhall, Portsmouth
Council Chamber - The Guildhall, Portsmouth
Meeting Attendees
Committee Member
Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education
Opposition spokesperson
Deputy Group Leader
Agenda
1
Apologies
Minutes
There were no apologies for absence.
2
Declarations of Members' Interests
Minutes
There were no declarations of interest.
3
Exclusion of Press and Public
Exclusion of Press and Public
“That, under the provisions of Section 100A of the Local Government Act, 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act, 1985, the press and public be excluded for the consideration of the following item on the grounds that the report(s) contain information defined as exempt in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972”.
The public interest in maintaining the exemption must outweigh the public interest in disclosing the information.
Under the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) England Regulations 2012, regulation 5, the reasons for exemption of the listed item is shown below.
Members of the public may make representation as to why the item should be held in open session. A statement of the Council’s response to representations received will be given at the meeting so that this can be taken into account when members decide whether or not to deal with the item under exempt business.
(NB The exempt/confidential committee papers on the agenda will contain information which is commercially, legally or personally sensitive and should not be divulged to third parties. Members are reminded of standing order restrictions on the disclosure of exempt information and are invited to return their exempt documentation to the Local Democracy Officer at the conclusion of the meeting for shredding.)
Item
Paragraph
Special Guardianship Order Procedures and Financial Policy
Appendix C
Retrospective complaints
Appendix C - Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).
“That, under the provisions of Section 100A of the Local Government Act, 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act, 1985, the press and public be excluded for the consideration of the following item on the grounds that the report(s) contain information defined as exempt in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972”.
The public interest in maintaining the exemption must outweigh the public interest in disclosing the information.
Under the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) England Regulations 2012, regulation 5, the reasons for exemption of the listed item is shown below.
Members of the public may make representation as to why the item should be held in open session. A statement of the Council’s response to representations received will be given at the meeting so that this can be taken into account when members decide whether or not to deal with the item under exempt business.
(NB The exempt/confidential committee papers on the agenda will contain information which is commercially, legally or personally sensitive and should not be divulged to third parties. Members are reminded of standing order restrictions on the disclosure of exempt information and are invited to return their exempt documentation to the Local Democracy Officer at the conclusion of the meeting for shredding.)
Item
Paragraph
Special Guardianship Order Procedures and Financial Policy
Appendix C
Retrospective complaints
Appendix C - Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).
Minutes
Members agreed to remain in open session but not to refer to the exempt information.
DECISION
The confidentiality of Appendix C only, relating to commercial matters, was upheld.
DECISION
The confidentiality of Appendix C only, relating to commercial matters, was upheld.
4
Special Guardianship Order Procedures and Financial Policy
Purpose
To inform the Cabinet Member of a change to the Special Guardianship Order Procedures and Financial Policy as seen in Appendix A.
RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member approve the change to the Special Guardianship Order Procedures and Financial Policy, specifically to disregard Child Benefit income in financial means testing, with effect of 1 April 2025.
To inform the Cabinet Member of a change to the Special Guardianship Order Procedures and Financial Policy as seen in Appendix A.
RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member approve the change to the Special Guardianship Order Procedures and Financial Policy, specifically to disregard Child Benefit income in financial means testing, with effect of 1 April 2025.
Attachments:
- Document Special Guardianship Order Policy Procedures and Financial Policy 14 Jul 2025
- Document Appendix A - Special Guardianship Order Policy 14 Jul 2025
- Document Appendix B - Integrated Impact Assessment 14 Jul 2025
Minutes
Sam Busby, Deputy Director, Children & Families, introduced the report on behalf of Mark Jowett, Head of Children We Care For.
In response to questions from members, officers said that although they did not know exactly which neighbouring local authorities applied the policy of disregarding Child Benefit when means testing income, there was growing awareness of the issue across the region. Other authorities realised the risk of judicial review. Regarding the financial implications of complaints being upheld, the Ombudsman could say the council needed to make a payment although it would not usually be a significant amount. However, if a case went to judicial review the amounts could be more significant. Members thought the proposal made sense.
Councillor Dorrington thanked officers for the report. It was a testament to the council that it reviewed all its policies to ensure that they were fair to residents and best practice.
The Cabinet Member approved the change to the Special Guardianship Order Procedures and Financial Policy, specifically to disregard Child Benefit income in financial means testing, with effect of 1 April 2025.
In response to questions from members, officers said that although they did not know exactly which neighbouring local authorities applied the policy of disregarding Child Benefit when means testing income, there was growing awareness of the issue across the region. Other authorities realised the risk of judicial review. Regarding the financial implications of complaints being upheld, the Ombudsman could say the council needed to make a payment although it would not usually be a significant amount. However, if a case went to judicial review the amounts could be more significant. Members thought the proposal made sense.
Councillor Dorrington thanked officers for the report. It was a testament to the council that it reviewed all its policies to ensure that they were fair to residents and best practice.
The Cabinet Member approved the change to the Special Guardianship Order Procedures and Financial Policy, specifically to disregard Child Benefit income in financial means testing, with effect of 1 April 2025.
5
Early Years High Needs Funding
Purpose
1. To update the Cabinet Member on the work that has been undertaken since the workshop that was held on 4 March 2025 to support early years settings to meet the needs of children with special educational needs and / or disabilities (SEND) and the growing complexity of SEND, whilst at the same time managing the pressures on the High Needs Block of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) in the most effective way.
2. The report sets out the case for a new model of funding and changes to SEND Inclusion Fund (SENDIF) Emerging (Early Years Block), SENDIF+ (High Needs Block) and a new hourly rate for complex SEND in order to establish an Early Years Inclusion Centre (High Needs Block). The new model was endorsed by Schools Forum Members on 16 July 2025. /
RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member approves the principles of a new model of funding for early years SEND provision based on the following three components:
1. Changes to the SENDIF Emerging Fund as set out in paragraph 4.2 to be implemented from 1 September 2025.
2. An increase to the hourly rate for SENDIF+ based on the changes set out in paragraph 4.3 to be implemented from 1 September 2025.
3. A new hourly rate for a specialist Early Years Inclusion Centre to support children with the most complex SEND, the details of which are set out in paragraphs 4.4 to 4.5 and in Appendices A and B to be implemented as soon as practically possible subject to an assessment of expressions of interest from providers.
1. To update the Cabinet Member on the work that has been undertaken since the workshop that was held on 4 March 2025 to support early years settings to meet the needs of children with special educational needs and / or disabilities (SEND) and the growing complexity of SEND, whilst at the same time managing the pressures on the High Needs Block of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) in the most effective way.
2. The report sets out the case for a new model of funding and changes to SEND Inclusion Fund (SENDIF) Emerging (Early Years Block), SENDIF+ (High Needs Block) and a new hourly rate for complex SEND in order to establish an Early Years Inclusion Centre (High Needs Block). The new model was endorsed by Schools Forum Members on 16 July 2025. /
RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member approves the principles of a new model of funding for early years SEND provision based on the following three components:
1. Changes to the SENDIF Emerging Fund as set out in paragraph 4.2 to be implemented from 1 September 2025.
2. An increase to the hourly rate for SENDIF+ based on the changes set out in paragraph 4.3 to be implemented from 1 September 2025.
3. A new hourly rate for a specialist Early Years Inclusion Centre to support children with the most complex SEND, the details of which are set out in paragraphs 4.4 to 4.5 and in Appendices A and B to be implemented as soon as practically possible subject to an assessment of expressions of interest from providers.
Attachments:
- Document Early Years High Needs funding 14 Jul 2025
Minutes
Lamara Fudge made a deputation in favour of the report. Deputations are not minuted but can be viewed on the webcast on the council's website
Agenda for Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education on Tuesday, 22nd July, 2025, 4.00 pm Portsmouth City Council
Mike Stoneman, Deputy Director, Education, introduced the report, which set out the case for a new model of funding in early years to support children with SEND and emerging SEND whilst at the same aiming to reduce pressures on the High Needs Block of the Dedicated Schools Grant. The proposals had been previously endorsed by Schools Forum on 16 July. There was no specialist nursery provision for children with the most complex SEND in the city and it was now desperately needed.
Mr Stoneman drew attention to an amendment to Appendix A to reflect that existing resources would be used to support the proposed Inclusion Centre. The following wording would replace the current wording in Section 8 (Additional support for the Inclusion Centre):
"A range of additional support will be provided to support the Early Years (EY) Inclusion Centre. This will include:
The EY Inclusion Team will support practitioners in the centre by offering bespoke training, ongoing support and advice and prioritise completion of EHCP support for the centre. Practitioners at the EY Inclusion Centre will be prioritised for training places that are offered by the Early Years Inclusion Team. Support from the LISO SEN Transition EYAT will be in place to support transition into mainstream schools, if allocated. Continued support from Specialist Health Visiting Team as the children at the Early Years Inclusion Centre will be known to their service. Close links with Family Hubs to ensure support is available for families because the challenges for families are amplified when supporting a child with SEND."
The aim was to reduce the number of Education, Health & Care Plans arising from the early years sector by shifting the balance to earlier intervention. Further modelling was needed to determine hourly rates for SENDIF+ and the Inclusion Centre. Hopefully, this would conclude in a couple of weeks and rates would be taken to the Directorate's Finance & Governance Board on 27 August for approval.
In response to questions from members, the timeframe would be at least a year to see if the Inclusion Centre needed to be expanded or a second one established. It was originally going to open in September but was now expected to open well into the autumn term or possibly on 1 January, depending on expressions of interest received from providers and affordability.
Members said it was great to see more focus on early intervention and looked forward to seeing in the autumn what the government's proposals were for SEND. There was currently not enough provision for early years, infant and primary children and the proposals would give them the equal opportunity to have a really good education. Councillor Coles offered to send officers the notes from a Local Government Association seminar he had attended on school standards.
Councillor Dorrington commended the work officers were doing as it was really important that the council invested early on in children so there were fewer issues in later life.
The Cabinet Member approved the principles of a new model of funding for early years SEND provision based on the following three components:
1. Changes to the SENDIF Emerging Fund as set out in paragraph 4.2 to be implemented from 1 September 2025.
2. An increase to the hourly rate for SENDIF+ based on the changes set out in paragraph 4.3 to be implemented from 1 September 2025.
3. A new hourly rate for a specialist Early Years Inclusion Centre to support children with the most complex SEND, the details of which are set out in paragraphs 4.4 to 4.5 and in Appendices A and B to be implemented as soon as practically possible subject to an assessment of expressions of interest from providers.
Agenda for Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education on Tuesday, 22nd July, 2025, 4.00 pm Portsmouth City Council
Mike Stoneman, Deputy Director, Education, introduced the report, which set out the case for a new model of funding in early years to support children with SEND and emerging SEND whilst at the same aiming to reduce pressures on the High Needs Block of the Dedicated Schools Grant. The proposals had been previously endorsed by Schools Forum on 16 July. There was no specialist nursery provision for children with the most complex SEND in the city and it was now desperately needed.
Mr Stoneman drew attention to an amendment to Appendix A to reflect that existing resources would be used to support the proposed Inclusion Centre. The following wording would replace the current wording in Section 8 (Additional support for the Inclusion Centre):
"A range of additional support will be provided to support the Early Years (EY) Inclusion Centre. This will include:
The EY Inclusion Team will support practitioners in the centre by offering bespoke training, ongoing support and advice and prioritise completion of EHCP support for the centre. Practitioners at the EY Inclusion Centre will be prioritised for training places that are offered by the Early Years Inclusion Team. Support from the LISO SEN Transition EYAT will be in place to support transition into mainstream schools, if allocated. Continued support from Specialist Health Visiting Team as the children at the Early Years Inclusion Centre will be known to their service. Close links with Family Hubs to ensure support is available for families because the challenges for families are amplified when supporting a child with SEND."
The aim was to reduce the number of Education, Health & Care Plans arising from the early years sector by shifting the balance to earlier intervention. Further modelling was needed to determine hourly rates for SENDIF+ and the Inclusion Centre. Hopefully, this would conclude in a couple of weeks and rates would be taken to the Directorate's Finance & Governance Board on 27 August for approval.
In response to questions from members, the timeframe would be at least a year to see if the Inclusion Centre needed to be expanded or a second one established. It was originally going to open in September but was now expected to open well into the autumn term or possibly on 1 January, depending on expressions of interest received from providers and affordability.
Members said it was great to see more focus on early intervention and looked forward to seeing in the autumn what the government's proposals were for SEND. There was currently not enough provision for early years, infant and primary children and the proposals would give them the equal opportunity to have a really good education. Councillor Coles offered to send officers the notes from a Local Government Association seminar he had attended on school standards.
Councillor Dorrington commended the work officers were doing as it was really important that the council invested early on in children so there were fewer issues in later life.
The Cabinet Member approved the principles of a new model of funding for early years SEND provision based on the following three components:
1. Changes to the SENDIF Emerging Fund as set out in paragraph 4.2 to be implemented from 1 September 2025.
2. An increase to the hourly rate for SENDIF+ based on the changes set out in paragraph 4.3 to be implemented from 1 September 2025.
3. A new hourly rate for a specialist Early Years Inclusion Centre to support children with the most complex SEND, the details of which are set out in paragraphs 4.4 to 4.5 and in Appendices A and B to be implemented as soon as practically possible subject to an assessment of expressions of interest from providers.
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