The Council encourages the inclusion, where appropriate, of all pupils with disabilities in mainstream schools. To assist in enabling this it is proposed that a Schools Access Initiative budget is established to fund adaptations and improvements to school buildings to ensure their accessibility to pupils where reasonably practicable. This will improve the educational and social outcomes for children and their families and reduce the requirement for more costly specialist Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision. Works funded by the new budget could include installing hygiene facilities, ramps and making acoustic improvements.
In December 2017 the Council approved an allocation of £30.2m for Schools Basic Need projects in 2018/19. The Cabinet Member for Education and Skills will be asked to approve the reallocation of £500,000 of the approved sum for Basic Need Funding to create a Schools Access Initiative budget.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Expenditure > £500,000;
Decision status: For Determination
Divisions affected: (All Divisions);
Notice of proposed decision first published: 21/08/2018
Decision due: October 2018 by Cabinet Member for Education and Skills
Lead member: Councillor Richard Burrett richard.burrett@westsussex.gov.uk
Contact: Leigh Hunnikin, Project Manager Email: leigh.hunnikin@westsussex.gov.uk Tel: 033 022 23051.
Consultation process
Representations concerning this proposed decision can be made to the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, via the officer contact, by the beginning of the month in which the decision is due to be taken.
Consultees
Headteacher Groups
Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources
Democratic Services Contact: Wendy Saunders Tel: 033 022 22553
Background3: Best Start in Life