See answers to previous information requests

I am writing to make a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. This request relates to the governance and operation of SEND/ALN decision-making panels within your authority. Please provide:

1. Copies of the current and any previous Terms of Reference (or equivalent governance documents) for all SEND/ALN-related panels, including but not limited to:
o Request to Assess panels
o Placement panels
o Resource / Funding panels
o High Cost panels
o Any multi-agency SEND/ALN panels

2. Where no Terms of Reference are held, please confirm:
o What formal governance documents regulate the panel’s operation
o The specific section(s) of your Scheme of Delegation relied upon
o Whether quorum rules exist and where they are recorded
o Whether voting procedures exist and where they are recorded

3. Please provide:
o The template used to record panel decisions
o The template used for decision letters following panel discussion
o Any written “criteria”, “threshold guidance” or “decision-making framework” used by panels

4. Please confirm:
o Whether cost of provision is considered by panels prior to determining suitability of provision
o Whether parents or young people attend panel meetings
o Whether minutes are formally approved and retained

If any information is withheld, please specify the exemption relied upon and explain why it applies.