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
This information is available at:
https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/children-families-and-young-people/send-local-offer/help-learning/education-health-and-care-plan-ehcp/ehcp-decision-making-panels
https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/sites/wokingham/files/2025-02/EHCP%20decision%20making%20panels%20terms%20of%20reference%20version%201%20Feb%202025.pdf

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
N/A as Terms of Reference included above

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
Please see attached documents

4. Please confirm:
o Whether cost of provision is considered by panels prior to determining suitability of provision: Yes in line with legal tests set out in Children and Families Act 2014 and efficient use of resources.
o Whether parents or young people attend panel meetings: No
o Whether minutes are formally approved and retained: No- the decision record attached is the recording.