At a Glance…
Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) partnered with Peopletoo to support their application, negotiation, and submission process for a Safety Valve (SV) agreement with the Department for Education (DfE). Over 18 months, Peopletoo worked alongside WBC and the local partnership to reshape strategic partnership governance arrangements, deliver improvements required under the Accelerated Progress Plan (APP), and secure and implement their SV programme.
The Challenge
WBC faced a significant financial challenge, with a projected in-year deficit of £16.2m and a cumulative deficit of £77.5m. A robust, deliverable plan was urgently needed to secure DfE confidence. Following Peopletoo’s input, a balanced plan reduced the cumulative deficit to £20m, enabling a £20m funding agreement. Key challenges included:
Our Approach & Delivery
Peopletoo conducted a comprehensive review of partnership working, engaged extensively with stakeholders, and reshaped governance and joint-working structures to ensure alignment with strategic goals. Taking responsibility for APP actions, Peopletoo drove progress across the local authority and its partnership, overseeing all reporting to the DfE and NHS England.
Key activities included modelling unmitigated and mitigated demand and spend, designing impact modelling tools and programme outlines, and developing detailed workstreams and projects. The DSG Plan was also populated and its submission was supported through stakeholder briefings. Implementation efforts focussed on programme mobilisation, governance design, and the introduction of delivery and reporting tools. Additionally, Peopletoo led strategic projects such as the Early Years strategy, local offer development, and post-16 pathways, while providing ongoing strategic advice and engaging with stakeholders to reshape priorities.
Outcomes Achieved
Through the establishment of successful partnership arrangements, significant and measurable improvements were achieved. Requests for assessment saw a 15% reduction compared to the same period the previous year, with conversions to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) decreasing from 68% to 41% in the first six months of the programme. Support for children with EHCPs improved, with 95 plans ceased—exceeding the target of 86—and increased transitions to SEND Support Plans.
The proportion of children with EHCPs supported in mainstream education rose to 51%, surpassing the target of 42%, while the annual increase in EHCPs slowed to 8.4%, compared to 12.3% the prior year and a previous four-year average of 15.8%. Parent and carer confidence in SEND provision improved, as reflected in a 5% reduction in requests for assessment. Additionally, the goals of the APP were fully achieved and evidenced, leading to its resolution with recognition from the DfE.
