Details of Item
Meeting: Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Sub-Committee (County Hall, Durham - Committee Room 1a - 23/12/2002 10:00:00 AM)
Item: A5 Education Behaviour Support Plan
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Scrutiny Sub-Committee for the Development of Lifelong Learning |  |
| Report of Head of Overview and Scrutiny |
Purpose of Report
1. To indicate that a Working Group has considered the recommendations of the former Scrutiny Group which looked at elements of the Education Behaviour Support Plan, to welcome the progress made and to suggest that a further formal review is not required.
Background
2. In 2001, the Local Education Authority’s Behaviour Support Plan was considered by a Scrutiny Group under the Council’s experimental Constitution.
3. The Working Group decided to consider in detail strategies being implemented to address unauthorised and authorised absence from school. In particular, the Working Group considered an innovative programme which had been named ‘Impact’ by the young people involved. This programme catered for pupils in school years 10 and 11 who had significant unauthorised absence from school or who were at risk of exclusion.
4. The recommendations of the Scrutiny Working Group were as follows:-
- i. That any transport provision for the Impact programme should be examined in the on-going work stemming from the transport Best Value Review and the acquisition of mini buses should be considered through funding schemes accessible to the Education and Environment and Technical Services Departments.
ii. That the ratio of fieldworkers to pupils and their families must allow professional development opportunities for those working with young people.
iii. That the inaugural work of the LEA in partnership in involving stakeholders and service delivery is now embedded with Best Value Reviews. The County Council must build on Best Value and ensure systems are in place that allow for stakeholder involvement in all services and Council activities.
Transport
5. Hired mini buses have been introduced to deal with the transport issue. This appeared to have been a successful introduction. Funding had been provided by a successful bid for European Social Fund grant. It was noted, however, that this grant would cease in December 2003 which would create a budget shortfall from January to March 2004.
Fieldworkers
6. Following an external evaluation of the project by the National Foundation for Education Research, fieldworker posts have now been replaced by higher level ‘pupil programme manager’ posts. These posts are responsible for engaging the interests of young people and their families. Staff assess the needs of young people, ensuring that a full-time programme is devised and delivered with appropriate providers and that there is effective communication with parents and schools regarding the progress of young people.
Stakeholder Involvement
7. Systems are now in place which allow for stakeholder involvement in the Impact scheme. An Impact Management Group has been established involving stakeholders which has improved information and communication about the project for parents, carers, schools and other partners involved. The views of users of the service are sought on a regular basis and an annual report is to be produced.
Summary
8. The Working Group welcomed the progress which had been made and congratulated Maureen Clare and her colleagues for this successful project. In discussions, it became clear that a significant reduction in unauthorised absence had been secured. The current performance indicators in relation to permanent exclusion of pupils and the percentage of half-days missed due to absence had all exceeded their latest targets.
9. It was particularly pleasing to note that all 36 secondary schools currently ‘buy in’ to this scheme. In response to questioning, it was explained that the full cost of a place on the scheme was in the region of £7,000. Schools contributed their age weighted pupil unit cost which currently amounts to approximately £2,300. The difference was funded by the European Social Fund Grant. The overall funding for the scheme over two years is in the region of £2m. It was noted with concern, however, that such funding was time-limited and was due to terminate at the end of 2003. This created a budget issue during the year 2003/4 but also a challenge for the authority for future years particularly in the light of the success of this scheme.
10. Bearing in mind the authority’s priority to concentrate on Key Stage 4 attainment in schools, this scheme is clearly an important initiative. It was particularly noted that dealing with excluded or disaffected young people is a challenging task. The success of this scheme should be seen in this context. It was also pleasing to note that the result had been a significant increase in the relevant performance indicators in this area.
11. There was particular concern about the time-limited funding for the scheme. Members of the Working Group realised that a balance had to be struck in any budgeting exercise. The possibility of seeking further funding from schools because of the potential release of resources for schools when challenging pupils are transferred to the Impact programme was discussed as an option. It was noted that the Education Department was considering this option. The general view from the Working Group was that the benefits of this scheme should be drawn to the attention of Cabinet and that the Education Department should be encouraged to seek ways of finding cost-effective funding to continue this initiative. It was recognised that this would be an issue for the new Schools Forum in due course.
12. Whilst there were issues relating to funding which would need to be carefully considered, the specific recommendations made by the Working Group had been delivered and it was decided that a formal review would not be required although the possibility of a report to the Lifelong Learning Sub-Committee about progress in seeking alternative funding was not ruled out.
Recommendations
13. You are recommended to note the positive completion of this Scrutiny project and to monitor the funding issue for the Impact scheme.
| Contact: Ian Mackenzie Tel: 0191 383 3506 |
Attachments
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