Agenda item

(To receive a report from Mary Meredith, Service Manager - Inclusion and High Needs Strategy, which updates the Committee on the progress of the Inclusive Lincolnshire Strategy)

The Chairman advised the Committee that this item provided an update on the progress of the Inclusive Lincolnshire Strategy.  The Chairman invited Mary Meredith, Service Manager – Inclusion and High Needs Strategy to present the report.

The Committee was reminded that at the heart of the Strategy was the Lincolnshire Ladder of Behavioural Intervention, which had been designed to support schools in focussing on the underlying drivers of challenging behaviour.  Details of the three main steps were shown on page 113 of the report.

It was noted that the core strategy had developed additional branches which had enriched the offer to schools and families.

It was reported that the Inclusive Lincolnshire Strategy continued to drive down the rate of permanent exclusion from Lincolnshire schools.  This was demonstrated in figure 1 on page 115 of the report.

It was highlighted that whilst the response from the primary sector had been the most emphatic, there had been a significant reduction from secondary schools prior to lockdown.  Figure 2 provided permanent exclusion comparison information for terms 1 to 4.

It was noted that there was a projected unprecedented low rate of permanent exclusion for 2020/21 of 0.06%.  It was noted further that Lincolnshire would be in the lowest band for the first-time ever.

Pages 117 and 118 of the report provided the Committee with up to date information in relation to the progress being made by Lincolnshire in reducing permanent exclusions.  It was reported that the sector was making effective use of resources available through the Lincolnshire Inclusive Strategy and that this could be demonstrated by the number of referral rates.  It was highlighted that BOSS had received some 444 referrals from September 2019 to March 2020; and that 131 training sessions had been delivered within schools over that period.

It was highlighted that the post-lockdown period presented significant challenges and that the most important factor was making sure that children and young people who had experienced the most difficult time out of school did not have that disadvantage compounded through exclusion upon return. 

In conclusion, it was reported that the Inclusive Lincolnshire Strategy would continue to be embedded and strengthened as long as there was close collaboration with the sector and recognition that the work was 'never' complete, it was an on-going campaign.

During discussion, the Committee raised the following points:

·       The positive direction of travel for Lincolnshire in reducing the number of permanent exclusions.  Congratulations were extended by the Committee to the teams involved;

·       What provision was provided for the 63 pupils that had been excluded? The Committee was advised that the pupils would access intervention places at either Springwell, or Build a Future.  The Committee noted further that Springwell had four brand new sites and these were in the following locations: Spalding, Mablethorpe, Grantham and Lincoln.  It was noted that these sites offered a wonderful learning environment to help get the children and young people back into mainstream school.  It was suggested that a small group of Committee members should visit a Springwell site to see the work they were doing with troubled young people, as it was a very positive story.  Members agreed that this would be welcomed and something to look forward to.

The Chairman, on behalf of the Committee extended his thanks to all teams involved in successfully reducing the number of permanent exclusions.

RESOLVED

         That the update on the Inclusive Lincolnshire Strategy be received.