Agenda item

Inclusive Lincolnshire Strategy - Pupil Reintegration Charge

(To receive a report from John O'Connor, Children's Services Manager, Education Support, which asks the Schools' Forum to agree to the introduction of a pupil reintegration charge for those schools that cannot demonstrate that they have done everything reasonable to prevent an exclusion)  

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report from John O'Connor (Children's Services Manager, Education Support), which asked the Schools' Forum to agree to the principle of introducing of a pupil reintegration charge for those schools that could not demonstrate that they had done everything reasonably possible to prevent an exclusion.  It was highlighted that where schools could demonstrate they had done every possible there would be no charge to the school for the continued education of the individual.

 

It was reported that the Inclusive Lincolnshire Strategy had been adopted and endorsed by the Lincolnshire Learning Partnership.  A copy of the strategy was detailed at Appendix A to the report presented.  The strategy detailed the significant issues within Lincolnshire of the growing number of permanent exclusions from schools.  

 

The Forum was advised that pupils in Lincolnshire were more likely to be excluded than in many other local authority areas and was ranked 135th out of 139 for permanent exclusions from all school types.

 

It was highlighted that the inclusive strategy was dependent on the commitment of all schools.  It was highlighted further that the LA would commission a new Behaviour Outreach Support Service that would operate on two levels for all schools, in addition to running a whole school restorative programme with 20 schools as a pilot.

 

The Forum was advised that there was already a range of services that were currently provided by the Council and other organisations to support specific pupils and their needs. 

 

Reference was also made to Targeted Support; Escalating Need - Intensive Intervention; the eight actions that make up the 'Inclusive Lincolnshire Contract'; and comments made by the Lincolnshire Learning Partnership with regard to the pupil reintegration charge. The three comments raised were detailed within the report presented.

 

It was noted that currently the cost was borne by all schools as a top-slice off the DSG.  The schools that worked to identify and meet pupils' needs, using good practice recognised through the County, would not incur escalating costs associated with exclusions.

 

In conclusion, it was highlighted that there was a need to change the way that the Council supported pupils with challenging behaviour and shift away from specialist and intervention to earlier help and support.   The Forum noted that the Council wanted to ensure that capacity and skills were aligned at all levels, and that the thresholds between each level were clearly understood and implemented.  It was highlighted that the pupil reintegration charge was one of eight measures within the strategy that would help the Council achieve its objectives.

 

During discussion, the following issues were raised by members of the Forum:-

 

·         The Forum was advised that the issue had been discussed at Head Teacher briefings, and that a lot of work had been done surrounding the ladder of intervention. The ladder of intervention was detailed on page 50 of the report presented.  The Forum was advised further that the purpose of the strategy was to introduce consistency across all schools;

·         The circumstances leading up to exclusion; and the policies used by schools.  Particular reference was made to cases where there were no warnings of escalating behaviours, but that there was a single incident i.e. knife threats and drug related issues.  It was highlighted that each school dealt with matters in different ways.  The Forum was advised that a lot of work had been input from Head Teachers; and that the Lincolnshire Learning Partnership was the vehicle to strategically support this strategy and they would work with the LA on associated protocols to address the concerns highlighted by the Forum;

·         Overall, the Forum agreed to the principle, but felt that there needed to be more clarity with regard to how the strategy was to be implemented. A suggestion was made to implement the strategy in September 2016, but not implement the charge until December 2016, and to ask the Learning Partnership to explore associated protocols;

·         The legality of the proposed charge. The Forum was advised that legal advice had been sought and would be taken formally before any changes were implemented; and

·         The Forum highlighted that they thought existing school policies would need modifying and that the governing bodies would require further information.

 

In conclusion, the Forum was advised that the 'Inclusive Lincolnshire' strategy would be underpinned by a set of clear performance indicators which would enable impact and progress to be monitored.  Performance information would then be reported to the Lincolnshire Partnership Board and the Schools' Forum.

 

RESOLVED

 

That agreement in principle be given to the introduction of a pupil reintegration charge for those schools that cannot demonstrate that they have done everything reasonable to prevent an exclusion, subject to further details relating to the ladder and associated protocols being presented to the Lincolnshire Learning Partnership Board.

Supporting documents:

 

 
 
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