Agenda item

Outreach Services Update

(To receive a report from Mary Meredith (Children's Services Manager - Inclusion), which provides the Schools' Forum with an update on the Outreach Support Service)

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report from Mary Meredith (Children's Service Manager – Inclusion), which provided an update about the Outreach Services commissioned by Lincolnshire County Council on behalf of the Schools' Forum, which comprised of:-

 

·         Outreach for Physical Disabilities – provided by St. Francis Special School;

·         Outreach for Autism and Learning Difficulties – provided by the Working Together Team (Gosberton House, Spalding Schools Federation and Lincolnshire Wolds Federation); and

·         Challenging Behaviour Outreach Support Services – provided by family Action.

 

The Forum was provided with an update against each of the three Services.  In relation to the Lincolnshire Physical Disability Outreach Service, the Forum was advised that the service provided three qualified teachers with expertise in different areas; all had experience of working with the SEN providing educational, practical and specific advice on physical disabilities.  All of the team then liaised with other professionals involved with the pupil; and also signposted them to other services.

 

Overall, the service was well regarded and valued by Schools and pupils.  The Forum noted that the service had constantly been rated 'Good' and the risk rating had been assessed as low, with areas of outstanding practice.

 

In relation to the Autism and Learning Difficulties Outreach Service, the Forum noted that the Working Together Team (WTT) was providing educational support for school aged pupils with special educational needs.  It was highlighted that the service had been nominated for the Accreditation Excellence Award in recognition of a service operating at the very highest of levels.

 

It was reported that since September 2015, 349 Schools/Academies and 1,414 pupils had accessed support from WTT.  7,738 delegates had completed Tier 1 Training Autism Education Trust; 598 at Tier 2; with Tier 3 beginning to be rolled with 11 delegates attending so far.

 

Feedback received from mainstream schools had been very positive and the service had been identified as being an accessible source of practical and sensible advice.  The service since it had commenced had been constantly rated at being 'Good' and 'Outstanding.'

 

The Forum was advised that the Challenging Behaviour Outreach Support Service (BOSS) focussed on early intervention, prevention and support for schools and pupils experiencing behavioural difficulties.  The service was also aimed to support containing the growth of exclusions and high specialist placements.

 

The report highlighted that BOSS provided a bespoke service for all schools in Lincolnshire, strengthening the inclusive approach of schools and building capacity within school settings to manage the social and emotional needs of pupils at risk of exclusion.  Since September 2016, BOSS had worked with 332 cases, providing targeted support to manage the behaviour of individual pupils/students that might result in exclusion. 

 

Data shown on page 71 of the report advised that there had been a dramatic reduction in permanent exclusions from primary settings; whilst the number of exclusions in secondary setting had risen slightly.  It was also highlighted that the number of non-excluding secondary schools had increased significantly during 2016/17 academic year.

 

The Forum noted that the BOSS Restorative Schools Pilot offered a dedicated Restorative Practice Manager for a 12 month period to scope, manage and be responsible for delivering the pilot across 16 schools in Lincolnshire.  It was noted that 88 Restorative Champions had undertaken training, including two 6th form pupils. BOSS had also delivered 75 training sessions to schools about restorative approaches and attachment.  Over 200 teaching staff and lunch time supervisors had accessed the training.  Positive feedback had been received, some of which was detailed on pages 73/74 of the report.  It was noted that the service was continually improved following comments received.

 

Overall, the Forum welcomed the holistic approach and felt that the Forum should receive an annual update.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the Outreach Services Update be noted; and that further update reports be received annually.

Supporting documents:

 

 
 
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