Agenda item

(To receive a report by Jonas Gibson, Commissioning Manager, which invites the Committee to consider a report on Alternative Education for Key Stage 4 Pupils Permanently Excluded from Schools, which is due to be considered by the Executive Councillor for Adult Care, Health and Children's Services between 5 and 12 December 2017)

Consideration was given to a report from Jonas Gibson, Commissioning Manager, which asked the Committee to consider whether it supported the future commissioning intentions to procure a number of places for alternative education provision for key stage 4 pupils permanently excluded from schools by means of an open competitive tender.  Mary Meredith, Children's Services Manager – Inclusion, was also in attendance to present the report to the Committee.

The Committee was advised that there was a clear need for greater capacity with Lincolnshire's Alternative Education Provision (AEP) sector.  It was reported that there were several reasons for that, one of which was that historically Lincolnshire's Pupil Referral Unit (PRU), now known as Springwell Lincoln City Academy and part of the Wellspring Academy, Trust had gone over Pupil Admission numbers by on average 75 pupils and that there had been a year-end reconciliation with the provider to cover the additional numbers.  It was highlighted that investing in additionality at the beginning of the year would improve the quality of strategic planning. 

The report highlighted that it was crucial that investment sustained the sector and with a minimum of 75 places required, there was an opportunity to do this in diversifying Lincolnshire's AEP offer in the best interests of disaffected Key Stage 4 learners.  The increase in capacity was key to the Council meeting its obligations in ensuring young people, permanently excluded, or on a pre-excluded programme placement from school continued to receive education.  The report highlighted that the required AEP capacity was currently unable to be found, except through external commissioning of these placements.  The Committee was advised that Children's Services were therefore seeking an approach to commission a minimum of 75 placements (but up to a maximum of 125) with effect from the start of the 2018/19 academic year to ensure that education for Key Stage 4 pupils could be maintained.

The Committee was requested to consider whether it supported the recommendations as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report and whether it wished to make any additional comments to the Executive Councillor for Adult Care, Health and Children's Services. The Committee noted that any comments raised would be reported to the Executive Councillor before the decision being taken between the 5 December and the 12 December 2017.

During discussion, the following issues were raised:-

·    Some concern was expressed as to whether if capacity was increased whether this would portray the wrong message and that schools would not seek to establish or develop their own solutions.  Officers felt that this was a risk, but reminded the Committee that the Local Authority was responsible for the education of those excluded from day six and thereafter.  The Committee noted the progress that had been made by the primary sector in reducing the number of pupils excluded.  Clarification was given that all that was being proposed was formalising what was already in place, to ensure that places were available

·       It was noted that Lincolnshire's market of suppliers for AEP who were DfE registered was minimal; and that previously suppliers of the service wishing to bid would need to become registered;

·         The Advantages of providing AEP places.  Page 103 of the report detailed a list of reasons.  Some concern was expressed regarding sub-contractors.  The Committee was reassured that quality would be monitored through contract management;

·         Some concern was expressed that the local authority was being held to ransom because of its statutory duty.  It was felt by some members that this was a national policy issue, which should be escalated via local MPs;

·         The statutory role of the local authority at day six.  Reference was made to the Children's Commissioner briefing report entitled Falling through the Gaps in Education.  A suggestion was made for the findings of report being considered by the Committee at a future meeting;

·         Work experience – One member enquired whether the young people excluded had the opportunity to gain work experience.  Officers advised that it was up to the new school or Pupil Referral Unit to arrange this in line with the pupils education plan; and

·         Reference was made to paragraph 1.8.2 which related to the fact that schools were able to buy direct AEP, which some had done; this however was not a sustainable solution for suppliers in the market place. It was agreed that schools working collaboratively together might have a more positive impact in reducing exclusions.  Officers agreed that more work could be done to try and help schools to work together to create alternative provision.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Children and Young People Scrutiny supports the recommendations as detailed on pages 99/100 of the Executive Councillor report presented. (Executive Councillor for Adult Care, Health and Children's Services).

2.    That the Committee wishes to advise the Executive Councillor for Adult Care, Health and Children's Services that it intends to consider some of the broader issues on alternative education provision, including those highlighted in the Children's Commissioning Briefing Paper 'Falling Through the Gaps in Education', Published in November 2017'.

The Children's Commissioner's briefing is available at the following link:-

https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/publication/briefing-falling-through-the-gaps-in-education/