Minutes:
A presentation by Cerys Townend, Head of Alternative Provision.
Cerys gave a summary of the presentation that had been included in the agenda papers. Members of the Committee had a number of comments and questions:
When a school closes, what provision is arranged for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)? Holy Family School Carlton is currently going through this process.
Amanda Newbold, Assistant Director, Education and Skills, explained that families are supported in finding alternative schools for their child. The Council is assisting families at Holy Family School Carlton to speak to other schools, and a designated SEND officer will carry out review meetings with parents to place students in a school suitable to their needs.
Amanda added that it is planned that Year 10 pupils will move by October half term and pupils in Years 7,8 and 9 will transition in September 2025.
What kind of inspections are carried out for children being educated at home? How are home educated Gypsy Roma Traveller (GRT) children being supported by the Council?
The local authority has a duty to assess the suitability of Elected Home Education (EHE) and do this annually. Very few GRT children are home educated, and they tend to become Children Missing Out on Education (CMOE). Cerys will provide the relevant GRT data for the Committee.
Members acknowledged that whilst there are concerns around EHE children, the Council can only intervene if there is a safeguarding issue.
Does North Yorkshire Council always meet the Sixth Day Target of ensuring that permanently excluded pupils receive full time education starting from the sixth day of exclusion?
The Sixth Day Target is mostly met, but there are some occasions where there are delays, such as when parents and carers are not responding to admission meeting requests or correspondence from the Pupil Referral Service (PRS). Some pupils may not receive full time education due to their individual circumstance and in some cases, full time is not appropriate as some children have been on reduced timetables within school for extended periods of time prior to exclusion.
Cerys explained that the Council monitors data and proactively engage with schools when a child has had 3 suspensions to provide support to prevent it escalating further.
How many Home Education Advisors are there?
There are two full time equivalent advisors and there is a current review on whether this is enough to meet the demand.
Councillor Wilkinson, Executive Member for Education and Skills, informed the Committee that home education is a national issue and is being addressed by the Local Government Association (LGA).
There are 8 permanently excluded primary school children, could Covid have played a part and potentially lead to more exclusions?
Primary school exclusions have been on the increase in the last 3 years in North Yorkshire, and children’s mental health and their attainment later in life is a concern. The Council works closely with SEND Hubs and offer early support to schools and leaders.
Members of the Committee understood that some parents only home educate as a last resort.
There are 317 children receiving Independent Alternative Provision (AP), is this with independent organisations, and how are they selected and monitored?
AP is provided by commercial businesses, selected by schools. Guidance and training is provided to schools so that they can meet the child’s requirements. The Council commission the providers and carry out quality assurance and reviews. Some are qualified teachers, though not all are.
Resolved
That the Committee:
a) Notes the presentation.
b) Receives data on the number of EHE and CMOE Gypsy Roma Traveller children.
Supporting documents: