To consider a report by the Education Cabinet Member’s report on the above.
Minutes:
(a) The
Cabinet Member for Education's report was submitted outlining the background of
the above scheme that was led by the six local authorities to provide skills
and suitable support to the County's most vulnerable pupils and young people.
(b) It
was explained that Denbighshire County Council lead on the management and
monitoring of the regional business scheme and they were financed via the
European Social Fund with the intention of commencing the scheme in September
2015 until August 2018 with the possibility of extension until August
2020. It was explained that the aim of
the scheme would be to “adopt a method of implementation to identify vulnerable
pupils early and respond to their needs by providing a suitable curriculum and
support for them”.
(c) Committee
Members were given an opportunity to ask questions and the Cabinet Member for
Education and the officers responded as follows:
·
Eight posts were part of the scheme with the
Manager already appointed to commence in November. It was explained that six of
the posts were operational and two had the title of Education Social Workers
who would be able to work with families with children to overcome obstacles
that do not meet with the Social Services needs criteria. The other four posts
would focus on attendance, youth workers to inspire children and young people
to gain accreditations and a sports worker who would be part of a team to
target the needs of young people and support them to continue in education when
they had left school.
·
That match funding was contributed from the
service that was already in schools in terms of the inclusion strategy,
supporting children in mainstream, welfare service and the central behaviour
support service.
·
They would be targeting children from Year 7
upwards and could support pupils along their educational journey and especially
during transition at 16 years old and this would assist pupils to make
decisions earlier regarding their careers.
·
It was confirmed that 480 pupils from Gwynedd
was the number of participants who were at risk and it was explained that they
had been identified via the engagement framework
·
In terms of qualifications, it was emphasised
that the relevant officers would work with children daily and in addition that
training with a wide number of courses would be available to them for
employment.
·
That the number of disaffected children was
lower in Gwynedd in terms of the NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training)
percentage namely approximately 7 – 8%, however, it was explained that the Trac scheme would address the needs of children once they
had left Colleges and were unable to gain employment.
·
In terms of training implications to school
staff, it was explained that school staff were very well versed in the fields
in question but were under increasing pressure and this scheme would lighten
the load of schools by having an officer to work for an extended period jointly
with the children. It was not anticipated that it would be necessary to train
school staff and there would be no additional pressure on them.
·
There was a significant percentage of
disaffected children on the additional learning needs list and there was a
group of children with profound behavioural difficulties and through the scheme
it was possible to get to grips with the problems early on.
·
That strengthening the link with the Youth
Justice Service was currently under consideration and the number who are open
to the above Service had reduced significantly nationally and the Department
had not invested as much as in the past. It was trusted that through
the Trac scheme that the number of pupils who offend
could be reduced and they could continue to live and flourish locally.
·
Regarding contact with local employers, it was
explained that the training needs had been developed at the level of the six
north Wales authorities and that a wide range of general courses had been put
in place and there was no training for specialist fields. However,
further consideration may be given to the training framework and it would be
possible to hold discussions with more local employers regarding their
requirements.
·
That there was a slippage with the receipt of
grant, however, it was trusted that they would move forward soon with the
financial allocation.
·
In terms of balancing the statutory service
against the non-statutory, it may be argued that having made an investment
early on that money would be saved in the long term.
·
That the Area Access Panels would operate at an
area level and give consideration to priorities and the type of services
offered. The Panels would comprise Trac scheme workers together with school representatives.
·
In terms of developing an action framework,
assurance was given that they would collaborate with the Careers Wales
Service.
·
It was further assured that stemming from the
concerns regarding the geographical tension with the allocation of funding
between the six authorities, that the money would be directed in accordance
with the criteria and where the need existed.
Resolved: (a) To accept and note the
contents of the report on the project that was in its early days.
(b) To
request that the Education Service submits an update on the scheme within a
year of its implementation.
Supporting documents: