Issue - meetings

Report DCYP12011

The Portfolio Holder introduced a report setting out a proposal to renew the Long Term Sickness Scheme which applied to all local authority maintained primary and special schools and those primary schools with Academy status for a further three year period.  The scheme provided an insurance to schools allowing them to claim for any long term sickness absence following a lead-in period of 15 days. Schools were then reimbursed for the cost of staff cover for these absences. 

It was noted that the Long Term Sickness Scheme was a ‘mutual’ scheme with all costs being borne by the participating schools.  There was no financial cost to the Local Authority other than the administration of the scheme.  A proportion of this cost would be covered by an additional charge to be paid by academies.

In response to a query from a Co-opted Member, the Director CYP underlined the importance of supporting schools to manage staff sickness absence effectively and noted that schools were encouraged to seek advice from the Council’s Human Resources team where appropriate.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to approve that the Long Term Sickness Scheme be renewed for a further three year period.