Issue - meetings

Report CEF22063

The report outlined proposed changes to recoupment policy for Alternative Provision (AP) in line with “money following the child” principles and Government guidance.

The Director of Education introduced the report and outlined the context of the report.  In 2019, the LA in partnership with schools, undertook a review of AP.  The review made a number of recommendations, and these led to the actions set out in the report being taken.  One of the key design principles agreed at that time was that “the money follows the child”.  In reality this had been implemented only partly and there was now a need to fully implement this design principle.  Consequently, the LA was seeking recoupment of costs and further details were set out in the report.

In response to a question, the Director of Education confirmed that no adverse implications for commissioned AP services were anticipated.  The budget was predicated on having an effective redistribution of funding in the local area and therefore ensuring a healthy and sustainable approach to AP across the Borough.

Members of the Forum expressed support for the approach to AP and in response to a question the Director of Education confirmed that the Home Hospital Tuition Service was partly DSG funded (with an additional contribution from the LA) and some pressures had been created as a result of the minimal recoupment to date.  There was a need to have a redistribution of funding to meet current costs appropriately and sustainably and to consider whether there was a need to have additional AP in order to meet the needs of children and young people across the Borough. 

The Forum noted that given Secondary Headteachers had unanimously agreed to the design principles, it was unlikely that schools would refuse to pay.  Although no particular issues were envisaged, there were ways and means for the LA to press to recover the funding should that be necessary.

RESOLVED: That the specified amendments to school funding agreements be supported to enable “money to follow the child” in AP provision as agreed in March 2021.