Minutes:
The Director of Education gave a brief introduction highlighting the following points:-
· The Department was divided into four service areas: Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND); Early Years, School Standards and Adult Education; School Place Planning; and Access and Inclusion.
· Whilst the majority of schools in Bromley had converted to academy status the Local Authority continued to retain a number of key statutory duties including amongst others: SEND; attendance and inclusion; and place planning. Bromley schools were open to working in partnership with the Local Authority. There remained some areas of partnership working that required further improvement – such as cross phase collaboration – but positive steps were being taken.
· The standard of education across Bromley was exceptionally high although bridging the gaps in educational attainment continued to be a key focus.
· As a Local Authority, Bromley continued to perform well with the allocation of school places.
· The Local Authority worked well with early years providers and there would continue to be a focus on the key point of transition into primary school.
· Since taking up post at the beginning of the year, the Director had looked to improve communication with schools: a revamped schools circular had been launched and work was underway on developing an education specific website.
· SEND Reforms continued to be a high priority for the Directorate. The service was due a local area inspection jointly led by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The SEND Governance Board was responsible for overseeing delivery of the projects and to this end a three year action plan had been developed which would result in the delivery of some exciting new initiatives. Whilst there were significant increases in the level of demand for SEND Services, this was a national challenge not unique to Bromley.
· The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Trailblazer was in roll-out phase with work starting in ernest in September 2019, when a learning and leadership event would be held.
· A review of services for pupils at risk of exclusion was ongoing. There had been a fall in levels of primary exclusions and similar results were now needed in secondary.
· Elective Home Education was monitored on a monthly basis and the DfE’s next steps in terms of legislating for compulsory registration, something supported by the majority of Local Authorities, were awaited.
The Director then responded to the following questions making the following comments:
· There was no direct causal link between acadamisation and a rise in rates of exclusion. Reducing levels of exclusion was dependant on ensuring that there was support available in terms of suitable alternatives. The Local Authority worked with schools to ensure that support and appropriate provision was in place. If any concerns did arise in terms of a particular school or Trust having unusually high rates of exclusion these would be followed up with the appropriate bodies: the DfE, Regional Schools Commissioner, and Ofsted.
· In terms of appropriate safeguarding measures for children who are electively home educated: any newly home educated children would receive a home visit to ensure that suitable education provision is in place. Any concerns that may arise would be followed up with an appropriate referral. There were limitations to the Local Authority’s powers to intervene and currently there was no legal requirement to register their children as electively home educated. Such a system of registration would provide an additional element of protection.
· Children that were missing out on education were closely monitored through monthly reports reviewed by the Director of Education to ensure that an appropriate offer of education for every single child. The Committee requested that a summary level report be provided to the Committee concerning children missing out on education for more than three months over the previous 12 months.
· In terms of effective place planning, the Director confirmed that the Local Authority had effective professional dialogue with the agencies it needed to work with to deliver its statutory responsibilities for the sufficiency of school places.
· There was engagement with businesses through the Bromley Business Partnership. Apprenticeship and Work Experience opportunities were identified through the partnership. In addition, the Youth Employment Scheme was undergoing a review.