Contact: Sue Sylvester, Policy and Performance Officer, ext 7493

e-mail: [email protected]

1 Purpose of this report

1.1 This covering report is intended to provide an `at-a-glance' summary for Members. It leads into the full outcome report, which has been drafted by the core review team

1.2 This report supports Aim 1 of the Corporate Strategy as it presents an improvement plan that seeks to maximise the life opportunities of vulnerable children and young people.

2 Purpose of the Service

2.1 Schools are where pupils should be for all or most of their statutory education. However, for those pupils who have been excluded, or are physically or psychiatrically unwell, EOTAS may be considered as a short term provision, to reintegrate pupils into to school and / or prepare them for further education, training or employment. The service has increasingly become involved with preventative work and since April 2002 has been responsible for the Behaviour Support Teams. The EOTAS service is also responsible for monitoring the provision of home education by parents.

2.2 The relevant duty of is laid down in Section 19(1) of the Education Act 1996, which states that "Each local education authority shall make arrangements for the provision of suitable full-time or part-time education at school or otherwise than at school for those children of compulsory school age who, by reason of illness, exclusion from school or otherwise, may not for any period receive suitable education unless such arrangements are made for them".

3 Outcomes sought

The following service outcomes are sought:

· Improved management information and analysis

· Greater emphasis on re-integration

· Earlier involvement to tackle behaviour problems

· Minimal gap between exclusion / ability to attend school due to illness and the availability of EOTAS provision.

· Clearer focus on the needs of individual children

· Improved processes for seeking the views of children and parents and listening to them

· More effective monitoring of `home education'

3.1 At its meeting on 23 March 2003, the Education Policy Review Committee approved the development of an improvement plan, to achieve the above outcomes, based on the retention of a centrally controlled and funded EOTAS service, developed to fulfil the requirements of `Every Child Matters' and the Children's Bill. Approval was also given to a number of service improvements.

4 Members

4.1 The following members participated in this phase of the review:

· Cllr M Cartwright

· Cllr K Heron

· Cllr P Peskett

5 Review details:

5.1 The direct costs of the review were £5,000 and 125 officer days have been required which, at a mid-level salary rate of £220 per day (allowing for on-costs) is a cost of £27,500.

5.2 This review has adhered to revised Best Value Review process.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

1. The attached outcome report and improvement plan be agreed as representing the views of this Policy Review Committee

2. The Executive Member is advised of the outcome of the Best Value review so that the improvement plan can be implemented, subject to the availability of resources.

3. Arrangements are made for this committee to receive annual progress reports until the improvement plan is completed

4. A summary of the review is prepared in the standard format for inclusion in the Performance Plan.

5. The Policy Review Committee nominates a member who will be involved in overseeing the implementation of the Improvement Plan

N.B. The list excludes:

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

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