Archived decisions

BEST VALUE REVIEW OF THE EDUCATION OTHER THAN AT SCHOOL (EOTAS) SERVICE

1. The Executive Member has approved the implementation of the Best Value Review - Service Improvement Plan for the Education other than at School (EOTAS) service subject to the availability of resources. The outcomes of the review, and the improvement plan, had been the subject of prior scrutiny by the Education Policy Review Committee.

2. The outcomes of the review take into account the contents of the Green Paper "Every Child Matters" and the Children Bill, and the changing focus of the Education strategy, inclusion policy and behaviour support policies as they emerge and develop. The main areas identified are:

· improvement in management information systems and analyses


· greater emphasis on reintegration following exclusion


· earlier involvement to tackle behaviour problems


· minimising the gap between exclusion, or inability to attend school due to illness, and the availability of EOTAS provision


· clearer focus on the needs of individual children


· seeking views of children and parents and listening to them


· more effective monitoring of home education


· development of a "virtual learning" environment for pupils who are out of school


The detailed improvement plan contains action points for service improvements under each of the above headings, and will be the subject of regular monitoring. Some of the suggested improvements may have financial implications, and these will be taken into account alongside other priorities when budgets for future years are proposed.

3. The review supports Aim 1 of the Corporate Strategy "Maximising Life Opportunities" by identifying improvements in education provision for young people who are out of school due to permanent exclusion or illness. It will also have a favourable impact on crime and disorder issues, given the established links between exclusion from school and youth offending.

D.G. ALLEN

Executive Member for Education

8fR62804