Contact: Paula Garvey, Inspector/Adviser for 14-19 Partnerships, Telephone 07985 621867.

1 Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

1. That the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education) notes the work of the 14-19 consortia in preparing for the introduction of diplomas and approves the preparations for the strategic roll out of 14-19 diplomas across the county leading to a 14-19 education plan to be completed by 2008.

2 Reason

2.1 This decision supports the following Hampshire County Council priority:

"Making Hampshire safer and more secure for all" by seeking to promote the link between the qualifications reform, wider skills, extended services and the range of services within the youth offer, will achieve better health and reduce antisocial behaviour and criminality.

"Maximising well-being" by developing higher skilled, better qualified and more motivated young people.

2.2 The decision supports the Aims of the Children Act: by ensuring the needs of every young person are met through high quality 14-19 education.

3 Other Options considered and rejected:

3.1 Not to develop a strategic plan for the roll out of the diplomas would lead to their being rolled out naturally and at will by the consortia. This could lead to duplication or lack of provision of the full entitlement for all young people in Hampshire, with particularly poor consequences in rural areas and where diploma lines have a low take up.

4 Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted

4.1 None.

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee -

5.1 None.

6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent -

6.1 Not applicable

Approved by: Date:

........................................

Councillor David Kirk

Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education)