1 Summary

That the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education):

(a) approves the consultation document set out in the Appendix; and

(b) authorises consultation to be carried out with the Headteachers of all schools maintained by the County Council, their Governing Bodies, the Chief Constable of Hampshire Constabulary and other appropriate parties the results of which will be reported back to the Executive Lead Member at a future decision day.

2 Reason

2.1 This decision supports the following Hampshire County Council priority:

"Making Hampshire safer and more secure for all", Children and young people who are not attending school or local authority provision during the first five days of fixed term or permanent exclusion and are not being supervised appropriately by their parents may become involved in offending or may be vulnerable to or at risk of becoming a victim of crime.

"Maximising well-being" - the overall development and wellbeing of children and yount people as well as the opportunity to acquire qualifications that lead to post 16 education and training are enhanced whilst supervised appropriately undertaking their national curriculum studies.

"Enhancing our quality of place" - a young person's respect for his/her local environment is increased if during school hours that young person is engaged in study supervised by a parent.

2.2 The decision supports the following Aims of the Children Act:

"Staying safe" - children and young people not supervises appropriately by parents and found in a public place may be vulnerable and at risk of becoming involved in crime or antisocial behaviour or may themselves become the victims of crime;

"Achieving economic well-being" - children and young people benefit from structured, supervised learning. Parental oversight is imperative in outcomes that lead to post 16 learning.

3 Other Options considered and rejected:

3.1 If the County Council fails to draw up a Code of Conduct the Secretary of State for Education may at any time direct the County Council to prepare a draft Code of Conduct for his approval.

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 Only if item is a `key' decision and misses agenda despatch.

Approved by: Date:

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

Councillor David Kirk

Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education)