Contact: Louise Brierley, Area Director, Education and Inclusion North and East, Tel. 01252 814755: louise.brierley@:hants.gov.uk

1 Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

1. That the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education) agrees that the PRU known as Basingstoke School Plus should be divided into two PRUs from September 2008, one to serve the needs of permanently excluded pupils in Area 1 and the other for pupils with statement of SEN for behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (BESD) pupils in the north of the county.

2. That the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education) agrees to the instigation of a consultation process for `converting' the PRU for pupils with statement of special educational needs for behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (BESD) into a special school for 63 pupils, in line with the County Strategy for BESD provision.

2 Reason

2.1 This decision supports the following Hampshire County Council priorities:

"Making Hampshire safer and more secure for all" - by better meeting the needs of pupils at risk of permanent exclusion and permanently excluded pupils and therefore at risk of disengagement.

"Maximising well-being" - by improving the aspirations of pupils with a Statement of Need for behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (BESD) and those at risk of permanent exclusion through improved and better targeted services.

"Enhancing our quality of place" - through the provision of improved and better targeted services.

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

Being healthy; staying safe; enjoying and achieving; making a positive contribution; economic well-being by improving the outcomes for pupils with a Statement of Need for behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (BESD), pupils at risk of permanent exclusion and permanently excluded pupils.

3 Other Options considered and rejected:

3.1 Maintaining the status quo was considered but rejected in the light of the progress that has been achieved so far in improving the provision by administering it as two separate institutions. This view has been validated by the judgement of Her Majesty's Inspector (HMI) in termly monitoring visits.

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.

Approved by: Date:

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

Councillor David Kirk

Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education)