Agenda and minutes

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no interests were declared.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the previous meetings.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting’s held on 4 and 18 November 2015 be agreed as a correct record.

Simon Evans, Head of Swansea PRU and Behaviour Support Unit outlined and discussed with the CAC his observations on the current EOTAS provision and proposals for the future operation of the service.

 

Included in the information outlined and discussions undertaken were the following areas:

·       How Young People arrive at EOTAS.

·       The percentage of EOTAS young people that become Neet’s rises as the year progresses (10% at start of Sept to 40% End of Summer Term). The end of year figure is broadly similar to mainstream provision.

·       Very challenging behaviour and difficult family backgrounds of children attending EOTAS.

·       Issues around EOTAS/ Special School provision.

·       Current EOTAS provision provided through the Pupil Referral Unit(PRU) which is made up of 4 separate centres.

·       Current number of pupils within EOTAS is 220.

·       The different types of young people looked after by EOTAS – Emotional and Behavioural Difficulty(EPD), Children with mental and physical health issues.

·       Amount of support able to be given to young people through support/youth workers within the EOTAS service.

·       Current EOTAS post 16 provision and possibility of providing an EOTAS 6^th form facility, and possibility of a feasibility study to establish possible take up figures.

·       Post 16 providers are not necessarily adapted to the particular needs of EOTAS young people.

·       Current post 16 provision doesn’t necessarily prepare young people for work and adult life.

·       Impact of more “business led” approach and subsequent changing levels of support within FE colleges.

·       Number of LAC’s within EOTAS is generally around 5-10%, but is very cohort specific and can be higher.

·       Aims of EOTAS is to develop and assist young people in both gaining qualifications and developing life skills .

·       Success of Step Ahead Centre.

·       Need for new/improved PRU premises with outside play areas.

·       Impact on service and budgets of the new Additional Learning Needs(ALN) bill.

·       Recent amendment to EOTAS budget which enables more money to be delegated back to schools to provide “in house” provision.

·       Success of current “in house” provision at Pentrehafod and Bishop Gore.

·       Impact of budget cuts/less teachers/larger classes on the pressures affecting the service.

·       Current maximum provision of 25 hours for EOTAS young people.

·       Balance between getting young people to attend the service and keeping their attendance on a regular basis.

·       EOTAS pathways mixed provision.

·       Success of EOTAS provision in Canada.

·       Developing links with Officers in Poverty Prevention.

·       High transport costs of service.

·       CCS performance compared to other Welsh local authorities(currently 6th)

 

The Committee thanked Mr Evans for his attendance and input.

 

RESOLVED that

 

1) Helen Morgan-Rees, Education Improvement be invited to attend the January meeting.

 

2) that progress on the school survey be sought from the Education Department.

 

3) that potential visits to schools be discussed in the new year.