Agenda, decisions and minutes

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None

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

To approve & sign the Minutes of the previous meeting(s) as a correct record.

Approved

Resolved that the Minutes of the Education and Skills Service Transformation Committee held on 8 November be approved and signed as a correct record.

For Information

The Head of Vulnerable Learners presented a “for information” report regarding the Supporting Sufficient Specialist Places programme. The report outlined both the current position and future plans. Further to the circulated report, she verbally updated members on the proposals and issues contained within the report.

The progress made since the Committee had last discussed the matter in September was outlined and detailed in the report, particularly around the following three areas:

·       Data collation and research – data collected from a wide range of different sources and agencies on both current and predicted trends, analysis and identifying of the key themes arising from the data, change team undertook an away day to consider and review data, clear identification of an increase in need and demand for specialist teaching, year on year increase shown for pre-school ALN needs, potential impact of recent Estyn & National Academy for Education Leadership (NAEL) publications.

·       Change team progress – make up of team outlined, regular meetings taking place, team agreed new model and have identified the funding model for the review of the specialist teaching facilities, report to cabinet in the new year which will outline the new model for specialist teaching facilities going forward, headteachers to be updated on these proposals in spring term.

·       Pilot projects - two schools involved in the mini bus pilot at Clwyd Primary School and Ysgol Pen y Bryn have now adopted the transport arrangements on a permanent basis due to the benefits indentified, grant funding has been secured to purchase two additional mini buses to support the project’s sustainability. The Dylan Thomas Cluster Enhanced Provision Project is progressing well with staff now appointed and it is hoped that the provision will open in January 2023 with access for children within the cluster, the pilot is being grant funded and analysis will be critical to assess whether or not all, or part, of the elements should be taken forward as a longer term arrangement.

Members discussed the report and verbal update and asked various questions around the issues and topics detailed above, particularly around the following areas:

·       Potential and options and feasibility of expanding the mini bus pilot;

·       Availability of staff to operate the mini bus and training issues;

·       Increasing demand for ALN services and reduction in local authority budgets;

·       Need for increased national funding for ALN provision;

The Officer and Cabinet Member responded accordingly. 

The Chair thanked the Head of Vulnerable Learners for her report and update.

Noted

The Chair outlined the workplan for the committee for the remainder of 2023/2024.

Agreed that the workplan be noted.