Issue - meetings

1.     To adopt the option of creating a Portfolio Pupil Referral Unit Model (multi site). 

2.     To accept the financial plan presented in the report delegating the timetable for implementation and realising the plan to the Head of Education Department in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education.

The report was presented by Cllr Dewi Jones

DECISION

1.     To adopt the option of creating a Portfolio Pupil Referral Unit Model (multi-site). 

2.     To accept the financial plan presented in the report, delegating the timetable for implementation and realising the plan to the Head of Education Department in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education.

DISCUSSION

It was reported that ensuring the best support and provision for children with behavioural problems was one of the Education Department's priorities.

It was explained that the Report detailed the existing arrangements for inclusion provision in Gwynedd. It was noted that an ambitious inclusion strategy was introduced for restructuring the provision in 2012 but that it was now timely to reform the provision once again to ensure that it was suitable for responding effectively to pupils' needs in  today's world.

The members were reminded that the Inclusion service had been set up to address the recommendation of an external evaluation in 2017. It was confirmed that the service had constantly evolved to ensure that it met relevant needs and developed good practice.

The proposal was presentedto establish a Portfolio Pupil Referral Unit (multi-site) to provide support for children with significant behavioural and engagement problems. It was reported that they wished for the Unit to be suitable to support children of all ages with a diverse range of needs, as it would be suitable for any pupil who finds the experience of being in a mainstream school challenging and unsuited to their needs. It was  elaborated that a plan for the Unit had been developed to outline a robust governance structure, and specific objectives and roles that need to be achieved.

It was pointed out that the need for this Unit had been highlighted within the work of the Gwynedd headteachers' project board which researched provisions in other Local Authorities, after receiving a report from Estyn recently. It was confirmed that the development of this Unit had been made in collaboration with the headteachers of Gwynedd, ensuring that there was a demand for this particular provision.

Observations arising from the discussion:

·       In response to concerns that the number of pupils being excluded from schools in Gwynedd was increasing, it was confirmed that work was being carried out across the department to try and ensure that pupils were not excluded. It was explained that there were plans to fund budgets for schools to provide support to learners before the need to attend the Referral Unit was considered. It was emphasised that providing this support to the schools was a key part of the success of this scheme.

·       It was explained that the length of time children spent in the Referral Unit would vary, depending on their needs and age, confirming that they would have the freedom to return to the mainstream school at any time they wished to do so. It was explained that specific consideration would be given to any Year 10 or 11 pupils in the Referral Unit to ensure that they were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6