Agenda item

To consider a report by the Education Cabinet Member’s report on the above.

(a)        The Cabinet Member for Education's report was submitted outlining the background of the above scheme that was led by the six local authorities to provide skills and suitable support to the County's most vulnerable pupils and young people.

(b)     It was explained that Denbighshire County Council lead on the management and monitoring of the regional business scheme and they were financed via the European Social Fund with the intention of commencing the scheme in September 2015 until August 2018 with the possibility of extension until August 2020.  It was explained that the aim of the scheme would be to “adopt a method of implementation to identify vulnerable pupils early and respond to their needs by providing a suitable curriculum and support for them”.

(c)        Committee Members were given an opportunity to ask questions and the Cabinet Member for Education and the officers responded as follows:

·         Eight posts were part of the scheme with the Manager already appointed to commence in November. It was explained that six of the posts were operational and two had the title of Education Social Workers who would be able to work with families with children to overcome obstacles that do not meet with the Social Services needs criteria. The other four posts would focus on attendance, youth workers to inspire children and young people to gain accreditations and a sports worker who would be part of a team to target the needs of young people and support them to continue in education when they had left school.

·         That match funding was contributed from the service that was already in schools in terms of the inclusion strategy, supporting children in mainstream, welfare service and the central behaviour support service.    

·         They would be targeting children from Year 7 upwards and could support pupils along their educational journey and especially during transition at 16 years old and this would assist pupils to make decisions earlier regarding their careers.      

·         It was confirmed that 480 pupils from Gwynedd was the number of participants who were at risk and it was explained that they had been identified via the engagement framework        

·         In terms of qualifications, it was emphasised that the relevant officers would work with children daily and in addition that training with a wide number of courses would be available to them for employment.      

·         That the number of disaffected children was lower in Gwynedd in terms of the NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) percentage namely approximately 7 – 8%, however, it was explained that the Trac scheme would address the needs of children once they had left Colleges and were unable to gain employment.          

·         In terms of training implications to school staff, it was explained that school staff were very well versed in the fields in question but were under increasing pressure and this scheme would lighten the load of schools by having an officer to work for an extended period jointly with the children. It was not anticipated that it would be necessary to train school staff and there would be no additional pressure on them.   

·         There was a significant percentage of disaffected children on the additional learning needs list and there was a group of children with profound behavioural difficulties and through the scheme it was possible to get to grips with the problems early on.   

·         That strengthening the link with the Youth Justice Service was currently under consideration and the number who are open to the above Service had reduced significantly nationally and the Department had not invested as much as in the past.   It was trusted that through the Trac scheme that the number of pupils who offend could be reduced and they could continue to live and flourish locally.   

·         Regarding contact with local employers, it was explained that the training needs had been developed at the level of the six north Wales authorities and that a wide range of general courses had been put in place and there was no training for specialist fields.  However, further consideration may be given to the training framework and it would be possible to hold discussions with more local employers regarding their requirements.

·         That there was a slippage with the receipt of grant, however, it was trusted that they would move forward soon with the financial allocation.

·         In terms of balancing the statutory service against the non-statutory, it may be argued that having made an investment early on that money would be saved in the long term.   

·         That the Area Access Panels would operate at an area level and give consideration to priorities and the type of services offered. The Panels would comprise Trac scheme workers together with school representatives.

·         In terms of developing an action framework, assurance was given that they would collaborate with the Careers Wales Service. 

·         It was further assured that stemming from the concerns regarding the geographical tension with the allocation of funding between the six authorities, that the money would be directed in accordance with the criteria and where the need existed.    

Resolved:       (a)        To accept and note the contents of the report on the project that was in its early days.

(b)     To request that the Education Service submits an update on the scheme within a year of its implementation.