Issue - meetings

[Report of the Director of Children’s Services. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Children and Families]

This report sets out details of proposals for the future model of alternative provision in Haringey and to propose a number of recommendations in order to take forward these proposals.

 [Cllr Mark Blake left the room for this item 19.53]

The Cabinet Member for Children and Families introduced this report which set out details of proposals for the future model of alternative provision in Haringey and to propose a number of recommendations in order to take forward these proposals. Additionally, as a result of this report, the Pupil Referral Unit would be brought back in house.

The Cabinet Member was delighted to present this paper and the accompanying model for change which sets out a strategic, partnership and transformational approach to meeting the needs of children and young people in Haringey. Based on local and national work on alternative provision, and increasingly informed by the voices of children, young people and parents themselves, the proposed approach requires change in the short and longer term recognising that a phased approach is needed to ensure that co-design and learning is embedded from the outset.

The Cabinet Member noted that the Young People at Risk Strategy recognises that the Council must adopt an early intervention and whole systems approach in order to address some of the complex issues facing children and young people in Haringey. This report and the approach it outlines was within the wider context of that Strategy and its vision to ensure that all children and young people receive the best start in life.

Officers added that the report represented a whole systems approach. It was anticipated this would be 5 to 10 years programme of change and this report represented the important first steps.

RESOLVED

1.    To agree the Change Model attached as Appendix A recognising that some elements are for implementation now whilst others require further co-design before being implemented

2.    That in order to support the Change Model, to agree:

a.    the use of Stamford Hill School site as the preferred site for the Alternative Provision Hub which will accommodate the co-located Tuition Service and Octagon Pupil Referral Unit from 1^st September 2020

b.    to note the application of TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment)) to these arrangements

c.    to note the need for a further Cabinet decision to approve the award of contract to carry out the capital works required to ensure the Stamford Hill School site is ready for pupils on 1^st September 2020

Reasons for decision

There are three main drivers for the decisions being proposed at this time.

First, the trajectory for pupils permanently excluded from school is poor and there continues to be a disproportionality in the number of Black and Minority Ethnic Pupils being excluded and a seeming overrepresentation of pupils with SEN at risk of exclusion, experiencing a significant number of fixed term exclusion or permanently excluded. The risks of becoming longer term NEETS (not in education or employment) or involved in anti-social behaviour or criminality remain high and present a compelling argument for change. There needs be a real drive to shift the perception of many children, young people, parents/carers, schools and governors from seeing permanent  ...  view the full minutes text for item 197