Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest received at this point in the meeting.

The minutes of the meeting of the Children and Young People’s Learning Scrutiny Panel held on 12 December 2022 were submitted and approved as a correct record.

Officers will be in attendance to provide the Scrutiny Panel with information that demonstrates how the South Tees Youth Justice Service (STYJS) works with schools in Middlesbrough to:

Ø  react swiftly and firmly to early signs of criminal behaviour;

Ø  promote engagement in the education system;

Ø  improve attendance;

Ø  prevent exclusions (fixed-term and permanent);

Ø  improve attainment; and

Ø  deliver well-targeted educational support.

The South Tees Youth Justice Service’s (STYJS) Education, Training and Employment (ETE) Specialist was in attendance to provide information on the STYJS Inclusion Pathway and to demonstrate how the STYJS worked with schools in Middlesbrough to:

• react swiftly and firmly to early signs of criminal behaviour;
• promote engagement in the education system;
• improve attendance;
• prevent exclusions;
• improve attainment; and
• deliver well-targeted educational support.

The ETE Specialist explained that following the endorsement received from the Children and Young People’s Learning Scrutiny Panel, the STYJS Inclusion Pathway had been implemented in mid-December (2022). It was added that, since its introduction, 25 referrals had been received.

The new STYJS Inclusion Pathway had created a mechanism which enabled Case Managers to access support for young people who were at risk of disengagement from education.  The pathway had been designed to promote engagement in the education system, improve attendance, prevent exclusions (fixed-term and permanent), improve attainment and deliver well-targeted educational support.

Members heard that training had been delivered for Case Managers, which had included information on the importance of the STYJS Inclusion Pathway and the reason for its development.

The introduction of the STYJS Inclusion Pathway demonstrated effective practice in respect of partnership arrangements with schools, colleges and training providers to actively support the delivery of education.

Members heard that in terms of the process followed, Case Managers contacted schools, colleges and training providers to collect the following information: 

·         the young person’s up-to-date attendance record;

·         information about the young person’s behaviour in school/training; 

·         the young person’s academic levels/achievements;

·         the young person’s risks and concerns in respect of ETE;

·         any services or support provided/not provided in response to the young person’s special educational needs and whether a SEN Plan or EHCP was in place; and

·         the young person’s attitude to ETE.

It was advised that gathering information from schools, colleges and training providers planned to provide a holistic picture of the young person.

The scrutiny panel heard that Case Managers recorded attendance and suspensions. When assessing the young person, a referral was made to the STYJS ETE Team if the young person’s attendance record was lower than 75% and/or the young person had been suspended more than 10 times during a term.

It was explained that the referral mechanism in respect of attendance levels reflected the national average for young people attending school and did not take into account those attending alternative provision or pupil referral units.

With regards to the support provided by the STYJS ETE Team, the ETE Specialist and the ETE Support Worker would complete checks on Capita and consult with Case Managers and other education teams. Following those checks, if it was determined that support was required, the case would be allocated to the ETE Specialist.

It was explained that, to provide support, the ETE Specialist would link in with other education teams, such as the Virtual School, the SEN Team and the Inclusion and Outreach Service.  It was also advised that the ETE Specialist attended Pupil Inclusion Panel (PIP) meetings, Inclusion  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22/38

The Chair will present a verbal update on the matters that were considered at the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Board held on 13 December 2022.

The Chair advised that on 13 December 2022, the Overview and Scrutiny Board had considered:

·         the Executive Forward Work Programme;

·         an update on ongoing work and current key issues from the Executive Member for Regeneration;

·         the Revenue and Capital Budget Projected Outturn Position as at Quarter Two;

·         the Corporate Performance Update as at Quarter Two 2022/2023; and

·         updates from the scrutiny chairs.

NOTED