Improving education other than at schools services is seen as a priority by Scrutiny Councillors in Swansea. Councillors have just published their report into education inclusion which has a particular emphasis on the education other than at school services. The topic was originally chosen for review because Councillors wanted to ensure that every child is fulfilling its full potential by ensuring that they can access education even if they are not able to attend mainstream school. Councillors also wished to look at education other than at school services locally after reading a report by the Children’s Commissioner in Wales who concluded that pupil referral units across Wales had inconsistent practice and that they are to often seen as an afterthought both within local and national priorities.
Scrutiny Councillors spoke to a number of interested parties including for example Headteachers from Bishop Gore and Pentrehafod Comprehensive Schools and Clase Primary School, Careers Wales West, Youth Offending Service, Swansea Youth Service, social services.
Councillors used the recent Education Other Than at School Good Practice Survey by Estyn as a basis for assessing all the evidence collected over the period of the inquiry and to help formulate the panels conclusions and recommendations.
The inquiry was completed in early October and has made the following ten conclusions. The report also contains 20 recommendations which will be submitted to the Councils Cabinet on 19 November.
- The local authority, school and education other than at school service must be better at meeting the needs of this group of vulnerable children
- Communication between professionals needs to be improved
- There needs to be a greater emphasis on reintegration of young people back into school
- The Pupil Referral Unit Management Committee must drive improvement in the education other than at school service
- Pupil Referral Unit staff need to be part of mainstream training and development
- A holistic wrap around approach is needed for this group of children and young people
- Improve the quality of services for and outcomes of this group of children
- Improve services for young people 16+ transitioning to adulthood
- Ensure that the pupil voice is heard for this group of vulnerable children and young people
- Improve the fabric and suitability of the buildings used to house those children being education other than at school
If you would like any more information about this post or scrutiny more generally you can visit out website at www.swansea.gov.uk/scrutiny
Leave a Comment