Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence received from Councillors Brent Carter and David Isaac.

The Chair advised that Carl Jones, Co-optee, has decided to resign from this Committee due to other commitments.  

Members are reminded of their personal responsibility to declare any personal and prejudicial interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government and Finance Act 1992 relating to Council Tax, the Local Government Act 2000, the Council’s Constitution and the Members Code of Conduct

Note:

(a)  Members are reminded that they must identify the item number and subject matter that their interest relates to and signify the nature of the personal interest and

(b)  Where Members withdraw from a Meeting as a consequence of the disclosure of a prejudicial interest they must notify the Chair when they leave

No declarations of interest were made. 

To consider report of the Chief Officer Education

Sue Walker advised that a Head of Service has been appointed for the Additional Learning Needs and Inclusion post and the successful candidate will hopefully start before the new academic year. 

Jill Watkins and Rhiannon Stephens Davies referred to the report on the Additional Learnings Needs and Outreach Support across the Authority and took members through the report in detail as follows: 

-       Taking forward the Merthyr Additional Learning Needs Co-ordinator (ALNCo) Forum. 

-       All schools engaging in training in readiness for the new Act.

-       Supporting the needs of the ALNCos.

-       Outreach support commissioned by Greenfield School to LRBs across Merthyr Tydfil.

Jill Watkins and Rhiannon Stephens Davies provided background information in relation to the following:

-       How is training for the ALNCos being used in the classroom situation.

-       Clarification on the Child’s Review.  

-       Sharing of what provisions are available to support children in Schools.

-       Interactive training available and how this can be rolled out.   

-       Staff within Greenfield School working on the outreach support and how will this impact on the needs of the children in Greenfield School.  

-       Statutory duties for maintained Schools.  When will Schools embark on this process? 

-       Introduction of the B Squared Assessment. 

-       The process in determining whether a child has ALNs.

Councillor Sherelle Jago arrived at 4.35 pm.

RESOLVED that:

The contents of the report be noted by members. 

The Chair thanked Jill Watkins and Rhiannon Stephens Davies for their  informative report and presentation.    

To consider report of the Chief Officer Education

Sue Walker referred to the report on the review of the Education other than at School (EOTAS) Provision and took members through the report in detail as follows:

-       The development of the Pupil Referral Unit at Ty Dysgu.

-       Pupils enrolled on the Special Tuition Programme.

-       Service Level Agreement with Equity Solutions.

-       Links with outside agencies.

Sue Walker provided background information in relation to the following:

-       Development of more robust packages to support those learners permanently excluded.

-       Behavioural management issues  -  what support is in place to engage with families.  

-       Attendance at Ty Dysgu  -  as the COVID Pandemic affected the attendance figures? 

RESOLVED that:

The contents of the report be noted by members. 

To consider the attached report

Members discussed the work programme and it was RESOLVED that:

-       The Chair, Scrutiny Officer and Sue Walker consider items for inclusion in the forward work programme for 2021/22.

-       A report be considered in the 2021/22 work programme before the end of the summer term in relation to the June workshop on Accountability and Evaluation Framework for Education. 

-       Consideration of Cabinet’s forward plan.  

-       Additional items listed in the work programme to be considered for this Committee’s 2021/22 work programme. 

The Chair advised that there were no new referrals.

To receive an update from the Chair

The Chair and the Committee reflected in detail on the items that had been considered in the Meeting.

The Chair advised that there were no items deemed urgent.