Agenda item

AH gave an update as follows:

·       It had not been possible to bring the outcome of the Alternative Learning Provision (ALP) Review and Action Plan or the DSG Management Plan to this meeting as more work was required on financial modelling and engagement with partners and stakeholders;

·       She proposed the establishment of Forum task and finish groups relating to (1) High Needs Block (including AP) and (2) Early Years with a view to ensuring that the Forum Members were involved in the financial elements of the co-production;

·       a work in progress report wasn’t considered appropriate due to the need for the joint ownership of the work and actions and to publish the actions without the accompanying plan could create concern and anxiety;

·       In view of the challenges of timings, it was proposed that the Schools Forum meeting scheduled for May be replaced by a meeting in June to bring these two reports forward.

The Chair advised that she had been contacted by a member of the public and the Chair of the People Scrutiny Commission expressing concern that the ALP Review report was not available for this meeting.  She questioned why this was not known at the Scrutiny Commission meeting on 8^th March, especially in view of the importance and sensitivity around this issue in the community.  AH/DM responded that, on internal review, the reports were not ready to be signed off and did not have the appropriate level of engagement with stakeholders and that a delay was necessary to create more meaningful and credible documents.  AH also confirmed that People Scrutiny Commission would have an opportunity to scrutinise the detail of the ALP review.

Following further questioning, it was confirmed that there would be sufficient notice of changes post-engagement and the action plan would reflect the timescale and lead-in time for decisions.  It was agreed that the timescales would need to be taken into account when agreeing the date of the next Schools Forum meeting.  In response to concerns raised about the impact of delay on students and their families, AH confirmed that some of the actions could be moved on quite quickly.

DM confirmed that there was not a specified deadline to submit information, but the Council would look to inform the DfE of the revised timeline and the indicative date for the next stage of the process.

Forum Members agreed that concerns be recorded about the delay in reviewing ALP services and the impact on the lives of the young people and their families. 

The following members volunteered to participate in the proposed Task and Finish Groups:

1. High Needs:

Aileen Morrison, Ruth Pickersgill and Christine Townsend.

2. Early Years:

Rob Davies, Simon Holmes and Sam Packer.

It was agreed that the Clerk would contact all Members to ask if anyone else would be interested in participating in the groups.

RESOLVED

(1)   that the update be noted;

(2)   that a High Needs Task and Finish Group and Early Years Task and Finish Group be set up to look at the detail of the DSG Management Plan and ALP Outcome of Review and Action Plan prior to these reports being considered at the next meeting of Schools Forum in June.