Issue - meetings

(a)       That the proposed arrangements to support children and young people through the Inclusion Service be approved; and

(b)       That the Committee continue to monitor the impact of the proposed arrangements for the Inclusion Service in 2014/15.

The Head of Inclusion Service introduced a report to inform members of the operational structure for the Inclusion Service from September 2014.  She provided background information and advised that members were asked to consider the arrangements for revised service delivery against the priorities of provision and support for children and young people with additional learning needs. 

The Head of Inclusion Service advised that in accordance with the Council’s budgetary decisions for 2014-15, efficiencies had been identified through the restructure, some of which had already been achieved through the Value for Money project and the Voluntary Redundancy scheme which had been running concurrently to the review.

During discussion Officers responded to the questions raised by members around the consultation exercise, and the forthcoming Fixed Penalty Notices concerning pupils unauthorised absence from school.  Councillor Stella Jones raised concerns around the waiting times for statements of special needs.  The Head of Inclusion Service and the Chief Officer responded to the matters raised and agreed to provide a progress report to the Committee on how the system worked and to include performance indicators. 

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the proposed arrangements to support children and young people through the Inclusion Service be approved; and

(b)       That the Committee continue to monitor the impact of the proposed arrangements for the Inclusion Service in 2014/15.