Issue - meetings

That the report be noted.

The Chairman welcomed Mr. David Messum, Advisor for Social Inclusion and Wellbeing, to the meeting and invited him to present a monitoring report on exclusions from schools.

The Advisor for Social Inclusion and Wellbeing advised that data demonstrated that permanent exclusion from school was a rare occurrence in Flintshire and down to one in 2011/12.   He commented on the effective communication between headteachers and the Authority to find an  alternative solution to exclusion and outlined the range of strategies of support and interventions to develop the best possible standards of behaviour to promote teaching and learning.

Referring to the data for the number of fixed term and permanently excluded pupils in High schools for 2011/12 the Chairman asked if monitoring took place to ensure schools were consistent in how they applied criteria for exclusion.   He also sought assurance that the procedure of using  unofficial exclusions from schools did not occur in Flintshire.  The Advisor for Social Inclusion and Wellbeing responded that the data presented was robust and confirmed that the use of unauthorised exclusions did not happen in Flintshire schools.  He advised that work was in progress to produce guidance for schools to assist them in use and length of applying fixed term exclusions.  He advised that evidence confirmed that a short term exclusion was as effective as a long term exclusion.

Councillor P. Lightfoot raised the issue of repeat offenders and asked if he could be supplied with further information regarding this matter.  Mr. D. Hytch commented on the need to protect staff from violent or threatening behaviour.  In response to the further concerns expressed by Members the Advisor for Social Inclusion and Wellbeing referred to the range of partnership work undertaken with the whole school community, class support, individual support, direct work with parents and pupils, and other forms of intervention to ensure every child and young person received maximum benefit to achieve their potential.

The Cabinet Member for Education commented that those schools who addressed the challenge of supporting pupils with behavioural and emotional difficulties were to be commended for their hard work and dedication.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.