Paper attached.

Cathy Braun presented her report which updated the Board on the progress of negotiating the three service level agreements currently held with Seabrook College with the new Academy sponsor Parallel Learning Trust for the delivery of:

·      Alternative Provision and prevention pathways;

·      Outreach Service for Behaviour and Reintegration Support;

·      Individual Tuition Service.

The Board members commented as follows:-

·      The significant reduction in the number of primary short term nurture places (reduced from 54 places down to 16 places) from 2014 to current as a result of the closure of the Eastwood Nurture Base and the formation of the behaviour outreach service;

·      The long standing concerns about the quality of provision and the effective use of the nurture base funding. 

·      Must ensure that (i) the SLA’s are operating on a sound basis; (ii) that schools are fully aware of the support available and (iii) effective mapping of actual need;

·      The complexity of need has significantly increased and it must be recognised that individual schools cannot always meet the needs of their pupils given the complex issues they may have;

·      Emphasised the need for regular monitoring of the effectiveness and delivery of the SLA’s and that the outcomes are being met – ensuring that the services deliver what is required;

·      The need for more effective outreach work;

·      Emphasised that if need is not met at primary school level it can become a significant problem at secondary school level;

·      Officers should go back to the PLT with two options for the funding of the transportation of pupils on preventative places – (i) to keep the 8k top up or (ii) reduce the top-up and individual schools cover the costs;

In answer to questions and the above comments it was noted that:

·      Outreach support had increased and the nurture support had been reduced;

·      The new SLAs were much stronger than previously in place;

·      The issue was not that there were insufficient resources but how the funds were being used;

·      Emphasised that Seabrook was not the answer for some of the high need and complex issues;

·      Officers would take forward appropriate arrangements for the monitoring of the effectiveness of the SLAs and the outcomes, e.g. through a sub group of the Education Board.  Primary and Secondary schools most effected by the SLA’s will be involved to ensure that the SLAs are providing the right solutions;

·      Advised that in respect to the export/import of pupils across boundaries it was approximately the same (after this meeting it was clarified that actual figures indicate that there were more pupils imported from outside the borough (after the meeting it was clarified that over the last four years we have seen an average net loss to Essex and other destinations of 300 and a net gain from Essex, the London Boroughs and other sources of 567. Giving us a gross gain of 267 pupils, mainly into the selective schools).

·      Noted that the original SLAs would continue to operate until the new SLA’s and new provider were in place and set-up;

Resolved:

1. That the amended service agreements, including the revised service objectives, key service delivery and performance indicators and previously agreed funding, be noted.

2. That the contents of the draft service agreements be approved and the final sign off with Parallel Learning Trust (anticipated academy conversion date 01/02/17) be agreed.

3. That arrangements be put in place to monitor the effectiveness and delivery of the SLAs.