Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Children and Family Services which provided an overview of the functions of the Inclusion Service. A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 9’, is filed with these minutes.

The Lead Member for Children and Families stated that the Inclusion Service was invaluable in ensuring that that every child in Leicestershire received an education that could meet their needs and allowing them to reach their full potential. He highlighted the emphasis on the Council, schools, and parents working together with children to ensure that they were receiving the best level of support, at the right time, in order to achieve the best outcomes.

Arising from the discussion, the following points were raised:

(i)         Concern was raised regarding the growing demand for support for children and young people who were facing barriers to attendance. The Director acknowledged that the number of children not in education was concerning. The number of those children and young people classed as having medical needs, the electively home-educated cohort of children, the number of children missing education, and the number of exclusions continued to increase. This demand pressure also continued to increase costs for the Department. The Director outlined that the issues could be attributed to a clearer understand of barriers to education, an increase in levels of complexity within cohorts of children, and challenges in schools meeting need. It was noted that a White Paper relating to education was anticipated and was expected to include a strategy for supporting children within schools.

(ii)        Concern was also raised regarding the number of primary school children missing education whereby the reason was either unknown or hadn’t been recorded. The Director assured members that the Service engaged with families in order to understand the reason why a child was missing education. However, there would always be a point in time whereby the Department was not yet clear around the reason for missing education.

(iii)       With regards to secondary permanent exclusions having increased since 2022-23, the Director outlined that this could be as a result of either more complex children being supported in mainstream schools, school performance and the measures which schools were judged by, and disruptive behaviour. The Director stated that, historically, a low number of permanent exclusions were had been recorded in Leicestershire. The Department worked with schools to prevent exclusions. However, it would sometimes be necessary for schools to exclude children. It was noted that some schools used exclusions more often than others.

(iv)      In response to concern regarding the number of children being electively home educated (EHE), the Director acknowledged the concern and stated that the Department collected data relating to the reason behind the decision to EHE. Although, there were a number of reasons why the decision was made, there was no evidence that EHE decisions had been made due to any reported bias within the curriculum. It was noted that there could be some children who struggled to engage with learning styles and expectations within schools. However, some schools were more creative in adapting learning for children who required it. The Department was developing an Education Belonging Strategy which would focus on how different children could access the curriculum and engage with their classmates. This work would contribute towards improving attendance and supporting children to achieve positive educational outcomes for progression into adulthood.

(v)        It was noted that a webinar was delivered for new home educating parents which encouraged networking and also signposted to events. A webinar was also delivered specifically for Year 11 EHE children, relating to exam arrangements and post-16 education. In addition to this, a termly EHE newsletter would be sent directly to all home educating parents which included signposting to events, opportunities, and essential services. It was noted that Department worked with other services both within the Authority and within partner organisations, in order to ensure that home educating families received support.

(vi)      At the request of the Chairman, the Director agreed to present a report on the Oakfield Short Stay School, at the meeting on 3 March 2026.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the overview of the functions of the Inclusion Service, be noted.

(b)       That the Director of Children and Family Services be requested to present the Committee with a report on the Oakfield Short Stay School, at the meeting on 3 March 2026.