Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Children and Family Services which outlined changes to the Oakfield Short Stay School, and how the Council would meet its statutory duties to ensure that there were sufficient high-quality places in Leicestershire for excluded pupils or pupils who are at risk of exclusion from mainstream education. A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 10’, is filed with these minutes.

The Lead Member for Children and Families stated the Oakfield Short Stay School was an incredibly valuable asset and placed on record his thanks to all staff within the school for their dedication to supporting pupils to succeed.

Arising from discussion, the following points were raised:

(i)        A member asked whether the current number of places at Oakfield would be sufficient in order to meet future demand for excluded pupils and those at risk of exclusion. The Director stated that the current number of places was not expected to be sufficient in future and explained that a review was underway with the intention of expanding available places. It was anticipated that increased reintegration rates would help reduce demand, but it would be important to adopt a flexible model that could adapt to falling exclusion numbers by redirecting capacity toward outreach support in mainstream settings. Members were informed that larger buildings and increased capacity were being sought.

(ii)       With regards to monitoring arrangements, the Director reported that a performance framework had been commissioned by the Department and an initial draft had been considered within a performance meeting. The Framework would aim to track indicators including numbers of excluded and reintegrated children, turnaround times, repeat exclusions, attendance rates, and other key measures. It was noted that maintaining the quality of alternative provision, including within Oakfield, was critical.

(iii)      A member asked whether supporting more children within mainstream schools would reduce demand on Oakfield. The Director outlined that early intervention within mainstream schools was a key objective and would reduce demand for places within Oakfield. The model was being designed to provide additional outreach support both in mainstream schools and other settings.

(iv)      With regards to satellite sites, a member asked whether these were intended to meet geographical need or were required because the original accommodation was insufficient. The Director explained that the previous centres had been located within limited geographic areas and had also lacked sufficient space. The new approach sought to disperse centres across the County to meet local demand while also increasing capacity where needed. It was noted that long travel distances for pupils or staff were undesirable and that the Service aimed for children to be educated locally in order to support reintegration.

(v)       In response to a question asked, the Director stated that alternative‑provision centres had historically become long‑term placements, with pupils entering in Year 8 or 9 and remaining until the end of Key Stage 4. The new model instead defined these centres as short‑term interventions, with the intention of moving pupils on to more suitable long‑term settings. It was noted that educational outcomes for pupils in alternative provision remained significantly lower than for those educated in mainstream schools, and that improving long‑term outcomes was a central aim.

(vi)      With regards to the short‑stay model, a member asked what proportion of pupils who had returned to their mainstream school later re‑entered the provision. The Director advised that it was too early to report on this, as the necessary data had not yet been established. The reintegration and return rate would, however, be a key indicator within the performance framework. It was noted that where a pupil did return to Oakfield after reintegration, this would also prompt consideration of whether the mainstream school remained the most appropriate setting. The Director agreed to provide the Committee with the data at a future meeting.

RESOLVED:

(a)      That the overview of changes to the Oakfield Short Stay School and how the Council would meet its statutory duties to ensure sufficient high-quality places in Leicestershire for excluded pupils or pupils at risk of exclusion from mainstream education, be noted.

(b)      That the Director of Children and Family Services be requested to provide the Committee with information relating to the number of pupils which had returned to Oakfield after reintegration in mainstream provision, at a future meeting.