Agenda item

"Council welcomes the Coalition Government’s announcements on the replacement for Educational Maintenance Allowance to support young people over 16 to stay on at school or college. It is understood that the new scheme should be in place for the forthcoming academic year. It will be better targeted and continue to support those currently receiving the allowance. This demonstrates the Government's commitment to helping young people stay longer in education.

Breaking the cycle of deprivation' is one of the Council's overriding priorities. Enabling young people to stay at school is one way to meet this, yet eligible pupils are unlikely to learn of these allowances by themselves. Council therefore asks the Cabinet Member for Schools Improvement to ensure that targeted groups of pupils ( such as those in care, care leavers, those with severe disabilities) are aware of the scheme and to alert schools to the scheme and the importance of doing all they can to ensure that all other eligible pupils (such as those recognised by their schools as facing specific barriers to participation such as transport costs or the cost of necessary equipment for their courses) are made aware of the substantial support that will be available to them from schools.

Council requests that all reasonable steps are taken to gather information about the effective take up of these supports and that the matter is referred to Children's Services Scrutiny Committee for further consideration.”

Councillor Fooks moved and Councillor Altaf-Khan seconded the following motion:

"Council welcomes the Coalition Government’s announcements on the replacement for Educational Maintenance Allowance to support young people over 16 to stay on at school or college. It is understood that the new scheme should be in place for the forthcoming academic year. It will be better targeted and continue to support those currently receiving the allowance. This demonstrates the Government's commitment to helping young people stay longer in education.

Breaking the cycle of deprivation' is one of the Council's overriding priorities. Enabling young people to stay at school is one way to meet this, yet eligible pupils are unlikely to learn of these allowances by themselves. Council therefore asks the Cabinet Member for Schools Improvement to ensure that targeted groups of pupils ( such as those in care, care leavers, those with severe disabilities) are aware of the scheme and to alert schools to the scheme and the importance of doing all they can to ensure that all other eligible pupils (such as those recognised by their schools as facing specific barriers to participation such as transport costs or the cost of necessary equipment for their courses) are made aware of the substantial support that will be available to them from schools.

Council requests that all reasonable steps are taken to gather information about the effective take up of these supports and that the matter is referred to Children's Services Scrutiny Committee for further consideration.”

Following debate the motion was put to the vote and was carried by 49 votes to 8.

RESOLVED:  (49 votes to 8)

"Council welcomes the Coalition Government’s announcements on the replacement for Educational Maintenance Allowance to support young people over 16 to stay on at school or college. It is understood that the new scheme should be in place for the forthcoming academic year. It will be better targeted and continue to support those currently receiving the allowance. This demonstrates the Government's commitment to helping young people stay longer in education.

Breaking the cycle of deprivation' is one of the Council's overriding priorities. Enabling young people to stay at school is one way to meet this, yet eligible pupils are unlikely to learn of these allowances by themselves. Council therefore asks the Cabinet Member for Schools Improvement to ensure that targeted groups of pupils ( such as those in care, care leavers, those with severe disabilities) are aware of the scheme and to alert schools to the scheme and the importance of doing all they can to ensure that all other eligible pupils (such as those recognised by their schools as facing specific barriers to participation such as transport costs or the cost of necessary equipment for their courses) are made aware of the substantial support that will be available to them from schools.

Council requests that all reasonable steps are taken to gather information about the effective take up of these supports and that the matter is referred to Children's Services Scrutiny Committee for further consideration.”