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ITEM BV8 - APPENDIX 1

BEST VALUE COMMITTEE – 10 DECEMBER 2003

BEHAVIOUR, ATTENDANCE AND EXCLUSIONS BEST VALUE REVIEW SECOND IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS REPORT

Action 1: Support for Schools in Improving Standards of Behaviour

Task

Progress

Time scale

Status

Develop and implement a system to identify schools according to their behaviour support needs.

Systems are now in place to identify behaviour support need and to target intensive support where required.

July 2002

Completed

Produce a handbook of good practice for behaviour support including a tool for the assessment of behaviour.

Draft prepared and in consultation with SENCOs. This will be trialled in primary schools.

September 2002

Completed

Enhanced training programme (behaviour co-ordinators, LSAs, NQTs).

Training programmes at a range of levels now in place. A Learning and Culture Group plans and oversees the work.

September 2002

Completed and ongoing

Intensive support for partnerships where behaviour is a concern (based on Drayton pilot).

The Behaviour Support Service now has a system to target support to schools with high needs. There are plans to develop a multi-agency coordinated approach for support services in 4 areas of high need, Blackbird Leys/Littlemore, Drayton, South Abingdon and Bicester.

September 2002

April 2004

Strengthen support for secondary schools where behaviour is only satisfactory (staff development, curriculum flexibility, assessment for learning, quality of teaching and learning, parental involvement and dissemination of good practice).

A range of training programmes has taken place for all secondary schools eg conference on flexible education and other curriculum development 14-19. The secondary networks continue to meet regularly. Work is now in progress to identify schools for targeted support. Connexions support is now established in all secondary schools.

There is a network of Learning Support Unit staff that meets termly and a supported self evaluation process is being developed.

Ongoing

Ongoing

Support programme for individual teachers (in consultation with teacher organisations).

Helpline operating 5 days per week. Monitoring indicates low take up so far.

September 2002

Completed

Early intervention programmes for early years providers/ nurseries and primary schools where behaviour is a concern.

Range of programmes in place including Dinosaur training for the BSS team, early SEN intervention and plans for geographical targeting to the 4 areas of identified high need.

April 2003

Completed

Establish a network of behaviour support co-ordinators in primary and secondary schools.

Completed for secondary schools with Key Stage 3 coordinators for the Behaviour and Attendance Strategy. A primary network is in development in school partnerships. There are half termly training networks for Primary SENCOs.

September 2003

On target

Reconfigure services to create multi-agency behaviour support teams in partnerships of schools where behaviour is a concern.

A proposal to develop integrated multi agency support services is in development and will be targeted to partnerships of schools in areas of highest need. This is in the development stage for Bicester, South Abingdon, Drayton and Balckbird Leys/Littlemore. Every secondary school has now established a multi agency Connexions team to support young people ages 13-19 whose behaviour is of concern or they are at risk of exclusion.

September 2003

April 2004

Develop more effective links with Child and Adolescent Mental Health.

CAMHs is carrying out a full review of services across all partner agencies.

April 2003

Outcome of the review expected March 2004

Develop networks of in-school learning units and produce and disseminate models of good practice.

Networks of Learning Support Unit staff now established and meeting termly. A supported self evaluation process is in development.

August 2003

Completed and ongoing

Action 2: Rapid Response to Exclusions D

Task

Progress

Time scale

Status

Pilot Rapid Response to Exclusions across City schools and evaluate.

Completed and evaluated. Permanent exclusions in City reduced from 17 in 2000/01 to 8 in 2001/02.

January 2002

Completed

Extension of Rapid Response to groups at risk of exclusion Countywide (children in care, ethnic minority pupils, statemented pupils).

Rapid Response extended to Banbury, Bicester, Abingdon and City Secondary Schools, all Primary and CIPC with effect from November 2003.

April 2002

Completed

Secure extension funding for Rapid Response through ESF or Children’s Fund.

Rapid Response now supported from base budget and PSA funding.

June 2002

Completed

Extension of Rapid Response to all pupils at risk of exclusion Countywide.

Rapid Response extended to Banbury, Bicester, Abingdon and City Secondary Schools, all Primary and CIPC with effect from November 2003.

June 2003

Review April 2004

Secure commitment from other agencies to support children at risk of exclusion:

  • Youth Offending Team
  • Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
  • Social Services

Youth Offending Team panel meets monthly and YOT professionals invited to Rapid Response meetings as appropriate. Social and Health Care staff attend meetings for Children in Care as appropriate.

September 2003

Ongoing

Action 3: Develop a Countywide PRU and Reintegration Service

Task

Progress

Time scale

Status

Appoint Head of PRU and reintegration service.

Appointed March 2002.

By April 2002

Completed

Establish secure tracking system to monitor time out of school for excluded pupils.

PRUIS now works with all PEX from day 2 of the exclusion.

New LEA system in place to monitor administrative process.

April 2002

Completed

Appoint staff to:

  • reintegration team
  • PRU teams
  • KS4 flexible programmes

Fully staffed.

September 2002

Completed

Close West Oxford and Orchard PRUs.

Relocation programme based on old Marston Middle School side, renamed Harlow Centre ongoing.

September 2002

Completed

Review referral procedures and establish pupils out of school panels.

All referrals continue via Rapid Response Programme. Process ensures consistency of process and equality of access across LEA.

September 2002

Completed

Provide full-time education for excluded pupils.

Full time offer made after 15 days to all pupils excluded permanently. Compares favourably with other authorities.

September 2002

September 2002 and ongoing

Continues as before. Data available in body of report.

Transfer the budget and responsibility for home tutors for excluded pupils to the PRU and service.

Since the establishment of the New Children’s Services in September 03 a complete review of the Home Tuition budget is in progress to identify areas of improvement in the decision making and budget monitoring processes.

September 2002

December 2003

Improve multi-agency support to secure the provision of full-time education for children in public care.

Monthly CIPC panel continues. Monthly YOT panel begun. The Social Inclusion Centre relocation at Harlow Centre will be a positive contribution.

September 2002

In place and ongoing

Relocate St James PRU/Ivanhoe PRU/Connect programme on an appropriate site in Oxford City.

Ivanhoe building now closed. St James will close on completion of Harlow Centre. Refurbishment planned for completion by Easter 04. Connect now part of ongoing PRUIS programmes.

September 2003

Expected April 2004

Improve data collection and analysis to monitor achievements of pupils in PRUs/pupils excluded from school and pupils who are receiving alternative education programmes.

PRUIS working with Data team to refine monitoring systems for achievement. Work continuing

September 2003

Ongoing expected completion April 04

 

Co-ordinate educational provision and monitor achievement for all pupils out of school.

Work currently underway across LEA services and schools and is a development target for 2003. The reorganisation of Children’s Services will enable this work to be coordinated.

September 2004

In progress and on target

Action 4: Attendance Action Plan

Task

Progress

Time scale

Status

Analyse school attendance data to grade schools in relation to attendance as part of Annual Monitoring Quality Review process.

Completed and schools with attendance concerns have drawn up attendance action plans which are now being implemented.

October 2001

Completed

Produce guidance for schools on data analysis and attendance action planning.

Guidance developed and distributed to all officers and advisers for use with schools on Annual Monitoring Quality Review.

December 2001

Completed

Provide training and guidance for schools on registration procedures.

This is implemented through the ESW area teams and is ongoing.

December 2001

Ongoing

Work with schools where attendance is of concern to develop an attendance action plan.

Schools with attendance concerns have action plans and ESW Service supports and monitors. Standards Funds have been offered to support action plans with First Day Response Workers in targeted schools.

January 2002

Completed

Establish regular truancy sweeps.

Truancy sweeps have increased in 2002 as a result of new government directives.

April 2002

Completed

Develop systems to ensure that attendance of pupils on flexible programmes or off-site provision is monitored.

ESW Service working with schools and PRUIS to offer guidance and appropriate attendance and registration monitoring.

April 2002

Completed

Following local evaluation, work in partnership with schools to develop and potentially extend the pilot of school-based ESWs to other schools.

Feedback from the national pilots shows it is not clear that this strategy is the main one to influence attendance but some schools report benefits. The new Education Officer for attendance and reintegration took up post in November after recruitment delays. The service will review the service plan and delivery arrangements and consult with schools in Spring term 2004

September 2002 and ongoing

April 2004

Refocus role of ESW Service to support schools in attendance policy and practice.

The ESW Service is focused on tackling unauthorised absence and working with schools on a whole school policy on attendance.

September 2002

Completed

Implement fast track use of courts.

New directives for 12 week fast track of courts is now being introduced. ESW service has increased use of legal procedures.

Ongoing

Ongoing

 

Continue to improve data analysis:

  • half termly attendance returns including <80% data from schools
  • collation of individual pupil level data
  • develop strategy for dissemination of good practice through training, partnership meetings, website

ESW Service working with individual schools on detailed analysis of pupil attendance. ESW service collects data regularly from schools with attendance concerns, monitored by area managers’

The plans for the service to collect data electronically have been delayed. This work needs to be integrated with the overall strategy for pupil data collection and the EMS developments, which remain in development. The focus has been to support schools in their capacity to record absence electronically. The SIMS Attendance module will be implemented on a phased basis to all schools – linked to training. The LEA is exploring systems of electronic data monitoring to link with school attendance data. A Two-day training programme for ESW Service and Connexions personal advisers has been completed.

April 2002

June 2004

Action 5: Strategic Planning Arrangements for Children at Risk of Social Exclusion

Task

Progress

Time scale

Status

Develop a social inclusion policy and strategy for children.

The Local Authority has taken a lead on developing the Local Preventative Strategy which focuses on services for children who are at risk of social exclusion. This was presented to government in April 03. Work has been done to make the number of strategy groups more coherent. A new joint agency Children’s Programme Board has been established to oversee strategy and policy for children. Other planning and implementation groups oversee progress and feed into the Children’s Programme Board such as Sure Start (0-5) Children’s Fund

(5-13) and Connexions(13-19) A member/officer working group on Social Inclusion meets regularly.

September 2002

Ongoing

Develop a strategy for the involvement of young people.

A strategy has been developed and agreed across the full age range via Children’s Fund and Connexions. A consultation exercise was undertaken in September 2002 that involved over 400 children and young people. The council has taken management responsibility for the Children’s Secondary Board.

Services in OCC are committed to the implementation of the Childrens’ Rights checklist. There is much evidence across services that children and young people are becoming involved in a range of creative ways in the decision making process. The youth service employs an Engaging Young People Worker and the Children’s Fund team has a participation officer.

September 2002

Completed

Work with the Council’s Directorate for Strategy to further develop collection and analysis of data to better inform strategic planning.

Work is ongoing. This involves data on demography, poverty and deprivation, crime and offending behaviour statistics. This has informed planning for targeted projects such as the Street Crime initiative in Oxford City.

September 2002

Completed and ongoing.

Establish multi-professional support service teams based in locality areas on secondary schools.

This is in progress jointly between Education and Social Services and is an area for development in 2003. Four areas of high need will be targeted Drayton, Bicester, South Abingdon, Blackbird Leys/Littlmore. The model of Integrated Support Services developed in the EAZ will be extended.

September 2004

On target

Action 6: Implement a Comprehensive Action Plan to Support Children in Public Care who are at risk of Exclusion and Underachievement

Task

Progress

Time scale

Status

Invite a representative from health to join the CIPC Steering Group.

Steering Group has considered this and invitation has gone forward.

October 2002

Completed

Ensure resources are targeted onwards support needs identified through Personal Education Plans.

Support through the PEP provided to children. Actions ranged from additional Teaching Assistant time, home tutoring to providing transport to enable access to after school homework clubs.

September 2002

Completed and ongoing

Continue training and support for designated teachers, social workers/foster carers and parents.

Training sessions offered

  1. Initial training for new designated teachers.
  2. PEPs in action multi-agency sessions.
  3. Attendance at Social Services team meetings, foster carer support groups and partner agency meetings.

September 2002

Completed and ongoing

Continue to consult young people to enable them to contribute to planning and developing services.

Liasing with the leaving care team training programme for consultation workers.

Individual consultation and feedback through each young person’s Personal Education Plan.

September 2002

Completed and ongoing

Undertake joint work to ensure effective education provision for unaccompanied minors in care to the Council.

ESW (0.5) appointed to ensure speedy access to school places and to monitor attendance. Initial EAL assessment to identify appropriate education placement is undertaken by EMAS teacher to ensure placement with necessary support. Regular meetings with partner agencies and protocols for admission agreed.

October 2002

Completed

 

Continue to implement the Rapid Response to exclusions programme and provide access to provision for Children in Care in the new PRU service as necessary.

Access for CIPC to Rapid Response implemented.

New system appears to be responding well for excluded pupils in mainstream schools and providing good support for pupils, carers and schools, monitored by specialist teacher in PRUIS.

September 2002

completed

Work with foster carers, staff in children’s homes and schools to strengthen the home school links to improve attendance.

Regular meeting with managers of children’s homes.

Distribution of Education Guidelines pack to social workers, carers, and designated teachers to inform about education procedures, roles and responsibilities of all parties in relation to education.

New information leaflets for children, teachers, social workers and carers in development.

September 2002 and ongoing

 

 

 

Jan 2004

Completed and ongoing

 

 

 

 

 

In draft

Work with schools to reduce the number of fixed term exclusions and time lost from learning.

Short term support through PEP support funding where CIPC at risk of exclusion. Monitoring via CIPC Steering group.

September 2002 and ongoing

ongoing

Provide reintegration support for pupils who are excluded.

Support through BSS for primary age and PRUIS for secondary age pupils, additional standards fund for short term support through PEP.

September 2002

ongoing

Target additional resources to children at risk of exclusion.

Liaison with social workers and designated teachers to provide short term support through standards fund, and links to dedicated Rapid Response team for Children in Public Care.

October 2002

ongoing

Improve levels of attendance of children in care through effective liaison between designated teachers and the ESW Service to prioritise actions for pupils identified with poor attendance.

In progress – effective links with ESW service established and regular sharing of information. ESW (0.5) appointed to REACH UP team.

July 2003

Completed

Ensure that where possible pupils have access to a school place within the specified 20 days.

Monitor through monthly meetings of CIPC panel.

Provide regular advice and information to social workers about contact with Education Officers.

September 2002 and ongoing

Completed and ongoing

Officers to monitor the impact of changes of educational and home placements.

Monitoring via Children in Public Care Steering Group which meets termly.

April 2003

ongoing

Develop improved tracking and data collection and analysis of attainment of CIPC.

Information about care status to be included into the pupil data systems.

Multi-agency meetings, individual identification of pupils’ needs and support required with designated teachers and social workers. Appointment of Key Stage 4 specialist teacher working with pupils at risk of underachievement.

December 2003

September 2003

In place

 

In place and ongoing

Ensure that all CIPC have a Personal Education Plan to help them achieve their potential and that it is monitored and reviewed.

PEP co-ordinator achieved 300% improvement in numbers of PEPs by working closely with social workers and designated teachers. Preparation of PEPs now firmly embedded in good practice.

September 2002

Completed

Target additional study support to Children in Public Care in Year 11 and those who are at risk of underachievement in Key Stages 2 and 3 through Personal Education Plans.

Individual tracking of relevant pupils and contact with schools, social workers and carers in progress.

Pupils in year 10 and 11 can have additional teaching on a weekly basis and others have targeted additional support through the Personal Education Plan, possibly in the form of a mentor or additional teacher assistant time.

September 2002

Completed and ongoing

Ensure good links with Social Services leaving care team and Connexions Service to ensure good transition planning and continuity of care and advice.

Regular meetings with leaving care team and Connexions.

October 2002

Completed

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