Members of the public who wish to speak at this meeting can attend the meeting in person or ‘virtually’ through an online connection.
To facilitate ‘hybrid’ meetings we are asking that requests to speak or present a petition are submitted by no later than 9am four working days before the meeting i.e., 9am on 18 November 2024. Requests to speak should be sent to the Scrutiny Officer at scrutiny@oxfordshire.gov.uk.
If you are speaking ‘virtually’, you may submit a written statement of your presentation to ensure that your views are taken into account. A written copy of your statement can be provided no later than 9am 2 working days before the meeting. Written submissions should be no longer than 1 A4 sheet.
Minutes:
Angus Wilkinson voiced concerns about Oxfordshire County Council's approach to Co-production. He noted that the Youth Forum's reporting seemed controlled and lacked genuine input, particularly when its request for representation on the improvement board was ignored. Mr Wilkinson praised the proposal to include two knowledgeable young people in the committee as a positive step but criticised the Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS) draft policy for lacking true collaboration, noting a nine-month delay in its development and limited parent and carer involvement.
Kimberly Morgan, a single disabled mother to an 8-year-old son, shared her struggles with Oxfordshire County Council's EOTAS package. Despite having it since June 2024, her son lacked essential resources like textbooks. She had taken legal action due to unsatisfactory education provision. Ms Morgan criticised the decision-making process for rejecting EOTAS without proper consultation, causing delays. She found the proposed EOTAS policy inadequate and non-compliant with the law and urged the Council to consult families directly to improve the policy.
Katie N shared her experiences with the EOTAS package. She criticised the EOTAS policy for excluding young people from its creation and the Council from its outreach events. Miss Ne highlighted issues such as the lack of consultation with children and parents, the need for educational flexibility, and the mandatory inclusion of subjects like Maths and English even when triggering for the individual. She called for the policy to be redone with proper input from young people to better meet their needs.
Claire Brenner, a parent of an EOTAS primary-age child, voiced concerns about the current EOTAS policy and its development. She called for a proper co-production process, noting that the policy wrongly described EOTAS as short-term and reintegrative, akin to alternative provision. Dr Brenner cited a July 2023 Ofsted inspection highlighting undervalued co-production and unheard voices of children and young people. She urged the Council to ensure officers upheld effective co-production due to EOTAS's specialised nature and limited impact on families.
Vicki Selby, with 20 years in education policy, stressed the importance of co-production in developing the EOTAS policy, and noted that, despite her rare level of expertise, she had not been consulted. She saw EOTAS as essential for families facing significant challenges and believed it should address children's emotional, social, and psychological needs. Ms Selby called for a trauma-informed approach, involving diverse practitioners, and ensuring children feel safe and valued. She also emphasised including parents and children in the co-design of EOTAS packages to create effective educational environments.
Jules Francis-Sinclair, representing the Oxfordshire Parent Carers Forum (OxPCF), discussed the development of the EOTAS policy. She highlighted a lack of co-production, which caused distress among families. Initially committed to co-production, the Council later drafted the policy internally, frustrating families. Feedback from a September 2024 event emphasised early intervention, personalised pathways, trauma-informed practices, and better communication, but this was not integrated into the policy. Ms Francis-Sinclair urged the local authority to involve families in developing the guidance to meet their needs. OxPCF remained dedicated to advocating for parent carers and sought collaboration for an inclusive EOTAS policy.