Agenda item

9.1

9.2

9.3

9.4

9.4.1

9.4.2

9.4.3

The Committee received a report of the Commissioning Officer, Integrated Commissioning. The report set out the Exclusion Prevention Alternative Provision (AP) service and described how the services have been delivered to date.

This report then set out the proposal to commission a new Exclusion Prevention Alternative Provision service which will commence from April 2024, with additional capacity and improvements to the delivery model, to better meet the needs of children and young people and further prevent exclusion.

Members asked that an addition to the recommendations be made, as follows:

‘has experience or a track record of working with young people from communities least served.'

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Education, Children and Families Policy Committee: -

-       approves the commissioning of Exclusion Prevention Alternative Provision from an external provider which has experience or a track record of working with young people from communities least served for a period of three years and for an estimated value of £1.5m, as set out in this report, with the ability to increase capacity by up to £900,000 if additional funding can be identified.

Reasons for Decision

We recommend that an Exclusion Prevention Alternative Provision Service is commissioned from an external provider for a period of three years, in order to support vulnerable children to develop social and emotional skills and resilience to help them engage with learning and avoid exclusion.

This approach is in line with the proposed future model of delivery reviewed by Committee in January 2023, which recommends, among multiple strands of AP, targeted short term provision to assess and address the risks of exclusion.

The intended impact of the proposed commission is:

• Exclusion will be prevented for at least 85% children supported.

• A reduction in suspensions and improved attendance for children supported.

• Schools will have increased knowledge, skills, and capacity to meet the needs of children at risk of exclusion.

• Children will tell us they feel better able to cope at school, engage with learning and have a greater sense of belonging.

• Parents and schools will see positive change in their children.

• Reduced number of full-time places required at Sheffield Inclusion Centre (currently 300).

If this proposal is approved, members will be kept up to date on progress via member briefings, and further updates as required.

9.1

9.2

9.3

9.4

9.4.1

9.4.2

9.4.3

The Committee received a report of the Commissioning Officer, Integrated Commissioning. The report set out the Exclusion Prevention Alternative Provision (AP) service and described how the services have been delivered to date.

This report then set out the proposal to commission a new Exclusion Prevention Alternative Provision service which will commence from April 2024, with additional capacity and improvements to the delivery model, to better meet the needs of children and young people and further prevent exclusion.

Members asked that an addition to the recommendations be made, as follows:

‘has experience or a track record of working with young people from communities least served.'

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Education, Children and Families Policy Committee: -

-       approves the commissioning of Exclusion Prevention Alternative Provision from an external provider which has experience or a track record of working with young people from communities least served for a period of three years and for an estimated value of £1.5m, as set out in this report, with the ability to increase capacity by up to £900,000 if additional funding can be identified.

Reasons for Decision

We recommend that an Exclusion Prevention Alternative Provision Service is commissioned from an external provider for a period of three years, in order to support vulnerable children to develop social and emotional skills and resilience to help them engage with learning and avoid exclusion.

This approach is in line with the proposed future model of delivery reviewed by Committee in January 2023, which recommends, among multiple strands of AP, targeted short term provision to assess and address the risks of exclusion.

The intended impact of the proposed commission is:

• Exclusion will be prevented for at least 85% children supported.

• A reduction in suspensions and improved attendance for children supported.

• Schools will have increased knowledge, skills, and capacity to meet the needs of children at risk of exclusion.

• Children will tell us they feel better able to cope at school, engage with learning and have a greater sense of belonging.

• Parents and schools will see positive change in their children.

• Reduced number of full-time places required at Sheffield Inclusion Centre (currently 300).

If this proposal is approved, members will be kept up to date on progress via member briefings, and further updates as required.