Agenda item

This report outlines the approach we are planning for children not in education, employment or training in BCP, in particular to young people in care and care leavers, but also to all young people in the BCP area.

The Headteacher of the Virtual School and College presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Virtual Headteacher provided background into the role and purpose of the virtual school and advised that the purpose of the Report was to ensure that a clear local offer of the opportunities and support available to young people in BCP was publicised, allowing young people to re-engage with education, employment or training, allowing young people in BCP to go on to lead fulfilled lives and to reach their potential. This was in line with one of the strategic objectives that elected members had already supported through the 2021/24 Children and Young People’s Partnership Plan.

The Committee was advised that Pupil Premium was not allocated to post 16 young people and that the purpose of the Report was to focus on that group of pupils.

The Committee discussed the Report and comments were made, including:

·        It was highlighted that education provision for 16-18 year old did not have the same sanctions as younger pupils and that the onus was on the pupil to attend, not the parents.

·        There was some discussion about ensuring that entrance courses such as English and Maths were available to start when pupils wanted to and not just at the start of an academic year, creating more flexibility and choice for pupils to re-join or progress in higher education. The Committee was advised the aim was to ensure a clear offer was provided, which met the needs of any young person.

·        The Virtual Headteacher advised of a planned meeting with Skills and Learning to discuss using both tutors and exam centres, which would provide more flexibility in the offer, as well as providing opportunities to acquire more functional skills.

·        The Interim Corporate Director advised that Covid had challenged the way education was delivered and consideration should be given to using the model for delivering educational services moving forward.

·        The Committee was advised that post 16, a vulnerable pupil could apply for a bursary, however this was only if they were on roll at a registered post 16 provider.

·        There was some discussion on transitions and the support that was provided for pupils when moving to college or another school’s 6^th form.

·        A Member acknowledged the Report as an aspirational document but requested the Committee had sight of a detailed plan, with progress measures and specific details of what the funding had been used for, for pupils who were in the NEETS category. Action – detailed Report to come back to Committee at a future date

·        The Committee was advised that over the last year, Pupil Premium had been focused around Covid and access to learning and that this report was focused on post 16, where it was confirmed that whilst these pupils did not attract funding, funding was generated for them as and when required

·        The Committee was advised that BCP had a responsibility to provide support and opportunities for Young People and some of the plans were shared, such as work experience within the Local Authority.  The impact of work experience was discussed and it was noted that in the future, hoped apprenticeships would attract funding with individual services being required to allocate budgets were required.

·        There was some discussion over some of the data provided within the Repot and the Committee was advised that it was better to have a larger percentage of NEETs and less ‘not knowns’, as at least the service was aware of the young person and plans could be put in place to support them.

The Chair summarised the discussions as follows:

·        Sanctions for people who find themselves as NEETS

·        Enable young people to start courses when needed

·        Working with Skills and Learning, to include providing functional skills

·        Bursary money for post 16.

·        Detailed plan to come back in the future

·        Funding that may be needed in the future when moving to apprenticeships.

RECOMMENDED that the Committee:

         i.           Acknowledged the support given to the development of a comprehensive universal NEETS offer for young people in BCP between the age of 16 and 24 who need education, employment and/or training.

        ii.           That Vulnerable young people including children in care and care leavers were made a bespoke offer; and

      iii.           A re-engagement programme for those young people that were NEET was developed and implemented.