Agenda item

To advise members of the work that has taken place to increase the number of children in care accessing apprenticeships and how the Virtual School have supported those young people who have not achieved GCSE results at a high enough grade to access an apprenticeship.

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

The purpose of the report was to provide an update on the work that had taken place to increase the number of children in care accessing apprenticeships and how the Virtual School had supported those young people who had not achieved GCSE results at a high enough grade to access an apprenticeship.

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

• The extended role and duty of the virtual school was discussed and clarified, and it was noted that it extended to all pupils who had a social worker, whether it be children in need, children on a child protection plan and children in care.  However, it was noted that the role was different for those children in care where funded was provided via Pupil Premium.  It was advised that for children in need or on child protection plans, the support provided would be at a strategic level with no assigned caseworker
• In response to a query, the Committee was advised that in relation to the Post 16 cohort and the course they were looking to provide, it would initially be piloted with the children in care, but it could be opened up to more young people who were in contact with a social worker, if funding could be sourced in the future
• A Member advised she requested this on the Forward Plan some tie ago, but the focus was different to what she was really interested in where a pupil did not get the relevant GSCE requirement, or equivalent to progress in education, took time away then wanted to retake in an easily accessible and flexible program to get the the necessary qualifications to progress their education or employment opportunities.
• The Committee was advised that there was courses available through Skills and Learning, but they were for 19 year olds and over who would be assessed and taken in on one of the three intakes throughout the year.  The Committee was reassured that in relation to children in care, these restrictions weren’t there as funding was available to enable the fast track of pupils through the functional skills course detailed in the report.
• The Virtual Headteacher advised she would discuss this issue with the Skills and Learning manager to see if accessibility and flexibility could be increased for all post 16 pupils. ACTION – add to action plan
• In response to a query regarding partners to work with for apprenticeships, the Committee was advised the Virtual Headteacher was working closely with the Dorset Chamber of Business and had a good relationship with local businesses.  However, they did struggle to find college or education providers to accredit the apprenticeships.  They would welcome any discussions with local business to promote and progress apprenticeships.
• Two Committee Members, one who managed leisure centres and one who was the Chairman of Seascape advised they would welcome apprentices and the Virtual Headteacher advised she would make contact to discuss further. ACTION – add to the action sheet.
• There was a discussion over the low numbers of apprenticeships being taken up at the Council and the Virtual Headteacher clarified that the report only referred to children in care and care leavers and there was difficulties was finding industries and apprenticeships the young people were interested in.
• The impact of covid was discussed, including many employees still working from home in a flexible manner, making offering work experience more challenging for employers.

The Chair summarised the discussions as follows:

• Extended role of the virtual school and college
• Barriers to getting right qualifications or moving into apprenticeships
• Covid and the increase in my flexible working.

RESOLVED that the Committee note the content of the report as an update regarding the work that the Virtual school had undertaken to increase the number of children in care accessing apprenticeships.