Issue - meetings

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

The Head of Education Development provided a brief overview of the reports contained within the agenda pack, the five Service Improvement plans sit below the Directorate Improvement Plan and link into the Corporate Improvement Plan.

Members referred to the mention of coffee mornings for electively home-schooled children and enquired about the level of engagement. Members commented that the numbers of electively home-schooled children was increasing and there was concern regarding the lack of monitoring and overview.

The Head of Education Development confirmed that on average, 30 to 40 families attend each session. The sessions are jointly run in partnership with health, police and Careers Wales. The college have attended sessions and provided a variety of roadshows such as knife crime, scooter safety, internet safety and learning through play which some families may not receive outside of the school system.

Members questioned what percentage of the electively home-schooled families attended the coffee morning sessions. It was noted that there was no register, and this is an issue.

The Head of Education Development advised members that the percentage of families attending from the whole home-schooled family population was unknown. Welsh Government guidance is followed and it is hoped that more families will attend in future.

Members asked for clarification on the risk assessments contained within the report, and how they are used for monitoring.

The Director of Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning confirmed that there are Service Improvement Plans for all accountable managers within the Directorate and the risks are assessed within teams. The Service Improvement Plans are aggregated into the Coordinator Service Improvement Plans, which in turn are aggregated to the Directorate Risk Register.

The member requested to meet with officers outside of the meeting for further clarification.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.