Issue - meetings

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

Officers provided an overview of the report contained within the agenda pack.

Members referred to page 379 of the report and asked if the caseload numbers were as expected and how Neath Port Talbot compared to other local authorities

Officers advised members that, as a new service there was no expectation of case load numbers. There was initially one Case Assessment and Progression Officer, and this has increased as the demand has increased. The number of staff in post is manageable compared to the caseload. Two members of staff are due to commence maternity leave, and cases will be reallocated amongst the team, which will mean an increased work demand, but this was felt to be manageable. The service will grow further as it becomes embedded into schools.

Members questioned how referrals were made into the service and what were the ages of pupils being referred.

Officers confirmed that schools made a referral when children were identified where support was not in place and children were not progressing or exclusions were increasing. Where pupils have been permanently excluded, this is identified automatically as part of the process. Initially the pupils were from years 10 and 11 but as the service has embedded into schools there has been an increase in referrals for years 8 and 9. The service aims to be proactive rather than reactive. Schools can make referrals, but part of the remit of the service is to ensure that schools are also fulfilling their responsibilities.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.