To
select appropriate items from the Cabinet Board agenda for Pre-Decision Scrutiny
(Cabinet Board reports included for Scrutiny Members)
Decision:
Employability Hub in Aberavon Shopping Centre.
Following scrutiny, members were supportive of
the recommendations to be considered by Cabinet Board.
Quarter 4 Performance Indicators
Following scrutiny, members noted the item for
information.
Minutes:
Employability Hub in Aberavon Shopping Centre.
The Officer gave an overview of the report as
detailed in the circulated Cabinet Board agenda pack.
Members supported the recommendation and
commented that it was right to maintain a presence in the shopping centre where
there was footfall. Members thanked
officers and staff for their work in making the Hub a success but questioned
whether there were plans to open a similar hub in Neath to serve Neath and
Swansea Valley communities. Officers confirmed that the possibility of opening
further hubs at Neath and Pontardawe libraries was being explored; if agreed,
the hubs would replicate the services offered in the Port Talbot Hub.
Following scrutiny, members were supportive of
the recommendations to be considered by Cabinet Board.
Quarter 4 Performance Indicators
Members acknowledged that absenteeism was not
only a local issue but also a national one. The monitoring of school attendance
is required as many pupils have missed a considerable amount of school due to
the pandemic; this may have an impact on groups of pupils, particularly those
who are currently studying for and taking examinations.
The Head of Service gave an overview of
exclusions which has contributed to the attendance issues. Neath Port Talbot
has a high level of exclusions with 677 pupils receiving a fixed term exclusion
this academic year; missing approximately 3200 days of learning, this has added
to the attendance issue. All schools are working to bring children back into
school, but it was acknowledged that families also need support as family based
activity is a contributing factor in non-attendance.
In relation to permanent exclusions,
consultations are being undertaken regarding a proposal to form an All Wales
Panel; this expert panel would discuss whether a child can return to school
following multiple permanent exclusions. There are positive and negative
consequences to this proposal, it would ensure an all Wales approach but there
would be additional pressures on governing bodies. More information will be
provided when it is available.
The Head of Service stated that there was a link
between exclusions and attendance; in Neath Port Talbot, 277 pupils have been
excluded three or four times. To address this, there are plans for teams of
officers to attend secondary schools in September to meet with at least 10
children whose attendance is 80% or less, from every school. Officers from
Educational Psychology, School Based Counselling Service and Education Welfare
Service will work with pupils and support them with any issues which may
contribute to their non-attendance. This approach has been reported to and is
supported by NAASH. It is hoped that as the officers will be independent of the
school community, they will be able to work with children to support them and
learn lessons on what Neath Port Talbot may be able to do differently. The
outcome of this work will be brought back to this committee.
There is a huge amount of work going on behind
the scene in Neath Port Talbot to improve attendance, however, there is not a
one size fits all solution and it will take time before improvements are seen.
It was acknowledged that pupils from year nine have been adversely affected due
to the period of school that they missed during the pandemic. The Head of
Service mentioned many forthcoming areas of change such as; examination
changes, the roll out of the new curriculum for Wales, Additional Learning
Needs reform and the ability to recruit high quality staff and noted that in
addition to these changes the family behind the child needs help, not just the
child.
Following scrutiny, members noted the item for
information.