Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence received.

Apologies were received from Cllr Bolton and Cllr Westbrook. Cllr Brooks chaired the meeting and Cllr Edgar was in attendance as the Conservative deputy.

All Members who believe they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that interest and, having regard to Part 3 Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members’ Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore all Members with a Personal Interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider, having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 4 of the Code, whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, consider whether it is appropriate to leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3, Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

None were received.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and agreed.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

No deputations were received.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman had no announcements to make.

To receive a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services in relation to Post 16 Education.

The Education Advisory Panel received a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services in relation to the education of 16 & 17 year olds.

The panel heard how young people have a choice of how they continue in education or training post-16; study in a school or college, full time work or volunteering alongside part-time education or an apprenticeship.

The panel noted the Hampshire Skills Strategy & Investment Plan which set a vision for 2030 and established three priorities. These included;

• Priority 1 – A future-ready Hampshire – matching skills supply and demand and driving forward productivity for a prosperous and resilient economy.
• Priority 2 – An inclusive local labour market that develops talent and maximises opportunity for all our communities.
• Priority 3 – A high quality skills infrastructure and facilities to raise aspiration and achievement; meet employer demnd and create industry standard training in our post 16 sector.

In response to questions members heard that;

• Many 16 & 17 year olds retake English and Maths GCSEs
• Extra support is provided for Care Leavers and a ‘Virtual College’ is being established to support them.

Resolved: That the Education Advisory Panel note the contents of the report.

To receive a report from the Director of Children’s Services in relation to the Education of Looked After Children.

The Education Advisory Panel received a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services in relation to the education of Looked After Children. The Panel received an overview of the role of the Virtual School, which works proactively with others to create a culture of high expectation and aspiration for Looked After Children. The Virtual School also ensures that each child has a Personal Education Plan which identifies their individual needs and helps to act as the Corporate Parent for these children.

The Panel received an overview of the performance results for Children in Care alongside a detailed list of the current priorities for the Virtual School and Looked After Children.

In response to questions members heard that;

• Schools for Looked After Children are selected based on guidance from the Department for Education, and therefore children are not evenly spread between schools.
• Independent Reviewing Officers can make suggestions in relation to school placements which are considered carefully.
• The system used for allocating funding for schools is regularly reviewed to ensure it is effective.

Resolved: That the Education Advisory Panel note the contents of the report.