Issue - meetings
Review of the Inclusion and Alternative Education, Behaviour and Attendance Service
Meeting: 09/12/2013 - Executive (Item 11)
11 Amalgamation of the Pupil Referral Units 
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Following the recent restructure of the Council’s alternative education, behaviour and attendance services in the Children and Families Department, the Executive is now asked to approve formally the amalgamation of the Council’s Key Stage 3 (Stag Lane) and Key Stage 4 (Poplar Grove) Pupil Referral Units as part of the restructure.
Decision:
that the formal amalgamation of the Council’s Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) as part of the restructuring of the borough’s alternative education provision be agreed.
Minutes:
Following the recent restructure of the council’s alternative education, behaviour and attendance services in the Children and Families Department, the report before the Executive asked for formal approval of the amalgamation of the Council’s Key Stage 3 (Stag Lane) and Key Stage 4 (Poplar Grove) Pupil Referral Units as part of the restructure. Councillor Pavey (Lead Member, Children and Families) stated that the proposals were essential to the Children and Families offer and to meet the need for a strategy of high quality interventions. He assured that neither the Stag Lane nor Popular Grove premises would close however there would be a net loss of nine staff members. The Trade Unions had been involved in the process. The proposals would bring about closer partnership working and involve more preventative work.
Councillor Mashari (Lead Member, Environment and Neighbourhoods) sought assurance that measures would be in place on the Poplar Grove site to protect staff and students from the influence of gangs in the area. The Acting Director Children and Families acknowledged that this was an ever present issue under active consideration which required sensitive handling. Dealing with challenging behaviour was fundamental to staff training and the staff pupil ratio would still be good following the proposed staffing reductions.
RESOLVED:
that the formal amalgamation of the Council’s Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) as part of the restructuring of the borough’s alternative education provision be agreed.