Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2014.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 20 January 2014 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

No declarations of interest were made.

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of the Chair.

The Headteacher of the Pendlebury Centre PRU has been invited to attend the meeting and make a presentation.

Janice Cahill, Headteacher of the Pendlebury Centre attended the meeting and report on the work that the centre provided to support those pupils with mental health issues. Janice explained that students supported through the Pendlebury Centre may be in school, dually registered at school and at the centre or may be without a place in a Stockport School. Students remained within mainstream education or attended the Centre as the Centre is able to offer both outreach or off site support. She reported that Secondary Jigsaw referrals continued to increase and that funding to promote mental health within school based settings should be reviewed on a regular basis.

RESOLVED – That Janice Cahill be thanked for her attendance and presentation and that further consideration be given to the operation of Pupil Referral Units when making recommendations in the final report.

Janette Sadgrove, Behaviour Support Service and Kate Fitzhugh, Supporting Families have been invited to attend the meeting to discuss the links between the two services.

Janette Braithwaite, Behaviour Support Service and Kate Fitzhugh, Troubled Families Pathway, attended the meeting and explained how since the commencement of the review the two teams were working closely together and sharing information and on plans for further collaborative working in the future.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report outlines the various ways in which nurture groups are operate and how they can be utilised as a means to reduce exclusions.

The Scrutiny Panel is requested to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Janette Braithwaite on Tel: 437 4956 or email: janette.braithwaite@ stockport.gov.uk

Janette Braithwaite, Behaviour Support Service, submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the key characteristics associated with Nurture Groups, their benefits and how they currently work in Stockport Schools and how they could operate differently in the future.

RESOLVED – That Janette Braithwaite be thanked for her attendance and presentation and that further consideration be given to the possibility of encouraging Stockport Schools to utilise the support provided by the Behaviour Support Service with a view to expanding the use of Nurture Groups.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

A representative of the Corporate Director for People attended the meeting and explained the funding arrangements for those pupils under the threat or permanent exclusion or who had been permanently excluded.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Councillors are requested to agree a date for the next meeting to consider the draft final report and recommendations.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to make arrangements for a meeting of the Panel to be held on 23 April 2014.