Agenda item

This report sets out a summary of the proposed Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill and the implications for Medway Council.

Discussion:

The Committee received a report on the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill and was informed that there were seven key parts to the Bill which were highlighted in the presentation.

The Assistant Director of Education and SEND proposed that due to the changes relating to Elective Home Education (EHE) coupled with the fact that there had been notable increase to the number of children being EHE, a mini review be conducted to gain a better understanding of the reasons behind the choice made to EHE.

It was proposed that that the mini review consist of 1 representative Member from each political party and 1 Co-Opted Member, in this instance, the Medway Parent Carer Forum (MPCF) to work with officers, with proposed completion of the review by October 2025 and findings to be reported back to the Committee.

The Democratic Services Officer clarified that this was an officer led mini review, and this sat outside of the Councils Task and Finish Group Reviews, for which there was already an agreed protocol.

Financial Implications – it was asked what financial implications would arise as a result of the Bill and what work was being undertaken with other parts of the sector that may be impacted. The Committee was informed that there would be financial implications and regardless of the current financial envelope in place, delivery of services would have to be transformed. Work would be undertaken with partners to establish a Child Protection Multiagency which would be a change in culture due to alterations that would have to be made to ways of working. There would also be additional costs and limitations in resources to be mindful of.

Concern was raised regarding funding to support the proposals of the Bid, due to budget constraints faced by many Councils in discharging their statutory duties. The Committee was informed that details of funding guidance to support this had yet to materialise as the Bill was still going through the necessary process.

Suitability of Elective Home Education- in response to a comment that EHE was suitable for some children’s individual needs, it was clarified that the Bill did not seek to remove rights from parents to EHE in instances where it was being done well. It sought to address issues where children may be at risk or known to children’s social care, or where the education they received at home was not appropriate as presently the Local Authority had limited powers to intervene. The additional duties associated with the proposals were welcomed and it was acknowledged that as a result, there would be an increase in children returning to the school environment. The service would have to work closely with schools to understand needs and ensure that schools and families were appropriately supported.

Decision:

a)     The Committee noted the report

b)     The Committee agreed for a mini review led by the Assistant Director of Education and SEND into Elective Home Education to be conducted, with findings to be reported back to the Committee.