Decision details

The Cabinet Member for Children and Education approves:

1.    Transitional funding of £282,544 to Ormiston Academy Trust for the delivery of Alternative Provision in H&F.

2.    The revised top-up rate for Alternative Provision of £14,521 with spend up to £769,613 for the academic year 01/09/2022-31/08/2023.

3.    The revised top-up rate for EHC provision of £24,521 with spend up to £269,731 for the academic year 01/09/2022-31/08/2023.

4.    The direct award of a one-year contract from the 01/09/2022-31/08/2023 to Ormiston Academy Trust for the provision of a Behaviour and Reintegration Support Outreach Service at a total cost of £310,000.

1.    The Council has a statutory responsibility to ensure that there is an adequate supply of good quality Alternative Provision (AP) as per Section 19 of the Education Act 1996, as amended by section 3A of the Children, Schools and Families Act 2010; and that all children and young people of compulsory school age have access to a school or a form of Alternative Provision.

2.    There is no suitable or appropriate alternative or substitute in the borough that could deliver this service. Whilst the Council do commission a small number of alternative provision places from Westside school for vulnerable students; overall spaces are limited, and this provision would not have the capacity to deliver the requirements of the full AP service in H&F. OAT is an established and experienced local provider of AP with a vast amount of local knowledge.

Option 1: Agree to the transition funding proposals (Recommended)

The Local Authority has a statutory duty to commission suitable alternative provision places. This option will ensure the continued delivery of this provision, delivery of the agreed savings, whilst allowing the provider sufficient time to deliver the efficiencies.

Option 2: Do not agree to the transition funding proposals (Not recommended)

The Local Authority would be in breach of its statutory duties resulting in significant gaps in provision and challenge. Alternative placements would need to be sought for children and young people within the independent sector causing significant disruption to children and young people. This would be at a far higher cost which would result in a further pressure to the High Needs Block and non-delivery of the agreed Safety Valve savings target.