Issue - items at meetings - KD 4339 Education Services: a new model of delivery

Issue - meetings

KD 4339 Education Services: a new model of delivery

Meeting: 16/08/2016 - Cabinet (Item 7)

7 Education Services: a new model of service delivery pdf icon PDF 458 KB

A report from the Chief Education Officer is attached. This proposes a new model of service delivery. (Key decision – reference number 4339)

(Report No.53)

(8.20 –  8.30 pm)

Minutes:

Councillor Ayfer Orhan (Cabinet Member for Education, Children’s Services and Protection) introduced the report of the Chief Education Officer (No.53) proposing a new model of service delivery for education services.

 

NOTED

 

1.               Councillor Orhan highlighted the excellent and well-established Education Services in Enfield working in partnership with schools to bring about continued improvement. The skilled staff and quality provision provided by them was recognised. The ongoing reduction of funds to the Council and the proposed changes to the schools’ funding formula were placing increasing pressure on Education Services’ budgets.

 

2.               That the report sought approval to investigate alternative models of service delivery that would still enable the council to work with all schools, whatever their status, as set out in the report.

 

3.               The proposed phased approach as set out in section 3 of the report. During phase 1 the following services had been identified for inclusion within the shadow structure: school improvement service; schools personnel service; behaviour support service; and, early years. It was proposed that “Ensen” would be registered as a not for profit company as soon as possible with marketing to be launched in September 2016 and with a view to trading under this name from April 2017.

 

4.               Jenny Tosh (Chief Education Officer) reiterated the reasons for the proposals, set out in full in the report, which would provide an opportunity to build on and further strengthen the best of Enfield Education Services working in partnership with schools and providers. Consultation had also taken place with other Local Education Authorities to inform the proposed way forward.

 

Alternative Options Considered: NOTED that the alternative options considered were set out in full in section 4 of the report and covered the following:

·       Continue with the current Education Services/do nothing

·       Immediately cease all services except statutory duties

·       Outsourcing/Privatisation of services

·       Joint working with other local authorities

·       Supporting a schools company

 

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed that the Chief Education Officer:

 

1.               Set up a shadow board, to be called Ensen, as part of the portfolio in Education Services for 2016/17, maintaining the existing budgetary and employment arrangements for 2016/17, therefore enabling the Education Services to fulfil the current Service Level Agreements with schools.

 

2.               Develop a full business plan to be operational from 2017/18 to address the future financial viability of the company. This would also include a marketing strategy within and outside Enfield so that schools and settings were clear about the traded offer from Ensen from April 2017.

 

3.               Ensure that Ensen, as a key part of Education Services, contributed to delivering the council savings agreed in the Medium Term Financial Plan.

 

4.               In consultation with the Director of Children’s Services and Cabinet Member for Education, Children’s Services and Protection to:

 

·       Investigate the range of possible legal structures and propose the most appropriate model

·       Propose the structure and operating principles of Ensen

·       Consult with schools and council partners and other stakeholders regarding the proposal

 

5.               Produce a follow up report to Cabinet setting out  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7