Alternative Provision (AP)& Permanent

ExclusionsAgenda Item 7b

Forecast Budget Pressures and Solutions

Secondary Pupils in AP Placements - 13-14 to 14-15

Num

ber

of P

upils

Permanent Exclusions

• Northants is experiencing a significant increase in the numbers of excluded pupils at both primary and secondary

• In addition the data above would indicate that more secondary pupils are being retained in AP provision. Re-integration back into mainstream provision also has a major impact on costs in this area. More analysis will be undertaken on this aspect.

Permanent Exclusions

• AP DSG budget of £3.1 million

• In 13/14 an under spend of £427k was achieved

• In 14/15 the projected outturn is a £22k overspend

• In 15/16 We forecast an overspend of £408k if no action is taken

Budget Projections

13-14 outturn

14-15 Actuals to Nov, Estimate to Mar

15-16 Estimate

Budget 3,229,426 3,119,426 3,119,426

DSG recoupment -1,840,000 -1,840,000 -2,108,333

Net budget available 1,389,426 1,279,426 1,011,093

Plus clawbacks 628,990 646,131 746,131

Available funding 2,018,416 1,925,557 1,757,224

AP payments 1,591,389 1,817,962 1,682,066

Other Provisions – Prim & Sec 130,000 483,976

Estimated year end position -427,027 22,405 408,818

Notes on table above

• The EFA have proposed that the AP lump sum increases from £8k to £10k from September 2015. If agreed there will be a corresponding reduction in the AP top up rate to offset this increase.

• New provision is being created at both primary and secondary level following a recent procurement exercise

Notes on table above

• The new provision for up to 16 permanently excluded pupils in key stages 1 and 2 will ensure that we are able to place children appropriately and undertake work to enable them to return to mainstream schools within one school year

• The new provision for up to 20 permanently excluded pupils at key stage 3 and 4 will ensure there is increased diversity as well as sufficient supply to cope with the increased demand that is in evident

Reducing Permanent Exclusions

The Council recognises that it is preferable to support schools to avoid permanent exclusions wherever possible. The Council has commissioned Maplefields School and Kings Meadow School to provide initial support to all primary schools who have a child at risk of permanent exclusion. The Council is also working with four primary schools through the Social, Emotional and Mental Health Panel to ensure nurture groups and consultation provision for pupils at risk of permanent exclusion. exclusions.

 

Reducing Permanent Exclusions

The Council will be developing plans jointly with secondary school Head Teachers so that both the Council and individual schools have a joined up approach to avoiding permanent exclusions.

 

Models from Other LAs• Derby: Schools Forum created a sub group of heads who

recommended full year charge £25k and 2 PRU places per school on a rotating basis.

• Notts: Schools Forum has approved a cost recovery mechanism (CRM) secondary & Primary schools for permanently excluded pupils.

• Leics: Schools Forum signed up to the original principles of budgets devolved to area behaviour partnerships led by schools. An SLA with each of the five lead schools (one from each area) who chair the partnerships and co-ordinate the administration. Quarterly performance reporting to Forum.

Overview• More pupils are being excluded at both primary and secondary

• New provision is being created at primary with a key aim of reintegration

• Alternative AP provision is being created at secondary to deal with increases and widen choice

• Additional numbers and increased hours are increasing costs of Alternative Provision

• AP Costs are increasing since 2013-14 by £400k/£500k p.a. -fortunately in 2013-14 there was a £400k underspend.

• The LA will work with schools to identify how best to reduce the number of future permanent exclusions

Current clawbacks See below extract from high needs funding guidance –

Following changes discussed at Schools Forum in July 2014 the clawback applied via the schools transfers process to all primary, secondary and special schools who permanently exclude a pupil is as follows:

a) Lump sum charge of £3,000 per pupil permanently excludedb) AWPU deduction pro rata on the number of school weeks from

the date of permanent exclusion to the end of the local authority financial year (i.e 31 March)

Proposal• To increase clawback charge a) by £2,000 to £5,000 per child

for Primary and Secondary to cover budget shortfall.

• We think the above is fairer than for example reducing the schools formula AWPU values for schools as funding formula changes would impact on all schools as opposed to increasing the claw back charge which solely impacts on schools who permanently exclude

• There are options regarding from when the increased charge should apply. The 1st April 2015 is proposed but could this lead to more exclusions in March to avoid the increased charge?