(Public Pack)Agenda Document for Education, Skills and Culture

AGENDA

EDUCATION, SKILLS AND CULTURE CABINET BOARD

Immediately Following Scrutiny Committee on THURSDAY, 7 DECEMBER 2017

COUNCIL CHAMBER - PORT TALBOT CIVIC CENTRE

1. To agree the Chairperson for this Meeting

2. To receive any declarations of interests from Members

3. To receive the Minutes of the Education, Skills and Culture Cabinet Board held on 9 November 2017 (Pages 5 - 10)

4. Forward Work Programme 2017-18 (Pages 11 - 14)

To receive the Reports of the Head of Transformation

5. Internal arrangements for Families First Funded Services (Pages 15 - 24)

6. Admission to Community Schools: 2019/2020 (Pages 25 - 52)

7. Governance Arrangement for the New 3-16 All-Through School Replacing Groes Primary and Dyffryn Comprehensive Schools (Pages 53 - 58)

To receive the Reports of the Head of Participation

8. Quarterly Performance Management Data - 1 April 2017- 30 September 2017 (Pages 59 - 72)

9. Ongoing delivery of the UK Governments Work Programme (Pages 73 - 78)

10. Annual Report on Young People who are not in Education, Employment or Training 2017 (NEETs) (Pages 79 - 90)

11. Skills and Training Update (Pages 91 - 96)

12. Youth Service Update 2017 (Pages 97 - 140)

13. Ongoing delivery of the UK Governments Work Programme (Pages 141 - 146)

14. Any urgent items (whether public or exempt) at the discretion of the Chairman pursuant to Statutory Instrument 2001 No 2290 (as amended).

15. Access to Meetings - to resolve to exclude the public for the following items pursuant to Regulation 4 (3) and (5) of Statutory Instrument 2001 No.2290 and the relevant exempt paragraph/s of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

To receive the Private Report of the Head of Transformation and the Head of Property and Regeneration

16. Proposed Renewal of the Lease and Service Level Agreement to the Field Studies Council at Margam Discovery Centre and to agree variations to the current lease. (Pages 147 - 166)

S.Phillips Chief Executive

Civic Centre Port Talbot 1 December 2017

Cabinet Board Members:

Councillors: A.R.Lockyer and P.A.Rees

Notes:

(1) If any Cabinet Board Member is unable to attend, any other Cabinet Member may substitute as a voting Member on the Committee. Members are asked to make these arrangements direct and then to advise the committee Section.

(2) The views of the earlier Scrutiny Committee are to be taken into account in arriving at decisions (pre decision scrutiny process).

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EXECUTIVE DECISION RECORD

CABINET BOARD - 9 NOVEMBER 2017

EDUCATION, SKILLS AND CULTURE

Cabinet Board Members:

Councillors: P.A.Rees (Chairperson), A.R.Lockyer, and A.J.Taylor

Officers in Attendance:

A.Evans, A.Thomas, R.Gordon, R.Crowhurst, I.Guy and J.Woodman-Ralph

1. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRPERSON

Agreed that Councillor P.A.Rees be appointed Chairperson for the meeting.

2. MEMBERS' DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

The following Member made a declaration of interest at the start of the item:-

Cllr.P.A.Rees re: the Report of the Head of Transformation re: Primary Inclusion and Assessment Centre (PIAC) at Coedffranc Primary School, as he is a school governor at Crynallt Primary School.

3. MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION, SKILLS AND CULTURE CABINET BOARD HELD ON THE 12 OCTOBER 2017

Noted by the Committee.

4. FORWARD WORK PROGRAMME 17 - 18

Noted by Committee

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5. REVIEW OF THE STRATEGIC SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME

Decision:

That the report be noted.

6. PRIMARY INCLUSION AND ASSESSMENT CENTRE (PIAC) AT COEDFFRANC PRIMARY SCHOOL

(Cllr. P.A.Rees declared an interest at this point and withdrew from the meeting. Cllr.A.J.Taylor substituted for this item only.)

Decision:

That having given due regard to the impact assessments, in particular the equality, risk and Welsh Language assessments and in line with Section 48 of the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 approval be granted to publish the statutory proposal to establish specialist provision for primary age pupils with social emotional and behavioural difficulties at Coedffranc Primary School and at Crynallt Primary School, on the 10 November 2017, as contained within the circulated report.

Reason for Decision:

To enable the authority to comply with the formal publication requirements of the School Organisation Code and associated legislation. Implementation of the proposal will enable the Council to promote high educational standards and the fulfilment of every child’s potential. Also, to enable the authority to meet its duty to secure efficient education in its area.

Implementation of Decision:

That the decision is for immediate implementation. The Chairperson of Scrutiny Committee had agreed to this course of action and therefore there would be no call-in of these decisions.

Consultation

Consultation has taken place on this item.

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7. STRATEGIC SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME - FUTURE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION IN THE UPPER AFAN VALLEY

Decisions:

1. That having given due regard to the impact assessments as contained within the circulated report and in line with Section 48 of School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 approval be granted to undertake consultation on the future of secondary education in the Upper Afan Valley under a proposal to make arrangements for pupils who would otherwise attend Cymer Afan Comprehensive School to receive their secondary education at Ysgol Newydd Margam and to close Cymer Afan Comprehensive School as from 1 September 2019.

2. That the consultation commences on the 11 December 2017 until the 14 February 2018 and includes the:

 Maintenance Schedule of Cymer Afan Comprehensive School;  Transport Analysis;  Community Impact Assessment;  and any other information required by Members of the Education, Skills and Culture Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet Board.

Reason for Decisions:

To enable the authority to comply with the formal consultation required of the Council by the School Organisation Code.

Implementation of Decisions:

The decision will be implemented after the three day call in period.

8. GOVERNANCE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE NEW 3 - 11 PRIMARY SCHOOL REPLACING BRYNHYFRYD, LLANSAWEL AND YNYSMAERDY PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Members received a verbal amendment at the meeting that the name of the school was Ysgol Carreg Hir and not as detailed in the circulated report.

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Decisions:

1. That the Instrument of Government as contained in Appendix A to the circulated report be approved with the incorporation date of the 1 November 2018, creating a permanent Governing Body;

2. That the name of the school be Ysgol Carreg Hir.

Reason for Decisions:

To enable to authority to comply with the legislative requirements for the establishment of a new school.

Implementation of Decisions:

The decision will be implemented after the three day call in period.

9. LOCAL AUTHORITY PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT SPORTS WALES

Decision:

That the report be noted.

10. MARGAM BUSINESS PLAN

Decisions:

1. That the Margam Country Park Business Plan as detailed in the circulated report be approved;

2. That Delegated Authority be granted to the Head of Transformation and Head of Property and Regeneration in consultation with the Head of Legal Services and Head of ICT and Procurement to embark on tender exercises for the appointment of external providers or to negotiate with any external providers to fulfil any obligations in the Action Plan incorporated in the Margam County Park Business Plan.

Reason for the Decisions:

To enable the Council to explore commercial opportunities to generate income that will support a more sustainable business model for the Country Park and reduce reliance on Council subsidies.

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Implementation of Decisions:

That the decision will be implemented after the three day call in period.

11. WELSH IN EDUCATION STRATEGIC PLAN

Members were supportive of the request made by the Education, Skills and Culture Scrutiny Committee held prior to this meeting for the report containing the results of the consultation to be brought back to the Education, Skills and Culture Cabinet Board on the 12 January 2018 for consideration prior to commending to Council on the 18 January 2018.

Decision:

That approval be granted to undertake further consultation on the amendments highlighted in Appendix 1 to the circulated report from the previously submitted plan for a period of 4 weeks commencing the 10 November 2017 until the 7 December 2017. In addition, that the outcome of the consultation be brought back to the Education, Skills and Culture Cabinet Board on the 12 January 2018 for consideration prior to commending to Council on the 18 January 2018.

Reason for Decision:

To enable the authority to undertake its statutory requirements to re- consult on the WESP 2017 – 2020.

Implementation of Decision:

That the decision is for immediate implementation. The Chairperson of Scrutiny Committee had agreed to this course of action and therefore there would be no call-in of these decisions.

12. ACCESS TO MEETINGS

Decision:

That pursuant to Regulation 4 (3) and (5) of Statutory Instrument 2001 No. 2290, the public be excluded for the following item of business which involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 12 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

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13. CELTIC LEISURE ANNUAL REPORT (EXEMPT UNDER PARAGRAPH 14)

Decision:

That the report be noted.

14. CELTIC LEISURE QUARTER 1 PERFORMANCE REPORT (EXEMPT UNDER PARAGRAPH 14)

Decision:

That the report be noted.

CHAIRPERSON

91117 Page 10

2017/2018 FORWARD WORK PLAN (DRAFT) EDUCATION, SKILLS AND CULTURE CABINET BOARD Rotation Contact Officer/ Type (Topical, Head of Service (Decision, Annual, DATE Agenda Items Monitoring Biannual, or Quarterly, Information) Monthly)

Decision Annual A.Evans C.Millis Directorate Development Plan A.Thomas

Education Development Service Delivery Monitoring Annual C.Millis/Mike Daley Plan – Update

Page 11 Page 12 Jan 2018 (Special) Financing Schools – Reviewing the Decision Topical Richard Gordon Funding Formula to Raise Standards Andrew Thomas

Strategic School Improvement Programme Decision Topical Richard Gordon – Proposal to Establish Specialist Provision Andrew Thomas for Primary Age Pupils with Social

Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties Agenda Item 4

Andrew Thomas/ Inclusion Update Report Information Topical Hayley Lervy

Rotation Contact Type (Topical, Officer/ (Decision, Annual, Head of DATE Agenda Items Monitoring or Biannual, Service Information) Quarterly, Monthly)

School Improvement Performance, Information Annual H.Morgan- Priorities and Capacity Rees

Inclusion Strategy Decision Annual Hayley Lervy/ Andrew Thomas

Celtic Leisure Half Year Performance Monitor 6 Monthly C.Millis/ 25 Jan 18 Review 17/18 Paul Walker

Wayne John

Page 12 Page Welsh Public Libraries Standards Information Annual Annual Report

Annual Pupil Performance including Key Monitoring Annual Carl Glover/ Stage 4 Data C.Millis School Attendance Report for Academic Information Annual John Burge/ Year to include Penalty Notice Numbers. Andrew Thomas Welsh in Education Strategic Plan Decision Annual (Results of Consultation) (for Commending Aled Evans to Council)

Rotation Contact Type (Topical, Officer/ Head (Decision, Annual, of Service DATE Agenda Items Monitoring or Biannual, Information) Quarterly, Monthly)

Performance Monitoring Report (Quarter 3) Monitoring Quarterly C.Millis/Paul Walker

School Attendance John Burge/

(6 Monthly Update Report) Monitoring 6 Monthly Andrew Thomas

ASC/ Chris Millis Play Sufficiency Update Information Annual 15 Feb ASC/ Childcare Sufficiency Report Information Annual Chris Millis

Page 13 Page ASC/ Families First Annual Report and Budget Monitoring Annual Chris Millis Update – including TAF

ASC/ Flying Start Annual Report and Budget Monitoring Annual Chris Millis Update

ASC/ Family Information Service Information Annual Chris Millis

Childcare Facilities within Schools Information Annual C.Millis

Rotation Contact Officer/ Type (Topical, Head of Service (Decision, Annual, DATE Agenda Items Monitoring or Biannual, Information) Quarterly, Monthly) School Admissions Policy 19/20 Decision Annual Helen Lewis/ (Outcomes of Consultation) Andrew Thomas

School Terms and Holiday Dates Decision Annual Helen Lewis/ 20/21 Andrew Thomas (Permission to Consult) 15 MAR

Adult Community Learning Update Information Topical Angeline Spooner- Cleverly

Page 14 Page

Agenda Item 5

NEATH PORT TALBOT COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL

Education, Skills & Culture Cabinet Board 7th December 2017

Report of the Head of Transformation – Andrew Thomas

Matter for Decision

Wards Affected: All Wards

Internal arrangements for Families First Funded Services

Purpose of the Report

To seek delegated authority for the Director of Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning, (or his nominated representative) to enter into service level agreements with internal sections for the provision of support services for children as part of the Families First programme and to bring the service in respect of young carers in to the Council..

Executive Summary

In 2014, a range of services were established through commissioning and partnership agreements to deliver support services for children and families as part of the Families First programme. Those agreements have now come to an end and the Council is in receipt of new guidance from the Welsh Government for this area of work. Some services are performed in house by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council (“the Council”) and the Council wishes to continue these arrangements. One of the services in question has been carried out by an external service

Page 15 provider and the Council would now wish to bring this service in house to complement the provision currently being undertaken.

Background

Families First is a Welsh Government early intervention and prevention programme aimed at improving outcomes for children, young people and families. The Council receives an annual grant from the Welsh Government in respect of this programme.

The programme has a number of key elements:

1. Team Around the Family

2. Joint Assessment Family Framework (TAF Assessment)

3. Strategic Commissioning

4. Disability Focus

The Council developed a number of services to meet the requirements of the grant funding, including Team Around the Family, Family Play and Youth Services, which have been delivered in-house by teams within the Social Services, Health & Housing and Education, Leisure & Lifelong Learning Directorates.

Following the publication of new Families First guidance in April 2017, the Council has developed specifications for a number of new services, with the intention to continue the arrangement to deliver some of these in-house. Eight Lots are being externally commissioned to secure providers for the other services.

It is the intention that Youth Services, Parenting Support and Team Around the Family are delivered in-house.

It is proposed that services for young carers, which are currently delivered by an external provider, are brought in-house to be integrated into the Youth Services, benefitting young carers through greater support and access to additional services from the wider youth service.

To ensure compliance with the Families First Grant Agreement, a Service Level Agreement will be drawn up between the Education and

Page 16 Social Services directorate specifying the nature of the services to be performed and the monitoring obligations that will be undertaken.

As the Families First programme is grant funded, it is proposed that the Service Level Agreements will be for a period of two years, with the option to extend for a period of up to two years on annual basis, subject to apropriate performance. The agreements however will contain a suitable break clause that would allow termination in the event that the Families First funding comes to an end sooner than anticipated or there has been a breach of the contract or poor performance on the part of the appointed provider.

Financial Impact

The Families First grant allocation is confirmed annually by Welsh Government. The allocation for 2017/18 is currently £1,964,194. At this stage the Council does not know what the allocation will be for 2018/19, however the Council will work on the assumption that the amount will be of a similar level. Clauses however will be incorporated into the Service Level Agreement and any contractors or service levels agreements to ensure that where funding levels are decreased by the Welsh Government, the contract value can be reduced if deemed necessary.

Delivering the services in the manner outlined makes a saving of approximately £50,000 against the existing arrangements, which can be invested in delivery of other services.

Equality Impact Assessment An Equality Impact Screening Assessment has been undertaken to assist the Council in discharging its Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act 2010. After completing the initial screening assessment it has been determined that this proposal does not require an Equality Impact Assessment.

The EIA Screening Assessment is attached to the report at Appendix 1 for the purposes of the meeting.

Page 17 Workforce Impacts

It has been identified that with the services being transferred in house that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employees) Regulations 2006 may be applicable for the Young Carers Service. To date one employee of the current provider has been identified. Consultation will be held with the Head of Human Resources accordingly and if necessary a report will be taken to Personal Committee in this regard.

Legal Impacts

The Council is a contracting authority for the purposes of the Public Contract Regulations 2015 (the “Regulations”) which govern this particular area of work. However, as the Council is not commissioning services externally, the impact of the Regulations is not applicable.

The Council has entered into a grant agreement with the Welsh Government and provided that the Council ensures best value in the proposed arrangements that it enters into there is nothing prohibiting the Council from performing services in house. Notification of this has been made to the Welsh Government so that they are aware of the Council’s intentions. Risk Management

In the event that the Council did not enter into these internal arrangements, there would be a requirement to embark on a commissioning activity for the Families First programme meaning that in house service provision would be lost. Consultation

There is no requirement under the Constitution for external consultation on this item.

Recommendations

Page 18 It is recommended, having due regard to the Equality Impact Assessment, that:

(1) The Director of Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning (or his nominated representative) be granted delegated authority to agree the final specifications for services to be performed in house that are required to meet the requirements of the Welsh Government Families First Programme Guidance;

(2) The Director of Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning (or his nominated representative be granted delegated authority to bring the services being performed by external providers in respect of young carers in house to Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council to fulfil the requirements of the Welsh Government Families First Programme Guidance;

(3) The Director of Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning (or his nominated representative be granted delegated authority to enter into Service Level Agreements and any other associated documentation with the Social Services Health and Housing Directorate to fulfil the requirements of the Welsh Government Families First Programme Guidance; Reasons for Proposed Decision To ensure that arrangements are in place to secure appropriate support services are in place for children, young people and families in the Neath Port Talbot area. Implementation of Decision

The decision is proposed for implementation after the three day call in period. Appendices

None

Page 19

List of Background Papers

Neath Port Talbot Families First Needs Assessment, June 2017 Welsh Government Families First Programme Guidance April 2017 Officer Contact

Andrew Thomas, Head of Transformation

Tel: 01639 763314

Email: [email protected]

Page 20 Equality Impact Assessment Screening Form

Please ensure that you refer to the Draft Screening Form Guidance while completing this form. If you would like further guidance please contact Corporate Strategy or your directorate Heads of Service Equality Group Champion.

Section 1 What service area and directorate are you from? Service Area: Think Families Partnership – Families First Directorate:ELLL

Q1(a) What are you screening for relevance?

Service/ Policy/ Function Procedure Project Strategy Plan Proposal X

(b) Please name and describe below The in-sourcing of the Families First young carers service. It is proposed that, at the end of the current contract term (31st March 2018) that the delivery of the young carers services is brought in-house to the Council.

Q2(a) What does Q1a relate to? Direct front line Indirect front line Indirect back room service delivery service delivery service delivery

X (H) (M) (L)

(b) Do your customers/clients access this service…? Because they Because they Because it is On an internal need to want to automatically provided to basis everyone in NPT i.e. Staff (H) X (M) (M) (L)

Q3 What is the potential impact on the following protected characteristics? High Impact Medium Impact Low Impact Don’t know (H) (M) (L) (H) Age X Disability X Gender reassignment X Marriage & civil partnership X Pregnancy and maternity X Race X Religion or belief X Sex X Sexual orientation X Welsh language X

Q4(a) How visible is this service/function/policy/procedure/ project/strategy to the general public?

High visibility Medium visibility Low visibility to general public to general public to general public (H) X (M) (L) Page 21

1 Equality Impact Assessment Screening Form

(b) What is the potential risk to the council’s reputation? (Consider the following impacts – legal, financial, political, media, public perception etc…)

High risk Medium risk Low risk to reputation to reputation to reputation (H) (M) X (L)

Q5 How did you score? Please tick the relevant box

MOSTLY H and/or M → HIGH PRIORITY → EIA to be completed Please go to Section 2

MOSTLY L → LOW PRIORITY / → X Do not complete EIA NOT RELEVANT Please go to Q6 followed by Section 2

Q6 If after completing the EIA screening process you determine that this service/function/policy/project is not relevant for an EIA you must provide adequate explanation below (Please use additional pages if necessary).

 The equalities information we hold on existing users of the service show that there is low impact on the protected characteristics groups: o Gender – 68% female, 32% male o Disability – 0% identified with a disability o Welsh language – 100% identified as little or no knowledge o Sexual orientation – 100% identified as heterosexual o Gender reassignment – 100% identified as gender the same as birth o Pregnancy & maternity – 100% identified as not pregnant o Marriage & civil partnership – 100% identified as single o Ethnic origin – 100% identified as white British  Existing users will be able to access the service provided by the Council and we will work closely with the existing provider and the children and young people involved, easing transition to the new service.  The proposed in-sourcing of the service will have a positive impact on children and young people using the service as this will be form an integrated part of the wider NPTCBC youth service, providing additional support and resources from other programmes as the need requires. Access to the wider youth service will also help young people integrate into community based youth provision, where appropriate, providing ongoing opportunities for social activities and engagement in community provision.  The impact of the proposal on the individual currently delivering the service is also recognised and TUPE may be applicable to this employee. Should this be the case, this may also minimise the impact to the employee and to the service users.

Page 22

2 Equality Impact Assessment Screening Form

Section 2

Screener- This to be completed by the person responsible for completing this screening Name: Allison Harris – Families First & Play Manager Location: Ffrwdwyllt House, Commercial Road, Taibach, SA13 1PZ Telephone Number: 01639 873002 Date: 28.11.17

Approval by Head of Service Name: Position: Date:

Please ensure this completed form is filed appropriately within your directorate because it may be required as evidence should a legal challenge be made regarding compliance with the Equality Act 2010.

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3 This page is intentionally left blank Agenda Item 6

NEATH PORT TALBOT COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL

EDUCATION SKILLS AND CULTURE CABINET BOARD

7 December 2017

REPORT OF HEAD OF TRANSFORMATION ANDREW THOMAS

MATTER FOR DECISION

WARDS AFFECTED – ALL WARDS

ADMISSION TO COMMUNITY SCHOOLS: 2019/2020

Purpose of Report

1. To obtain Children, Young People and Education Cabinet Board approval to consult on the admission arrangements for community schools in relation to the 2019/2020 academic year.

Executive Summary

2. The Council is the admission authority for community schools in its area (the relevant area) and is required to determine by 15th April 2018 its admission arrangements in relation to the 2019/ 2020 academic year.

3. Proposed admission arrangements that detail the procedures to be followed when allocating school are attached as appendix A. It is these proposed arrangements that are to be consulted upon.

4. These proposed arrangements conform to the legislative requirements and the good practice guidelines set out in the Welsh Government’s School Admissions Code, 2013.

Page 25

Background

5. The Council, as local authority for the relevant area, is responsible for determining the admission arrangements for community schools1 and has a duty to consult annually on those arrangements.

6. In drawing up admission arrangements, the Council must ensure that the practices and the criteria used to decide on the allocation of school places:  are clear in the sense of being free from doubt and easily understood  are objective and based on demonstrable fact  are procedurally fair and are also equitable for all groups of children  provide parents or carers with easy access to helpful admission information  comply with all relevant legislation and have been determined in accordance with the statutory requirements and the provisions of this Code

Proposed admission arrangements for consultation

7. The proposed admission arrangements for consultation are attached as appendix A.

8. They include oversubscription criteria specific to secondary school admissions that support the principle of partner2 schools. This is a revision to previous oversubscription criteria, reflecting the need to ensure the admission arrangements give suitable priority to partner schools at secondary school transfer.

1 The Education (Determination of Admission Arrangements) (Wales) Regulations 2006 2 For the purpose of admission to community schools the term:  ‘partner’ school is defined as a school that has a catchment area in common with another school of the same category, e.g. an English-medium community primary with an English-medium community secondary or a Welsh-medium community primary with a Welsh-medium community secondary.  catchment area is defined as the geographical area served by a school, as determined by the Council.

Page 26

Consultation

9. The Council, as local authority is required to consult each year on the admission arrangements for those schools which it is the admission authority.

10. Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council is the admission authority for community schools. Admission to voluntary aided (i.e. Faith) schools is the responsibility of the respective governing bodies.

11. The requirements of consultation are set out in the Welsh Government’s School Admissions Code3.

12. In the case of this Council, consultation is required with:

 the governing bodies of community schools  the governing bodies of voluntary aided (i.e. Faith) schools  all neighbouring local authorities.

13. In addition, the Council should also consult the Admission Forum for the relevant area. The consultation process will cease on 2nd February 2018.

Financial Impact

14. There is no financial impact directly associated with this proposal. The admission arrangements support the efficient and effective delivery of education across the County Borough.

15. Administration of the admission process is within the Council’s staffing cost envelope and is a statutory function that falls to the Council.

Equality Impact Assessment

31. A Screening Assessment has been undertaken to assist the Council in discharging its Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act 2010. After completing the assessment it has been determined that this Policy does require an Equality Impact Assessment (EIA). The EIA is currently being developed and will be informed by the outcomes of the consultation exercise.

3 School admissions code: Statutory Code document No. 005/2013 Page 27

Workforce Impact

32. As a statutory function of the Council, the admission process is administered centrally. The current staffing complement associated with this function will be maintained and there will be no change to the staffing arrangements consequent upon the implementation of the proposal.

Legal Impacts

33. The Council, as an admission authority, has a statutory duty to act in accordance with the requirements of the Welsh Government’s School Admissions Code, 2013.

34. In relation to the specific purpose of this report, there is a legal requirement that school admission arrangements must be determined by 15th April 2018.

Risk Management

35. There are requirements placed on the Council, as an admission authority, intended to ensure the admission system works for the benefit of both schools and pupils. Admission authorities are required to consult on their admission arrangements, and to offer places within timeframes and deadlines specified by legislation.

36. The proposed admission arrangements recommended for consultation in this report conform to the legislative requirements and the good practice guidelines set out in the Welsh Government’s School Admissions Code, 2013.

Recommendations

37. To approve for consultation the proposed 2019/2020 community schools admission policy.

Reasons for the Proposed Decision

38. To enable the Council to meet statutory duties and good practice guidelines in respect of the admission of pupils to community schools.

Page 28

Implementation of Decision

39. The decision is proposed for implementation after the three day call in period.

Appendix

Appendix A: Proposed admission to community schools in Neath Port Talbot County Borough, 2019/2020

List of Background Papers

a. Welsh Government: School Admissions Code (No. 005/2013). b. Welsh Government: Measuring the capacity of schools in Wales c. Education (Determination of Admission Arrangements) (Wales) Regulations 2006 d. Education (Objections to Admission Arrangements) (Wales) Regulations 2006 e. Education (Relevant Areas for Consultation on Admission Arrangements) Regulations 1999 f. School Admissions (Common Offer Date) (Wales) regulations 2013 g. The Education Act 2002 (Commencement No.8) (Wales) Order 2006

Officer Contact

Mrs H Lewis, School Admissions. [email protected] Tel: 01639 763580.

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Appendix A

Admission to Community Schools 2019/2020

1. Introduction

The Council is the admission authority for all community maintained schools in the County Borough. As admission authority, the Council determines the criteria that will be applied when allocating places at community schools. This document sets out the admission arrangements that will apply during 2019/20 for: nursery classes based at community primary schools; community primary schools; community secondary schools; and the Welsh-medium sixth form at a community secondary school.

For voluntary aided (i.e. Faith) schools, it is each school’s governing body that determines the admission arrangements, details of which can be obtained from the respective governing body.

This policy document sets out the principles underpinning the admission arrangements for community schools together with the procedures and the timetables for admission during the 2019/20 school year (appendices 1, 2, 3 & 4). Further details to assist parents in applying for a school place choosing a school for their child will be set out in the ‘Information for Parents Handbook 2019/2020’ which will be available to parents in October 2018, prior to the application date. The handbook will contain important information about schools in the County Borough including their admission numbers, the catchment areas they serve together and their partner school arrangements. The handbook also contains the published admission arrangements for individual voluntary aided (i.e. Faith) schools. In this respect, the ‘Information for Parents Handbook 2019/2020 forms an integral part of the information available to parents on school admission.

2. Context Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council aspires to deliver an inclusive education service that celebrates diversity and respects everyone’s right to education. The Council provides access to high quality learning experiences for every child and young person by encouraging and supporting individuals to realise their ambitions, achieve their potential and become active and responsible members of society.

Page 31 1

To meet the educational needs of children, the County Borough Council delivers a range of provision, including:

 part-time nursery education, available in all primary and ‘all-through’ 3-16/3- 18 schools. Successful learning begins in the nursery where children have access to rich experiences in a secure environment;  primary phase education at primary and ‘all-through’ 3-16/3-18 schools (including Welsh medium and voluntary aided schools), providing a broad education based on practical experiences designed to meet individual needs, including national curriculum areas of study.  secondary phase education at secondary and ‘all-through’ 3-16/3-18 schools, (including Welsh medium and a Roman Catholic school), setting high standards in examinations, sport and cultural activities, and personal and social education. Pupils in all schools have access to a wide range of curricular opportunities and the national curriculum;  special schools, providing rich and stimulating learning experiences for pupils with severe and complex difficulties. All pupils attending these schools have a statement of special educational needs. Specialist support for primary and secondary age pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties is available within the County Borough.  learning support centres, based at a number of primary, secondary and ‘all- through’ schools, provide specialist support in mainstream schools for pupils with statements of special educational needs.

The Council’s admission arrangements for community schools ensure that admission procedures do not unfairly advantage or disadvantage any groups through the application of the Welsh Government School Admissions Code 005/2013.

3. Admission to nursery classes at community primary and ‘all-through’ 3- 16/3-18 schools

The Council is the admission authority for all nursery classes in community primary and ‘all-through’ 3-16/3-18 schools.

Children can access a part-time nursery place from the start of the term following their third birthday. Application forms are available from (and, when completed, to be returned to) the Admissions Officer, School and Family Support Team, Port Talbot Civic Centre, Port Talbot SA13 1PJ.

Admission to a nursery class prior to the start of the term following the child’s third birthday can only be agreed in consultation with the Admissions Officer.

Children who are in receipt of a statement of special educational needs which identifies mainstream nursery education within a community school will be Page 32 2 guaranteed a place at that setting.

The Council will consider each individual application received. If the number of applications exceeds the number of places available, places will be allocated according to the oversubscription criteria below, listed in priority order.

 Oversubscription Criteria a) Children looked after1 or previously looked after by a local authority in Wales, in accordance with section 74 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 or England in accordance with Section 22 of the Children Act 1989. b) Children who live within the catchment area of the nursery class for which an application is made. c) Children who have an older sibling who will be on the register at the school at which the nursery class is based when they are admitted. A “sibling” is defined as a full sibling, a half sibling (i.e. one shared parent), a step sibling (i.e. the child of a person co-habiting with a parent), a fostered sibling or an adopted sibling. In each case, at the time of the application the sibling must reside at the same address as the child or young person. Any sibling connection must be clearly stated in the application. In the case of multiple births, if it is not possible to offer all children a place in the nursery class, the parents will be asked to decide which child should be offered a place first or the parents may wish to consider an alternative setting for all children.

If children are equally entitled to a place in the nursery in categories a) to c) above, priority will be given to the child living nearest. This is measured by the shortest walking/travel route between the home and the school. The Council uses a Geographical Information System to calculate the shortest distance.

In all cases evidence of permanent residence of the pupil at time of application must be supplied.

Once an offer of a school place has been made the Council will only withdraw that offer where the place offered has been on the basis of a fraudulent or intentionally misleading application from a parent (for example, a false claim to residence in a catchment area) which effectively denied a place to a child with a stronger claim. A school place will not be withdrawn once a child or young person has started at the school, except where that place was fraudulently obtained. In deciding whether to withdraw the place, the length of time that the child had been at the school will be taken into account. Where a place is withdrawn on the basis of

1 A looked after child refers to a child who is looked after by the local authority, in accordance with section 74 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 or under Section 22(1) of the Children Act 1989 at the time an application to a school is made and who the local authority has confirmed will still be looked after at the time of admission to the school. Page 33 3 misleading information, the application will be considered afresh, and a right of appeal offered if a place is refused.

The home address is considered to be the child’s along with their parents’ principal place of residence on the published date, i.e. where they are normally and regularly living. If a child is resident with friends or relatives (for reasons other than fostering arrangements) the friends or relatives address will not be considered in relation to application for admission to schools in Neath Port Talbot.

Where parents have shared responsibility for a child and the child lives with each parent for part of the school week then the home address will be determined as the address where the child lives for the majority of the school week, e.g. 3 out of 5 days. Parents will be required to provide documentary evidence to support the address they wish to be considered for allocation purposes.

No account will be taken of the particular primary school the child is likely to attend subsequently or to the length of time the school has been aware of the parental intention to apply for a place at the school.

Only applications received by the published closing date for receipt of application forms will be processed in the initial round of allocation of places. Application forms received after the closing date will be considered as late applications. These will be considered on a weekly basis once the initial allocation is complete and places will be allocated in accordance with availability. As nursery education is non-statutory provision parents have no statutory right of appeal. If they are unsuccessful in gaining a nursery place, wherever possible, children will be offered a place within two miles of the child’s place of residence.

Attendance at a nursery class does not automatically entitle a child to a place at a reception class in the same school. A separate application will have to be submitted for admission to the reception class at the school the parent wishes their child to attend.

Although a separate policy provision, the Council recognises the inter-relationship between admission and home to school transport and advises parents to refer to the Council’s Home to School Travel policy when applying for a place at a school for their child. The policy is available at www.npt.gov.uk

4. Admission to community primary, secondary and ‘all-through’ schools

The County Borough Council is the admission authority for all community maintained primary, secondary and ‘all-though’ schools, (including Welsh-medium schools and sixth form provision).

All admissions to mainstream schools are approved by the Admissions Officer, School and Family Support Team. Children are admitted to reception classes in the September following their fourth birthday. Parents may defer entry until the Page 34 4 term following their child’s fifth birthday. Children transfer to secondary phase education in the September following their eleventh birthday.

Application forms are available from the School Admissions Section, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council which the parent should complete and return to the Admissions Officer, School and Family Support Team, Port Talbot Civic Centre, Port Talbot SA13 1PJ or parents can apply online at www.npt.gov.uk. The closing date for applications is 30th November 2018.

Parents of pupils due to transfer from one educational phase to another at the end of the academic year will be sent an admission application letter by the Council during the Autumn Term. Parents will be advised of their child’s allocated secondary phase education place on 1st March 2019 and primary phase education place on 16th April 2019.

Attendance at a nursery class does not automatically entitle a child to a reception class place in the same school.

Children who are in receipt of a statement of special educational needs which identifies mainstream education within a community school will be guaranteed a place at that school.

Oversubscription criteria primary phase education

Parents have the right to express a preference which will be considered individually and complied with wherever possible. Some schools have more requests for places than there are places available. Where a school is oversubscribed preferences will still be considered but the priorities set by the Council will be applied. In deciding which children to admit to a school the Council applies the criteria set out below in the order of priority shown - a) being the highest priority.

The Council will only admit up to a school’s admission number and will not breach the Infant Class Size Regulations of 30 or less, save exceptional circumstances. a) Children looked after2 or previously looked after by a local authority in Wales, in accordance with section 74 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 or England in accordance with Section 22 of the Children Act 1989. b) Children who live within the catchment area of the school for which the application is made. c) Children who have an older sibling who will be on register at the school when

2 A looked after child refers to a child who is looked after by the local authority in accordance with section 74 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 or under Section 22(1) of the Children Act 1989 at the time an application to a school is made and who the local authority has confirmed will still be looked after at the time of admission to the school. Page 35 5

they are admitted. A “sibling” is defined as a full sibling, a half sibling (i.e. one shared parent), a step sibling (i.e. the child of a person co-habiting with a parent), a fostered sibling or an adopted sibling. In each case, at the time of the application the sibling must reside at the same address as the child or young person. Any sibling connection must be clearly stated in the application. In the case of multiple births, if it is not possible to offer all children a place in the school, parents will be asked to decide which child should be offered a place first or parents may wish to consider an alternative setting for all children. d) Children who live outside the preferred school’s catchment area.

If children are equally entitled to a place in the school in categories - a) to d) above, then priority will be given to the child living nearest. This is measured by the shortest suitable walking/travel route between the home and the school. The Council uses a Geographical Information System to calculate the shortest distance.

Only applications received by the published closing date for receipt of application forms will be considered in the initial round of allocation of places. Application forms received after the closing date will be considered as late applications. These will be considered on a weekly basis once the initial allocation is complete and places will be allocated in accordance with availability.

In all cases evidence of permanent residence of the pupil at time of application must be supplied.

Once an offer of a school place has been made the Council will only withdraw that offer where the place offered has been on the basis of a fraudulent or intentionally misleading application from a parent or young person (for example, a false claim to residence in a catchment area) which effectively denied a place to a child or young person with a stronger claim. A school place will not be withdrawn once a child or young person has started at the school except where that place was fraudulently obtained. In deciding whether to withdraw the place the length of time that the child had been at the school will be taken into account. Where a place is withdrawn on the basis of misleading information the application will be considered afresh and a right of appeal offered if a place is refused.

Where parents have shared responsibility for a child and the child lives with both parents for part of the school week then the home address will be determined as the address where the child lives for the majority of the school week, e.g. 3 out of Page 36 6

5 days. Parents will be required to provide documentary evidence to support the address they wish to be considered for allocation purposes.

If parents are dissatisfied with the result of an application for a particular community school an appeal may be submitted for consideration by an Independent Admission Appeals Panel. In the case of primary phase education admission appeals to be submitted by 30th April 2019. Any decision made by the Panel being binding on the Council. If the appeal is not successful a further application for a place at the same school will not be considered for the same academic year unless the Admissions Officer, School and Family Support Team, determines that there are significant and material changes to the circumstances.

The Council will keep a waiting list of unsuccessful applicants ranked in order of priority according to the Council's oversubscription criteria. As places become available these will be offered on the basis of the ranked order of priority. A waiting list will be maintained until 30th September in the school year in which the applicants applied.

Oversubscription criteria secondary phase education

In deciding which children to admit to a school the Council applies the criteria set out below in the order of priority shown - a) being the highest priority.

The Council will only admit up to a school’s admission number. a) Children and young people looked after or previously looked after by a local authority in Wales in accordance with section 74 of the Social Services and Well- being (Wales) Act 2014 or England in accordance with Section 22 of the Children Act 1989. b) Children and young people attending a partner primary school3 who live within the catchment area of the school for which the application is made.

3 Reference to a partner primary school is in relation to the school for which the application is made. For the definition of a partner primary school see para. 8 Page 37 7 c) Other children and young people who live within the catchment area of the school for which the application is made but do not attend a partner primary school. d) Children and young people who have an older sibling who will be on register at the school when they are admitted. A “sibling” is defined as a full sibling, a half sibling (i.e. one shared parent), a step sibling (i.e. the child of a person co-habiting with a parent), a fostered sibling or an adopted sibling. In each case, at the time of the application the sibling must reside at the same address as the child or young person. Any sibling connection must be clearly stated in the application. In the case of multiple births, if it is not possible to offer all children a place in the school, parents will be asked to decide which child should be offered a place first or parents may wish to consider an alternative setting for all children. e) Children and young people attending a partner primary school4, but who live outside the catchment area of the school for which the application is made.

If children and young people are equally entitled to a place in the school in categories - a) to e) above, then priority will be given to the child living nearest. This is measured by the shortest suitable walking/travel route between the home and the school. The Council uses a Geographical Information System to calculate the shortest distance.

In all cases evidence of permanent residence of the pupil at time of application must be supplied.

Once an offer of a school place has been made the Council will only withdraw that offer where the place offered has been on the basis of a fraudulent or intentionally misleading application from a parent or young person (for example, a false claim to residence in a catchment area) which effectively denied a place to a child or young person with a stronger claim. A school place will not be withdrawn once a child or young person has started at the school except where that place was fraudulently obtained. In deciding whether to withdraw the place the length of time that the child had been at the school will be taken into account. Where a place is withdrawn on the basis of misleading information the application will be considered afresh and a right of appeal offered if a place is refused.

The home address is considered to be the child’s along with their parents’

4 Reference to a partner primary school is in relation to the school for which the application is made. For the definition of a partner primary school see para. 8

Page 38 8 principal place of residence on the published date, i.e. where they are normally and regularly living. If a child is resident with friends or relatives (for reasons other than fostering arrangements) the friends or relatives address will not be considered for allocation purposes.

Where parents have shared responsibility for a child/young person and the child/young person lives with both parents for part of the school week then the home address will be determined as the address where the child lives for the majority of the school week, e.g. 3 out of 5 days. Parents will be required to provide documentary evidence to support the address they wish to be considered for allocation purposes.

If parents are dissatisfied with the result of an application for a particular community school an appeal may be submitted for consideration by an Independent Admission Appeals Panel. In the case of secondary phase education admission appeals by 18th March 2019 .Any decision made by the Panel being binding on the Council. If the appeal is not successful a further application for a place at the same school will not be considered for the same academic year unless the Admissions Officer, School and Family Support Team, determines that there are significant and material changes to the circumstances.

5. Admission to Sixth Form

There are two sixth forms within the County Borough - a community school Welsh- medium sixth form at Ysgol Newydd Gymunedol Gymraeg for which the Council is the admission authority and a voluntary aided school sixth form at St Joseph’s RC School & 6th Form Centre for which the school’s governing body is the admission authority

Young people who are in receipt of a statement of special educational needs which identifies a particular sixth form provision will be guaranteed a place at that school.

 Oversubscription criteria (Welsh-medium 6th Form)

Page 39 9

Parents and pupils have the right to express a preference which will be considered individually and complied with wherever possible. In the event of the number of requests for places exceeding the number of places available, preferences will still be considered but the priorities set by the Council will be applied. In deciding which young people to admit to the sixth form, the Council applies the criteria set out below in the order of priority shown - a) being the highest priority. The Council will not normally exceed the sixth form’s admission number. a) Young people looked after or previously looked after by a local authority in Wales, in accordance with section 74 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 or, or England in accordance with Section 22 of the Children Act 1989. b) Young people who have an older sibling who will be on register at the sixth form when they are admitted. A “sibling” is defined as a full sibling, a half sibling (i.e. one shared parent), a step sibling (i.e. the child of a person co- habiting with a parent), a fostered sibling or an adopted sibling. In each case, at the time of the application the sibling must reside at the same address as the child or young person. Any sibling connection must be clearly stated in the application. In the case of multiple births, if it is not possible to offer all young people a place in the sixth form, the parents will be asked to decide which young person should be offered a place first or parents may wish to consider an alternative setting for all young people.

If young people are equally entitled to a place in the sixth form in categories a) and b) above then priority will be given to the young person living nearest. This is measured by the shortest suitable walking/travel route between the home and the sixth form. The Council uses a Geographical Information System to calculate the shortest distance.

In all cases evidence of permanent residence of the pupil at time of application must be supplied if required.

Once an offer of a school place has been made the Council will only withdraw that offer where the place offered has been on the basis of a fraudulent or intentionally misleading application from a parent or young person (for example, a false claim to residence in a catchment area) which effectively denied a place to a child with a stronger claim. A school place will not be withdrawn once a child or young person has started at the school except where that place was fraudulently obtained. In deciding whether to withdraw the place the length of time that the child had been Page 40 10 at the school will be taken into account. Where a place is withdrawn on the basis of misleading information the application will be considered afresh and a right of appeal offered if a place is refused.

The home address is considered to be the young person’s along with their parent’s principal place of residence (or the young person’s alone if they are living independently) on the published date, i.e. where they are normally and regularly living. If a young person is resident with friends or relatives (for reasons other than fostering arrangements) the friends or relatives address will not be considered for allocation purposes.

Where parents have shared responsibility for a young person and the young person lives with both parents for part of the school week then the home address will be determined as the address where the young person lives for the majority of the school week, e.g. 3 out of 5 days. Parents and young people living independently will be required to provide documentary evidence to support the address they wish to be considered for allocation purposes.

If a parent or young person is dissatisfied with the result of an application for a particular sixth form an appeal may be submitted to the independent Admission Appeals Panel by 18th March 2019. Any decision made by the Panel being binding on the Council. If the appeal is not successful, further applications for a place at the same sixth form will not be considered for the same academic year unless the Admissions Officer, School and Family Support Team determines that there are significant and material changes the circumstances.

Although a separate policy provision, the Council recognises the inter-relationship between admission and home to school transport and advises parents to refer to the Council’s Home to School Travel policy when applying for a place a school for their child. The policy is available at www.npt.gov.uk

6. Admission during the academic year

Requests for children and young people to transfer between schools at periods other than at the normal transfer age will be determined by applying the above arrangements. Application forms are available from the School Admissions Section, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council which the parent (or young person in the case of a sixth form application) should complete and return to the Admissions Officer, School and Family Support Team, Port Talbot Civic Centre, Port Talbot SA13 1PJ. Successful applicants will receive a leaving date from the school at which they are currently enrolled and a start date for the receiving school. Moving children and young people during the academic year is not encouraged and, unless otherwise stated, admission to the receiving school will be from the beginning of the following term.

Transfer into a school within the County Borough from another local authority, or Page 41 11 a change of school necessitated by a change of address, will be authorised as soon as possible but within 15 school days or 28 calendar days whichever is the sooner.

Children and young people who transfer due to being in receipt of a statement of special educational needs will be admitted into the named school as soon as possible but within 15 working days.

7. Admission number and class sizes – community schools

The admission number means the number of pupils that the Council can admit to a school. Each school has an admission number which is calculated using the Welsh Government’s ‘Measuring the capacity of schools in Wales’ assessment. Admission to a school cannot be refused unless the admission number has been reached (appendix 6)

Legislation requires the class size for classes containing pupils the majority of whom will attain the age of 5, 6 and 7 during the course of the school year not to exceed 30 pupils save for 'excepted pupils' as specified by Regulation. The relevant age group is the group at which children and young people are normally admitted, i.e. reception for primary schools and Y7 for secondary schools.

8. Catchment areas and partner schools – community schools

For the purpose of admission to community schools, the term catchment area is defined as the geographical area served by a school, as determined by the Council.

For the purpose of admission to community schools, the term ‘partner’ school is defined as a school that has a catchment area in common with another school of the same category, e.g. an English-medium community primary with an English- medium community secondary or a Welsh-medium community primary with a Welsh-medium community secondary (voluntary aided schools excepted). An indicative list as at 1st September 2019 is attached as appendix 5.

Copies of school catchment area maps may be obtained from the Admissions Officer, School and Family Support Team.

9. Admission Process overview - Community Schools

All applications for admission into a community school (including sixth form) within the County Borough must be made on the appropriate form to the Council and not to the school. Parents can apply online at www.npt.gov.uk

Head teachers do not have the authority to admit children to their school. Applications have to be made to the admission authority which, for community schools, is the Council. Page 42 12

All parents of children known to the Council and residing within the County Borough will be forwarded an admission application letter and accompanying admission arrangement notes during the Autumn Term prior to entry into school in September of the following academic year.

Parents should request an admission application form and, when completed, return it to the Admissions Officer or apply online, by the date given on the admission arrangements.

The outcome of all admission applications will be notified to parents in writing or by email as appropriate, with all outcomes sent from the central office on the date given on the admission arrangements.

Parents who are satisfied with the placement offered should confirm acceptance of the offer in writing to the Council or via the school admission website. Unfilled places will be allocated to children and young people whose parents have applied for admission ahead of those who have not formally accepted the initial offer of a place.

Parents who are not satisfied with the placement offered have a right of appeal.

Information regarding appeals will be within the contents of the letter received. Appeals will be heard by an Independent Appeal Panel constituted for the sole purpose of hearing appeals.

Requests for admission to the relevant age group submitted on or before the administrative closing date will be processed collectively. In this respect, no advantage shall be gained from the early submission of an admission request. Requests submitted after the closing date will be processed on a weekly basis.

Admissions will not be determined on the basis of selection criteria involving the sitting of tests, viewing of school reports, interviewing pupils, with or without parents for the purpose of assessing ability or aptitude.

Where requests for admission exceed the number of places available, places will be allocated by applying the Council's oversubscription criteria.

The Council will keep a waiting list of unsuccessful applicants ranked in order of priority according to the Council's oversubscription criteria. As places become available, these will be offered on the basis of the ranked order of priority. A waiting list will be maintained until 30th September in the school year in which applications were received applied.

Children attending the nursery class will not have an automatic right of admission to full time education at the same school. Similarly, children transferring from primary phase education to secondary phase education do not have an automatic Page 43 13 right of admission to any school5.

The Council will be under no duty to comply with preferences expressed otherwise than in accordance with its arrangements.

Separate admission arrangements apply to pupils for whom the Council holds a statement of special educational need. Pupils with a statement of educational needs must be admitted to the school named on their statement.

Looked after and previously looked after children must, after children with a statement of educational needs, be given first priority in the case of oversubscription.

10. Admission to Voluntary Aided (i.e. Faith) Schools

Although voluntary aided (i.e. Faith) schools are their own admission authority, through its on-line application system the Council assists the application process for St Joseph’s RC School & 6th Form Centre.

5 Children admitted to the primary phase of an ‘all-through’ school do not have to apply for a place at the same school at secondary transfer. Page 44 14

appendix 1 Admission Process

Application Forms/letters sent to parents / carers

Completed Application Forms returned to Admissions Officer in the Council Parents/carers can apply online

Allocation of school places by the Council

Parents informed by letter/email of allocation from the Council

Page 45 15

appendix 2

Schedule of Events Community Schools Secondary Phase Education & Sixth Form Admission 2019/20

5th October, 2018

Application forms / School Prospectus / Information for Parents Handbook distributed to parents. Parents of young people entering a new school (Year 7) have a minimum of 6 weeks to apply to a school of their choice.

Application forms to be returned to: Mrs H Lewis, Schools Admissions Officer, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, Port Talbot Civic Centre, Port Talbot SA13 1PJ

30th November 2018

Closing date of submission of Admission Application Forms

Applications processed

1st February 2019

Children with statements of special educational needs have placements confirmed.

1st March 2019

Parents and schools informed of allocation of secondary places to mainstream pupils.

14 days for parents to lodge an appeal

18thMarch 2018

Appeals against refusal to admit

Page 46 16

appendix 3

Schedule of Events Community Schools Primary Phase Education Admission 2019/20

5th October, 2018

Application forms / School Prospectus, Information for Parents Handbook distributed to parents. Parents of children entering a new school (Reception) have a minimum of 6 weeks to apply to a school of their choice.

Application forms to be returned to: Mrs H Lewis, Schools Admissions Officer, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, Port Talbot Civic Centre, Port Talbot SA13 1PJ

30th November 2018

Closing date of submission of Admission Application Forms Applications processed

1st February 2019

Children with statements of special educational needs have placements confirmed.

16th April 2019

Parents and schools informed of allocation of primary places to mainstream pupils.

14 days for parents to lodge an appeal

30th April 2019

Appeals against refusal to admit

Page 47 17

appendix 4

Schedule of Events for Community Schools Nursery Class Admission 2019/20

5th October, 2018

Application forms distributed to parents.

Application forms to be returned to: Mrs H Lewis, Schools Admissions Officer, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, Port Talbot Civic Centre, Port Talbot SA13 1PJ

29th March 2019

Closing date of submission of Admission Application Forms Applications processed

17th May 2019

Parents and schools informed of allocation of nursery places.

Page 48 18

appendix 5

Partner Community Schools (Indicative list as at 010919) PARTNER COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

Secondary Primary

CEFN SAESON Crynallt Primary, Gnoll Primary, Melin Primary, Tonnau Primary.

CWMTAWE Alltwen Primary, Godre’rgraig Primary, Llangiwg Primary, Rhos Primary, Rhydyfro Primary, Tairgwaith Primary.

YSGOL BAE Awel Y Mor Primary, Ysgol Carreg Hir, Baglan Primary, BAGLAN Blaenbaglan Primary, Sandfields Primary, Tywyn Primary.

CYMER AFAN Croeserw Primary, Cymer Afan Primary, Glyncorrwg Primary, Pen Afan Primary.

DWR Y FELIN Abbey Primary, Blaenhonddan Primary, Coedffranc Primary, Crymlyn Primary, Waunceirch Primary.

YSGOL NEWYDD Central Primary, Coed Hirwaun Primary, Cwmafan MARGAM Primary, Eastern Primary,

LLANGATWG Blaendulais Primary, Blaengwrach Primary, Catwg Primary, Cilffriw Primary, Creunant Primary, Cwmnedd Primary, Maesmarchog Primary, Ynysfach Primary.

YSGOL Gymraeg YGG Blaendulais, YGG Castell-Nedd, YGG Cwmllynfell, Ystalyfera – Bro Dur YGG Cwmnedd, YGG Gwaun Cae Gurwen, YGG Pontardawe, YGG Rhosafan, YGG Trebannws, YGG Tyle’r Ynn.

NB: Attendance at a partner school does not guarantee a place at the preferred school nor does it prevent parents applying to alternative schools of their choice.

This table does not include voluntary aided schools which are subject to separate admission arrangements.

Page 49 19

appendix 6

Admission Number6 September 2018

Name of school Primary Phase Admission Number Abbey Primary 53 Alderman Davies CIW Primary 59 Alltwen Primary 34 Awel Y Mor Primary 42 Baglan Primary 38 Blaenbaglan Primary 40 Blaendulais Primary 23 Blaengwrach Primary 20 Blaenhonddan Primary 32 Bryncoch CIW Primary 31 Catwg Primary 29 Central Primary 55 Cilffriw Primary 30 Coed Hirwaun Primary 22 Coedffranc Primary 62 Creunant Primary 19 Croeserw Primary 25 Crymlyn Primary 8 Crynallt Primary 68 Cwmafan Primary 51 Cwmnedd Primary 30 Cymer Afan Primary 12 Eastern Primary 26 Glyncorrwg Primary 19 Gnoll Primary 48 Godre'rgraig Primary 23 Llangiwg Primary 25 Maesmarchog Primary 16 Melin Primary 34 Pen Afan Primary 18 Rhos Primary 25 Rhydyfro Primary 24 Sandfields Primary 53 St Joseph's Infant 34 St Joseph's Junior 39 St Joseph's Primary 29 St Therese's Primary 28 Tairgwaith Primary 21

6 Voluntary aided (i.e. Faith) schools admission numbers included Page 50 20

Tonnau Primary 30 Tywyn Primary 52 Waunceirch Primary 30 Ysgol Bae Baglan Primary Phase 36 Ynysfach Primary 25 Ysgol Carreg Hir 60 Ysgol Newydd Margam Primary Phase 30 Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera Bro Dur Primary Phase 26 YGG Blaendulais 17 YGG Castell Nedd 48 YGG Cwm Nedd 26 YGG Gwaun Cae Gurwen 25 YGG Pontardawe 51 YGG Rhosafan 45 YGG Tyle'r Ynn 29 YGG Cwmllynfell 13 YGG Trebannws 18

Name of School Secondary Phase Sixth Form Admission Number Admission Number Cefn Saeson Comprehensive 184 Cwmtawe Community 256 Cymer Afan Comprehensive 128 Dwr-y-Felin Comprehensive 220 Ysgol Newydd Margam 210 Llangatwg Community 233 St Joseph's RC School and 6th Form Centre 144 143 Ysgol Bae Baglan 220 Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera Bro Dur 240 130

Page 51 21

This page is intentionally left blank Agenda Item 7

NEATH PORT TALBOT COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL

Education, Skills and Culture Cabinet Board

7th December, 2017

Report of the Head of Transformation – Andrew Thomas

Matter for Decision

GOVERNANCE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE NEW 3-16 ALL-THROUGH SCHOOL REPLACING GROES PRIMARY AND DYFFRYN COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOLS.

Wards Affected:

Margam, Taibach, Port Talbot, Bryn & Cwmafan, Pelenna

Purpose of the Report

1. To comply with Regulations surrounding the opening of a new school, Members are asked to formally agree:

i) The creation of an Instrument of Government which will establish a permanent Governing Body;

ii) To approve a permanent name for the new 3-16 all-through school.

Background

2. Members will be aware that from 1st September, 2018, a new build 3-16 all-through school will come into existence replacing Groes Primary and Dyffryn Comprehensive Schools. The new school is

Page 53

currently under construction and located within the site of the existing school.

3. Prior to the new school becoming operational Cabinet Members agreed on 5th January, 2017, to the creation of a temporary Governing Body to oversee the business of the new school.

4. Regulations state that a permanent Governing Body must be established and in place on a date agreed by the Local Authority, known as the “incorporation date”. This incorporation date is contained within the Instrument of Government and cannot be effected any later than the last day of the first term.

5. To allow time for the process of elections and appointment of governors during the early part of the autumn term, it is proposed the incorporation date will be 1st November, 2018. Until this date, the temporary governing body will continue in its current form when their role and function will then come to an end.

6. It is a legal requirement that every school must have in place an Instrument of Government. In addition to recording the incorporation date, this document also formally records the name of the school and the constitution of its governing body. The Instrument of Government must be formally created by the Local Authority.

7. Governors of the temporary Governing Body have proposed to the Authority that the name of the new school be “Ysgol Cwm Brombil”. Pupils from the current two schools have been fully involved with the creation of the proposed name where a selection of shortlisted names was voted for amongst pupils. Consultation regarding the name has taken place with the Head of Planning and Senior Management Team of the Education Directorate where there have been no objections from either.

Financial Impact

8. There is no financial impact associated with this proposal.

Equality Impact Assessment

9. Having considered the Council's screening assessment guidance produced to assist the Council in discharging its Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act 2010 it has been determined

Page 54

that the proposal within this report does not require an equalities impact assessment.

Workforce Impacts

10. There are no workforce or staffing issues directly associated with this proposal although the permanent governing body will have responsibility for the employment of staff at the school.

Legal Impacts

11. The recommendations contained within this report are in accordance with the Councils obligations set out in The New Maintained Schools (Wales) Regulations 2005.

Risk Management

12. Should the recommendation to create the permanent governing body not be approved then the Council will be in breach of its statutory obligation. Should the recommendation to name the school not be approved then an alternative name will be sought and reported back to Members at a future meeting.

Consultation

13. There is no requirement under the Constitution for external consultation on either of the recommendations within this report, however, a substantial consultation exercise has taken place with all the pupils that will attend the new school regarding its name. Likewise, internal consultation has taken place with the Head of Planning and Education Senior Management Team.

Recommendations

14. i) That the Instrument of Government (attached as Appendix A) be approved with the incorporation date of 1st November, 2018, creating a permanent Governing Body;

ii) The name of the school will be Ysgol Cwm Brombil.

Page 55

Reasons for Proposed Decision

15. To comply with legislative requirements for the establishment of a new school.

Implementation of Decision

16. The decision is proposed for implementation after the three day call in period.

Appendices

17. Instrument of Government at Appendix A.

List of Background Papers

18. Cabinet Report 5th January, 2017:

Dhttp://moderngov.neath- porttalbot.gov.uk/documents/g6640/Public%20reports%20pack%2 005th-Jan-2017

The New Maintained Schools (Wales) Regulations 2005:

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/wsi/2005/2912/contents/made

Officer Contact

19. Kathryn Gilbert, Principal Schools Governance Officer

Tel: 763598

Email: [email protected]

Page 56

Appendix A

INSTRUMENT OF GOVERNMENT - COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

1. The name of the school is:

Ysgol Cwm Brombil

2. The school is a community school.

3. The name of the governing body is:

Ysgol Cerrig Hir

4. The governing body shall consist of:

(a) Six parent governors;

(b) Five local authority governors;

(d) One staff governor;

(e) Five community governors;

(f) Headteacher (except at any time when he/she has given written notice to the clerk to the governing body that he/she chooses not to be a governor).

5. Total number of governors: Twenty (except at any time when the Headteacher has given notice as above that he/she chooses not to be a governor, when the total number of governors will be twelve.

6. This instrument of government comes into effect on 1st November, 2018.

7. This instrument was made by order of Neath Port Talbot Local Authority on 7th December, 2017.

Page 57 This page is intentionally left blank Agenda Item 8

NEATH PORT TALBOT COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL

Education, Skills and Culture Cabinet Board

7th December 2017

Report of the Head of Participation

Chris Millis

Matter for Monitoring Wards Affected: All Wards

Quarterly Performance Management Data 2017-2018 – Quarter 2 Performance (1st April 2017– 30th September 2017)

Purpose of the Report

To provide members with quarter 2 performance management data, complaints and compliments for the period 1st April 2017 to 30th September 2017 for Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning Directorate. This will enable the ESC Cabinet Board to discharge their functions in relation to performance management.

Executive Summary

The report provides education results and assessments at KS4, KS3 and KS2. Attendance and exclusion data over the Secondary and Primary Sectors. Data relating to the Statutory Assessment Process, the Youth Service and Childcare. Data relating to the Library Service including number of visitors, material issued and a summary of the number of people participation in a sporting activity at the council facilities.

Background

Quarterly data for members to compare results/outcomes.

Page 59 Financial Impact

The progress described in the quarterly report was delivered within reduced budgets.

Equality Impact Assessment

The Equality Act 2010 requires public bodies to “pay due regard to the need to:

 eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under the Act;  advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it; and foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristics and persons who do not share it.”

As the focus of this report is to report progress and Neath Port Talbot schools produce an annual Strategic Equalities Plan there is no requirement to undertake an equality impact assessment.

Workforce Impacts

The progress described in the quarterly report was achieved against a backdrop of a reduced workforce alongside ongoing financial challenges.

Legal Impacts

This progress report is prepared under:

The Local Government (Wales) Measure 2009 and discharges the Council’s duties to “make arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the exercise of its functions”.

The Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council Constitution requires each cabinet committee to monitor quarterly budgets and performance in securing continuous improvement of all the functions within its purview.

Risk Management

Failure to have robust performance monitoring arrangements could result in poor performance going undetected.

Page 60 Consultation

There is no requirement under the Constitution for external consultation on this item.

Recommendations

Members monitor performance contained within this report.

Reasons for Proposed Decision

Matter for monitoring. No decision required.

Implementation of Decision

Matter for monitoring. No decision required.

Appendices

Appendix 1 - Quarterly Performance Management Data 2017-2018 Appendix 2 - Compliments and Complaints 2017-2018

List of Background Papers

The Neath Port Talbot Corporate Improvement Plan - 2016-2019 “Rising to the Challenge”; Monitoring forms/spreadsheets Welsh Government Statistical Releases

Officer Contact

Neal Place, Performance Management Officer. E-mail [email protected]. Tel. 01639 763619

Page 61 Appendix 1

Quarterly Performance Management Data 2017-2018 – Quarter 2 Performance (1st April 2017 – 30th September 2017)

Report Contents:

Section 1: Key points. Section 2: Quarterly Performance Management Data and Performance Key. Section 3: Compliments & Complaints Data.

Section 1: Key points.

Education

 Secondary School attendance for the Academic Year 2016/17 has fallen slightly from 93.7% to 93.6% (provisional) when compared to the Academic Year 2015/16.

 The percentage of pupils who achieved the Key Stage 2 Core Subject Indicator has risen from 84.9% to 85.9% when compared to the Academic Year 2015/16.

 The percentage of pupils receiving a Teacher Assessment in Welsh (first language) at the end of Key Stage 2 has remained at 15.6% but has fallen by 1.5% to 11.2% at Key Stage 3.

 The percentage of pupils who achieved the Key Stage 3 Core Subject Indicator has risen from 77.7% to 79.6% when compared to the Academic Year 2015/16.

 The number of young people in contact with the youth service has increased from 19.10% to 24.47%. This equates to 740 more young people attending the youth service.

 The number of full day childcare places provided has fallen from 2569 to 2283. The fall can be attributed to a request from a number of establishments to be put on voluntary suspension for various reasons including low demand for childcare. NPTCBC are monitoring the situation to try and get a better understanding of why the numbers have reduced.

 The percentage of final statements of special education needs issued within 26 weeks excluding exceptions has fallen from maximum performance 100% to 95.12% and the number including exceptions has risen from 37.17% to 39.00%.

 There has been a rise in both the number of statements of special educational needs and new statements issued within the period.

 The number of permanent exclusions from Secondary Schools has fallen considerably from 19 to 12 but there has been a rise in permanent exclusions in primary schools from 0 to 1 and a rise in both sectors for fixed-term exclusions. Page 62  There has been a fall in the percentage of Year 11 pupils achieving 5 GCSEs at grades A*-C, or equivalent, including English or Welsh first language and Maths and a fall in the wider points score mainly due to a wide ranging changes to KS4 key indicator calculations in 2017. This has affected all other local authorities, and now places NPT below the Welsh averages in all provisional measures. The decrease in performance was most marked in mathematics and affected FSM and non-FSM pupils alike.

Sport and Leisure

 Visitors to local authority sports and leisure centres who participate in physical activity have seen a continuing steady rise in numbers due to the increasing popularity of the new “Aberavon Leisure and Fitness Centre” and the hire of “Ysgol Bae Baglan” facilities by the general public.

Libraries

 There has been a fall is the number of people using Public Libraries during the year, per 1,000 population which can be attributed to a number of key library staff being unable to attend work (sickness) resulting in a decrease in the number of activities on offer.

 There has also been a fall in the number of library materials issued which can be attributed to the continuing shortfall in the book budget, the timing of books issued to playgroups and technical difficulties with the Library Management System which are being investigated.

 It should be noted there is an increased use of digital services via national schemes (i.e. e-magazine and e-audio/e-book service) which are not reflected in the figures for these performance indicators. (approx. 13,000 issues and 6500 website).

Page 63 Section 2: Quarterly Performance Management Data and Performance key

2017-2018 – Quarter 2 Performance (1st April 2017 – 30th September 2017)

Note: The following references are included in the table. Explanations for these are as follows:

(PAM) Public Accountability Measures – a revised set of national indicators for 2017/18. Following feedback from authorities the revised performance measurement framework was ratified at the WLGA (Welsh Local Government Association) Council on 31 March 2017. These measures provide an overview of local government performance and how it contributes to the national well-being goals. This information is required and reported nationally, validated, and published annually.

All Wales - The data shown in this column is the figure calculated using the base data supplied by all authorities for 2015/2016 i.e. an overall performance indicator value for Wales.

(Local) 64 Page Local Performance Indicator set by the Council and also includes former national data sets (such as former National Strategic Indicators or Service Improvement Data – SID’s) that continue to be collected and reported locally.

Performance Key  Maximum Performance ↑ Performance has improved ↔ Performance has been maintained

v Performance is within 5% of previous year’s performance Performance has declined by 5% or more on previous year’s performance - Where performance has declined by 5% or ↓ more for the period in comparison to the previous year, an explanation is provided directly below the relevant performance indicator. ─ No comparable data (data not suitable for comparison /no data available for comparison) No All Wales data available for comparison. NPT Actual All Wales Quarter 2 Quarter 2 2015/16 2016/17 2016/17 2017/18 Direction of No PI Reference PI Description (2014/15 (2015/16 (2015/16 full (2016/17 Improvement academic academic academic academic year) year year) year)

The percentage of pupils assessed at the end of Key Stage 2, in schools 83.3% 89.0% 84.9% 85.9%

1 PAM/004 maintained by the local authority, achieving the Core Subject Indicator, as (1,194 of nd (1,331 of (1,315 of ↑ determined by Teacher Assessment. 1,433 pupils) 22 1,567 pupils) 1,531 pupils)

The percentage of pupils assessed at the end of Key Stage 3, in schools 77.8% 86.1% 77.7% 79.6%

2 PAM/005 maintained by the local authority, achieving the Core Subject Indicator, as (1,160 of nd (1,165 of (1,170 of ↑ determined by Teacher Assessment. 1,491 pupils) 22 1,499 pupils) 1,470 pupils)

1.2 2.6 1.6 EDU/008b The number of permanent exclusions during the academic year per 1,000 3 (Local) pupils from Secondary Schools. (9 from (19 from (12 from 7377 pupils) 7372 pupils) 7488 pupils) ↑

Page 65 Page The percentage of pupils assessed, in schools maintained by the local 14.1% 15.6% 15.6% EDU/006i 4 authority, receiving a Teacher Assessment in Welsh (first language) at the end 20.2% (Local) (202 of (244 of (239 of ↔ of Key Stage 2. 1,433 pupils) 1,567 pupils) 1,531 pupils)

93.7% 93.7% 93.6% (p) 94.2%

5 PAM/008 The percentage of pupil attendance in Secondary Schools. (2,148,160 (2,186,082 of (2,177,916 v of 2,293,388 18th 2,332,537 of 2,325,867 sessions) sessions) sessions)

The percentage of pupils assessed, in schools maintained by the local 11.6% 18.0% 12.7% 11.2% EDU/006ii 6 authority, receiving a Teacher Assessment in Welsh (first language) at the end (173 of (191 of (165 of v (Local) th of Key Stage 3. 1,491 pupils) 12 1,499 pupils) 1,470 pupils)

82.3% 81.4% 81.2% Percentage of pupils achieving the expected outcome at the end of the 7 PAM/003 Foundation Phase (1279 of (1264 of (1248 of v 1,554 pupils) 1,552 pupils) 1,537 pupils) NPT Actual All Wales Quarter 2 Quarter 2 2015/16 2016/17 2016/17 2017/18 Direction of No PI Reference PI Description (2014/15 (2015/16 (2015/16 full (2016/17 full Improvement academic academic academic academic year) year year) year)

58.4% 60.7% 61.5% 51.3% (p) Percentage of Year 11 pupils achieving 5 GCSEs at grades A*-C, or PAM/006 equivalent, including English or Welsh first language and Maths. (900 of th (918 of (763 of ↓ 8 1,542 pupils) 11 1,492 pupils) 1,486 pupils)

The wide ranging changes to KS4 key indicator calculations in 2017 has affected NPT results, as they have in all other local authorities, and now places NPT below the Welsh averages in all provisional measures. The decrease in performance was most marked in mathematics and affected FSM and non-FSM pupils alike.

0 0 0.1 EDU/008a The number of permanent exclusions during the academic year per 1,000

(Local) pupils from Primary Schools. (0 from (0 from (1 from ↓ 9071 pupils) 9220 pupils) 9220 pupils)

0.012% 0.014% Page 66 Page 0.018% The percentage of school days lost due to fixed-term exclusions during the EDU/010a (203 of (244 of (308 of (Local) academic year, in Primary Schools. 1,723,944 1,752,043 ↓ 1,754,871 days) days) days) 9

0.085% 0.101% 0.122% EDU/010b The percentage of school days lost due to fixed-term exclusions during the (1,255 of (1,417 of 10 (1,741 of (Local) academic year, in Secondary Schools. 1,484,278 1,401,376 1,422,450 days) ↓ days) days)

11 Exclusion data has been monitored closely and in response to the rise in fixed and permanent exclusions a Wellbeing and Behaviour team, comprising of staff with a range of experience and expertise, has been established and a designated manager has been appointed. In addition to this the LA has increased capacity of assessment places across both the primary and secondary sector for pupils with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties (SEBD). The establishment of this service and provision is a result of the reorganisation of the Education Other than at School Service (EOTAS) and has been implemented with Members agreement. The Wellbeing and Behaviour Team are also working with key professionals to develop a training package for all schools in meeting the needs of pupils with SEBD and this will be rolled out during the spring term. This change to services and provision has been in place as of September 2017 with the aim of embedding a continuum of support and increasing capacity within schools, as part of the LA’s long term plan in ensuring the needs of pupils with SEBD are effectively met.

534 EDU/011 The average wider point score for pupils aged 15 as at the preceding 31 586 th 556 435 (p) (Local) August, in schools maintained by the local authority. 7 ↓ 12 The wide ranging changes to KS4 key indicator calculations in 2017 has affected NPT results, as they have in all other local authorities, and now places NPT below the Welsh averages in all provisional measures. The decrease in performance was most marked in mathematics and affected FSM and non-FSM pupils alike. NPT Actual All Wales Quarter 2 Quarter 2 2015/16 2016/17 2016/17 2017/18 Direction of PI No PI Description (2014/15 (2015/16 (2015/16 (2016/17 Improvement Reference academic academic year academic Academic year) year) year)

The percentage of pupils in local authority care, in any local authority 0% 0% 0% EDU/002ii maintained school, aged 15 as at the preceding August, who leave compulsory Reported 13 st ─ (Local) education, training or work based learning without and approved external (0 of 21 1 (0 of 31 3rd Qtr qualification. pupils) pupils)

The percentage of all pupils (including those in local authority care), in any 0.1% 0.3% 0.3% EDU/002i local authority maintained school, aged 15 as at the preceding August, who Reported 14 th ─ (Local) leave compulsory education, training or work based learning without an (2 of 1,542 16 (4 of 1,492 3rd Qtr approved external qualification. pupils) pupils)

35.0 The average number of school days that permanently excluded pupils did not 26.7 EDU/009a (699 days Reported 15 receive an offer of full time appropriate education provision during the (240 days ─ (Local) for 20 3rd Qtr Page 67 Page academic year. for 9 pupils) pupils) 7.5 The average number of school days that permanently excluded pupils did not 11.9 EDU/009b (149 days Reported 16 receive an offer of part time appropriate education provision during the (107 days ─ (Local) for 20 3rd Qtr academic year. for 9 pupils) pupils)

94.8% 94.6% 94.9% Reported 17 PAM/007 Percentage of pupil attendance in Primary Schools. (3,262,430 (3,306,608 3rd Qtr ─ of 3,441,713 19 th of 3,496,979 sessions) sessions)

Percentage of Year 11 leavers not in education, training or employment. 3.6% 3.6% Reported 18 PAM/009 (NEET) (56 of 1,542 (53 of 1492 4th Qtr ─ pupils) pupils)

Education - Other

All Wales 2016/17 Quarter 2 Quarter 2 PI 2015/16 2016/17 Direction of No PI Description (2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 Reference Actual Actual Improvement academic year

10.53% 45.53% 37.17% * 39.00% * The percentage of final statements of special education needs issued EDU/015a 77.4% 20 within 26 weeks including exceptions. (Qtr 3) (Qtr 3) (Local) (10 of 95 (56 of 123 th (measured over the 2016 calendar year - quarterly) 20 (29 of 78 (39 of 100 ↑ pupils) pupils) pupils) pupils) The percentage of 11 - 19 year olds in contact with the youth 31.31% 36.70% 19.1% 24.47% L(Yth)2+ 21 service. (Local) (4,431 of (5,108 of (2,660 of (3,400 of ↑ (measured cumulatively over the 2016/17 financial year - quarterly) 14,150) 13,920) 13,920) 13,897)

100% 100% 100% * 95.12% * The percentage of final statements of special education needs issued 95.4% EDU/015b (Qtr 3) (Qtr 3)

19 68 Page within 26 weeks excluding exceptions. (Local) 10 of 10 56 of 56 v (measured over the 2016 calendar year - quarterly) 1 st (29 of 29 (39 of 41 pupils) pupils) pupils) pupils) L(FP) 1+ Number of full day childcare places provided. 2,003 2,281 2,569 2,283 (Local) (measured over the 2016/17 financial year - quarterly) ↓ 22 The fall can be attributed to a request from a number of establishments to be put on voluntary suspension for various reasons including low demand for childcare. NPTCBC are monitoring the situation to try and get a better understanding of why the numbers have reduced. L(SEN) 1b Total number of children with statements of special educational 866 * 799 843 792 * (Local) needs. (measured over the 2016 calendar year - quarterly) (Qtr 3) (Qtr 3) ─

L(SEN) 1a Number of children with new statements of special educational 100* 95 123 78 * (Local) needs. (measured over the 2016 calendar year - quarterly) (Qtr 3) (Qtr 3) ─ 23 The increase in the total number of statements of special education needs can be attributed to a greater number of pupils moving into NPT who are already in 24 receipt of a Statement which the Local Authority has to adopt. The number of new statements of special education needs has been heavily influenced by a large increase in the number of parental requests for Statutory Assessments which have resulted in a Statement of special education needs. Due to increased information and publicity around Welsh Government’s reform of ALN legislation, the number of requests received continues to increase. Performance over time is non-comparable for these indicators as they are largely influenced by third party services where the council has no control.

*- Calendar year data - 6 months data

Leisure and Libraries

2016/17 All Wales Quarter 2 Quarter 2 Direction of No PI Reference PI Description Actual 2016/17 2016/17 2017/18 Improvement

8,005 8,387 2,825 The number of visits to local authority sport and leisure centres during the year, 3,566 25 PAM/017 (1,128.704 (396,943 (504,860 per 1,000 population where the visitor will be participating in physical activity. th ↑ visits) 15 visits) visits)

5,738 5,480 2,807 PAM/016 The number of people using Public Libraries during the year, per 1,000 2,957 (808,966 (397,500 population. th (416,909 ↓ 26 visits) 7 visits) visits) The fall can be attributed to a number of key library staff being unable to attend work (sickness) therefore there has been a decrease in the number of activities on offer. Page 69 Page 2,961 1,539 1442 LCL/004 The number of library materials issued, during the year, per 1,000 population. (417,407 (216,998 (204,133 (Local) ↓ 27 issued) issued) issued) The fall can be attributed to the continuing shortfall in the book budget, the timing of books issued to playgroups and technical difficulties with the Library Management System which are being investigated.

LCL/003 75% Reported 28 The percentage of library material requests supplied within 7 calendar days. ─ ─ (Local) (127 of 170) 3rd Qtr

LCL/002a Reported 29 The number of publicly accessible computers per 10,000 population. 6 ─ (Local) 4th Qtr ─

LCL/002b Reported 30 The percentage of available computer hours, in use. 39% ─ (Local) 4th Qtr ─

Appendix 2

Section 3: Compliments and Complaints

2017-2018 – Quarter 2 (1st April 2017– 30th September 2017) – Cumulative data

Performance Key ↑ Improvement : Reduction in Complaints/ Increase in Compliments

Page 70 Page ↔ No change in the number of Complaints/Compliments v Increase in Complaints but within 5%/ Reduction in Compliments but within 5% of previous year. ↓ Increase in Complaints by 5% or more/ Reduction in Compliments by 5% or more of previous year.

No Full Year Quarter 2 Quarter 2 Direction of PI Description 2016-17 2016-17 2017-18 Improvement

Total Complaints - Stage 1 20 19 18 ↑

a - Complaints - Stage 1 upheld 0 0 0 1 b -Complaints - Stage 1 not upheld 20 19 18

0 c -Complaints - Stage 1 partially upheld 0 0

No Full Year Quarter 2 Quarter 2 Direction of PI Description 2016-17 2016-17 2017-18 Improvement Total Complaints - Stage 2 2 1 2 ↓

a - Complaints - Stage 2 upheld 0 0 0 2 b - Complaints - Stage 2 not upheld 2 1 2

c- Complaints - Stage 2 partially upheld 0 0 0

Total - Ombudsman investigations 2 2 0 ↑

3 a - Complaints - Ombudsman investigations upheld 0 0 0 Page 71 Page b - Complaints - Ombudsman investigations not upheld 2 2 0

4 Number of compliments 8 3 97 ↑ Summary:-

Stage 1:- 2017/18 second quarter has seen a decrease in the number of complaints received when compared to 2016/17 second quarter, from 19 to 18. Complaints in 2017/18 concern Margam Park admission prices, animal welfare and the conditional of the park. All the complaints were not upheld but processes are in place to prevent future reoccurrences where ever possible.

Stage 2:- 2017/18 second quarter has seen an increase in the number of complaints received when compared to 2016/17 second quarter, from 1 to 2. The complaints concerned a statement of Special Education Needs and a School Cleaner. Both were not upheld.

Ombudsman: - There have been no complaints escalated to the Ombudsman.

Compliments: - The number of compliments has risen from 3 to 97 when compared to 2016/17 second quarter. (Data is now collected from Social Media)

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NEATH PORT TALBOT COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL

Education, Skills & Culture Cabinet Board 7th December 2017

Report of the Head of Participation – Christopher Millis

Matter for Information

Wards Affected: All NPT & Bridgend Wards

Ongoing delivery of the UK Governments Work Programme

Purpose of the Report

To update Members with regard to the current Work Programme performance funded by UK Government.

Executive Summary

The Work Programme is one of the UK governments flagship programmes introduced by the Conservative lead coalition Government. Participants are referred to the programme by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) when they reach a specific milestone by type of participant group (there’s 8 different types of groups in use in Wales) for length of unemployment or have been assessed by the Work Capability Assessment as being in the Employment Support Allowance (ESA) Work Ready Activity Group (WRAG).

Participants are on programme for 2 years and income to the service is by “Payments by Results”, so the majority of participant groups have to enter sustained employment for at least 6 months before any income is

Page 73 generated. We then receive monthly payments for any customer that remains in sustainable employment for a minimum of 12 months.

Background

NPT Works is a non-statutory service was created in 2009 as a specialised unit delivering welfare-to-work programmes on behalf of the UK Government’s Department for Work & Pensions. Initially delivering Labour’s flexible New Deal Programme, but since 2011, The Work Programme in Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend County Boroughs.

At its peak, NPT Works was dealing with 2,500 participants, more recently the numbers on programme has decreased to around 450 and in turn the number of staff delivering the programme has reduced significantly to 6 FTE and the likelihood is that number will decrease this financial year as participant numbers continue to fall.

NPT Works has an annual turnover of over £400,000 with all income derived from a commercial contract with Rehab JobFit who are one of two Prime Contractor for the Work Programme delivery in Wales.

Over the past 2 years staffing levels have decreased significantly in order to meet the budget targets within NPTCBC coupled with the decreasing caseloads.

In October 2017 a new programme was announced and the successful organisations were sought. Unfortunately NPTCBC were not part of the winners bid.

Since the Work Programme’s inception in 2011 the contract has secured more than 2840 employment opportunities for people across the 2 local authority areas.

DWP/RJF currently expects minimum performance levels (MPL) of 145% over a rolling 12 months. We are currently performing at 145.5% (September 17 report). Performance is based solely on job outcomes (customers that have been in employment for up to 6 months, with no breaks in employment). The performance of the contract depends on the amount of customers that convert from job entry around 6 months ago. We operate a commercial contract that is a payment by results model. It

Page 74 is essential that staff are monitored effectively ensuring all Key Performance Indicators (KPI) are reached/exceeded.

In terms of governance the project will continue to sit with Participation, and the services provided will continue to link with other Employability initiatives on a regular basis. The following are in place and set to continue –

 Reporting to Education, Skills and Culture Board

 Continued links with the NPT Employment Support Group – all employment providers for the locality sit on this group and information is shared at an operational level.

 Continued links with the Bridgend Employment Liaison Partnership (BELP) – all employment providers for the locality sit on this group and information is shared at an operational level.

 Continued links with the Engagement Providers Group

 Regular liaison with Skills & Training, ACL and Probation Services

Financial Impact

NPT Works are working closely with finance to ensure that we meet our annual budget. This is becoming more difficult as we progress closer to the termination date. Equality Impact Assessment

Having considered the Council's screening assessment guidance produced to assist the Council in discharging its Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act 2010 it has been determined that the proposal within this report does not require an equalities impact assessment. Workforce Impacts

Management of change for the current Work Programme has been completed once this year. It is being completed in order to minimise workforce impacts for the employees of the Council. Staff have been

Page 75 placed on prior consideration for new vacancies and 2 have gained other employment over the past 3 months. Legal Impacts

There are no legal impacts associated with this report Risk Management

Risks have been identified and submitted in a briefing paper to EDDLS SMT. Consultation

There is no requirement under the Constitution for external consultation on this item. Recommendations

The report is for information purposes only. Reasons for Proposed Decision

N/A Implementation of Decision N/A Appendices N/A

List of Background Papers N/A Officer Contact

Mr Chris Millis, Head of Participation, 01639 763226 – [email protected]

Page 76 Mrs Angeline Spooner-Cleverly, Participation Co-ordinator, 01639 686044 – [email protected]

Page 77 This page is intentionally left blank Agenda Item 10

NEATH PORT TALBOT COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL

Education, Skills and Culture Committee 7th December 2017

Report of the Head of Participation – Chris Millis

Matter for monitoring

Wards Affected: All

Annual Report on NEETs 2017

Purpose of the Report

1. To inform Members of the outcomes and progress made with young people who are Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) or those young people who are at risk of becoming NEET and how new development may affect this area of work.

2. Executive Summary

Neath Port Talbot Youth Service's work with NEET young people is funded through the Youth Support Grant which is an external funding stream. Changes to the Families First grant since 1st April 2017 has reduced the number of Youth Workers focusing on supporting NEET young people.

Partnership working with JCP is still a strong aspect of the work undertaken by the Youth Service and the Youth Service mobile provision (the Rolling Zone) is still used as an outreach resource for young people who are NEET and require additional support.

The young people supported in Tier 2 often have significant barriers which can prevent attainment and engagement. Partnership working between the KIT workers and specialist support agencies is vital to address and reduce the obstacles they face. The Keeping in Touch

Page 79

workers liaise closely with Careers Wales, colleges, work place providers, Youth Justice, Children's and Social Services and key workers to provide individuals with bespoke post 16 support

Communities First Youth Workers support young people who are NEET or at risk of becoming NEET. This work occurs within schools with young people identified by their schools as being at risk of disengagement.

The Youth Service Families First team continues to deliver a Transition Programme for young people in Year 6 and Year 7 working with over 200 young people over the year.

In NPT we have recently changed the remit of the KIT Team to focus on tracking Tier 1 young people which has proved very successful and this figure has reduced from over 130 Tier 1 young people in July 2016 to 5 Tier 1 young people in October 2017

This month we have received ESF approval for the Cam Nesa provision which enables the Youth Service to recruit a team of Cam Nesa Youth Workers who will support young people aged 16-25 with the aim of helping them transition from NEET into employment.

Background

3. Neath Port Talbot Youth Service's work with NEET young people is funded through the Youth Support Grant which is an external funding stream that was previously 2 separate grants, the Revenue Support Grant and the Youth Engagement & Progression Grant. The NEET provision within the service has a separate team the Keeping in Touch Team (KIT Team) that consists of:

0.5 x Engagement Progression Coordinator

1 x KIT Team Leader

2 x KIT Youth Workers

This team work closely with others within the Youth Service and with partners to support young people. Changes to the Families First grant since 1st April 2017 has reduced the number of Youth Workers focusing on supporting NEET young people.

Page 80

4. Job Centre Plus (JCP)

Partnership working with JCP is still a strong aspect of the work undertaken by the Youth Service. Feedback from Job Centre staff and management has been extremely positive with the service being viewed as invaluable to them and the young people.

The aim of the work with JCP is to support young people aged 18-24 to overcome any barriers they have to entering employment. Young people are supported by the team to develop their employability skills, increase confidence and access other youth support services to enable them to address their needs. The type of support provided includes work related training, sign posting, helping with work experience and volunteering placements, CV writing, interview techniques, job search and opportunities to look at local labour market information and providing general advice and support. We now have KIT Youth Workers based in both Port Talbot and Neath Job Centres.

5. Mobile Provision

The Youth Service mobile provision (the Rolling Zone) is still used as an outreach resource for young people who are NEET and require additional support. It operates every Tuesday in the Port Talbot area. This year the KIT Team are piloting the Mobile Provision in Neath Town Centre every Thursday. Both are a mix of pre-booked appointments with young people referred from JCP, training providers and other organisations as well as young people self-referring. They receive the same support as that provided in the Job Centre as well as access to laptops to undertake Construction Site Safety Card and Food Hygiene training. The mobile provision is also used by the Communities for Work Youth Mentors to support young people from Communities First areas.

6. Keeping in Touch Worker Tier Work

This part of the NEET work involves working with young people who have left education and have been identified as being NEET using the Careers Wales Five Tier Model (please see appendix 1) and with particular attention on Tier 1 and 2 lists. The young people referred often have significant barriers which can prevent attainment and engagement. Partnership working between the KIT workers and specialist support agencies is vital to address and reduce the obstacles they face. The Keeping in Touch workers liaise closely with colleges, work place providers, Youth Justice, Children's and Social Services and key workers to provide individuals with bespoke post 16 support.

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7. Communities First Youth Team

Communities First Youth Workers also support young people who are NEET or at risk of becoming NEET. This work occurs within schools with young people identified by their schools as being at risk of disengagement. Youth workers provide one-to-one and group work sessions and provide accredited courses; personal and social development opportunities; breakfast, lunch and after-school clubs and employability related activities. Youth workers are also trained as Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSA) - an initiative designed to build the capacity of schools to support the emotional needs of their pupils.

The Communities First Youth Workers also work in partnership with the schools and Careers Wales to support young people through the transition period from secondary school to further education, work based learning and employment. This work is planned to continue using Communities First Legacy Grant funding.

8. Primary Transition

The Youth Service Families First team continues to deliver a Transition Programme for young people in Year 6 and Year 7. The PSHE/Citizenship programme aims to support young people, identified by their schools as needing additional support during their transition from primary to secondary school.

The programme consists of 20 -30 hours of learning and is accredited using the Asdan Stepping Stones Award. The young people take part in a range of challenges covering topics such as Active Citizenship, Identity, Personal Well-being and Valuing Each Other.

The programme is now delivered in 15 Primary schools in Neath Port Talbot. The number of young people who engaged in the programme was 216 individuals, with 160 individuals completing the full 30 hours of learning and achieving the Asdan Stepping Stones Award. Through evaluation forms, 172 individuals stated they now feel more positive about school or learning and 82 individuals have improved attendance according to their schools.

The programme is planned to continue in 2018/19 following such positive outcomes and feedback from the schools and young people that took part and will expand taking on additional schools bringing the total number of schools supported to 21.

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9. Case Studies

The result in Youth Work engagement is often best demonstrated by Case Studies and appendix 2 includes case studies from the KIT Team and the Communities First Team.

10. Engagement and Progression

The NEETS strategy, (Youth Engagement Strategy 2013-2023) continues to set out a multi-agency approach to ensuring young peoples’ engagement in education, employment and training. The strategy focuses on young people aged 11-25 which is a wider age range than that of traditional NEETS (16-18). The strategy also takes into account the Welsh Government Youth Engagement and Progression Framework. A Senior Youth Officer has taken on the duties of the Engagement and Progression Co-ordinator.

The Youth Service and local authority take lead roles in the Youth Engagement Strategy (YES) group and the NEETs Multi Agency (NEETS MAG) group which brings partners around the table to discuss both strategic and operational issues around the NEETs agenda.

The Careers Wales 5 Tier Model which they use to categorise young people's situation with regards to education, employment and training status is used to help identify and track young people who are NEET aged 16-18. It is the remit of Careers Wales to work with young people who are in Tier 3 and are close to entering education, employment or training.

The finding of Tier 1 young people has resulted in finding more Tier 2 young people and has identified a lack of provision needed to help support some of the young people who have substantial barriers to them engaging with education, employment and training. The EPC and KIT Team continue to work in partnership with key partners to help address the needs of young people in all Tiers with a focus on Tiers 1 and 2. Communities First, housing associations, Youth Justice, Social Services and other provisions also play a part in helping support young people within all tiers and there continues to be a focus on tiers 1 and 2. See

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Appendix 3 for the latest 3 Tier figures, Tiers 2 and 3 represent the number of young people confirmed as NEET.

The annual NEETS figure based on destinations of year 11 leavers for 2016 was once again 3.6%. Last year NPT was ranked as the worst performing LA on destination figures but with much better collaboration between the Youth Service, Careers Wales and the Schools and also an improved multi agency approach to supporting transition we are very hopeful that this figure will drop significantly for 2017. The official figure for this will not be published until April 2018.

11. ESF Funded Support.

The Cynnydd Provision supports young people in all secondary schools working on their attendance, attainment and behaviour. This provision now sits within the Inclusion service under the Wellbeing Team.

12. Conclusion

Members are requested to note the following:

The improvement in reducing the number of Year 11 NEET young people in Neath Port Talbot from 4.4% in 2013 to 3.6% in 2016 and potential further significant reductions expected for 2017.

The effective partnership working with Job Centre Plus to address the needs of 18-25 young unemployed and also Careers Wales with regards to 16-18 NEETs.

The positive results and effective use of external grants focusing on working with NEET young people.

The work on reducing the number of NEET young people across Tiers 1 - 3 highlighted in Appendix 3.

Financial Impact

13. There are no financial impacts in relation to this report but Members should note that the NEET support is solely funded through external grants:

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The Youth Support Grant which is a Welsh Government grant until 31st March 2018 and we are currently awaiting further approval.

Communities First Grant funded until 31st March 2018 and to be continued under the Communities First Legacy Grant.

Equality Impact Assessment

14. Having considered the Council's screening assessment guidance produced to assist the Council in discharging its Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act 2010 it has been determined that the proposal within this report does not require an equalities impact assessment.

Workforce Impacts

15. There are no direct workforce or staffing issues in relation to this report.

Legal Impacts

16. There is no legal impact in relation to this report.

Risk Management

17. There is no identified risk to this report.

Consultation

18. Not applicable.

Recommendations

19. The report be noted.

Implementation of Decision

20. Not applicable.

Appendices

Appendix 1 - Careers Wales 5 Tier Model Appendix 2 - Case Studies

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Appendix 3 - Tier Graph

Officer Contact

21. Chris Millis Head of Participation, Telephone 01639 763226 e-mail [email protected]

Angeline Spooner-Cleverly, Participation Co-Ordinator, Telephone 01639 686044 e-mail [email protected]

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Appendix 1

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Appendix 2

KIT Team Case Study

An example of work carried out by the KIT team involved a young person on the Port Talbot Jobcentre caseload. On initial contact, the young person stated she had a career goal of becoming a midwife. I discussed her GCSE’s results and what options that could be looked at to work towards her career goal which would start with an Access to Health course.

As the young person is living independently and estranged from parents, I offered to make enquires with JCP as the benefit she was on would not be paid if returning to full time education. I discussed her situation with the Advisor enquiring whether a claim for Income Support and Housing Benefit could be made if returning to full time education. I also spoke to the local college and was told the next course would not run until September 2017. We discussed an interim plan and I suggested enrolling on a Work Based Learning programme. This option would benefit her career goal but eliminate the conditionality to look for work. I contacted a training provider to discuss the plan before closing down the JSA claim. Following this, I booked and attended a careers appointment to discuss the plan and arrange the next step. A follow up appointment was made for the training provider to enrol the young person on to the engagement programme and a start date agreed.

We attended the local jobcentre and closed her Jobseekers claim and made a claim for Income Support in order for Housing Benefit to make the smooth transition as the young person lived alone.

As a result of KIT intervention, the young people started an engagement programme with a placement in a local nursery which will provide valuable experience before embarking on the next step of the career journey.

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Appendix 2 continued

Com 1st Team Case Study

I had previously worked with Diane at school where she would attend some of the session I run. During school Diane had issues with her attendance, mental health issues, behaviour and her ability to mix with new peers.

On leaving school I supported Diane to visit Work Based Learning providers for her to decide what her best options were. On the first day of starting with the provider Diane was very anxious and nervous. Diane rung for support as she felt that she could not go in. I met Diane at the placement and supported her to meet the staff, which then enabled her to be part of the induction. Diane stated that if I was not available at that time then she would not have gone in and would have gone home.

Eight weeks on and the provider has informed me that Diane has not missed a day and has been an excellent support to her peers. Supporting them to complete tasks and by being a good role model.

Diane informed me that she is really glad that she stayed on the first day and that the WBL provider have now got her out on placement, where she is working in a charity shop.

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Appendix 3

Page 90 Agenda Item 11

NEATH PORT TALBOT COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL

Children, Young People and Education Scrutiny Committee 27th November 2017

Report of the Head of Participation – Chris Millis

Matter for information

Wards Affected: All

Skills and Training Update

Purpose of the Report

To inform Members of the progress of Skills and Training in Neath Port Talbot. Executive Summary

Skills and Training delivers Welsh Government funded specialist programmes of learning and training offering Work-Based Learning opportunities and bespoke commercial training to meet the needs of local residents, employers and their employees.

Skills & Training has secured continued funding in partnership with SAW from WG to March 2019.

Skills & Training have been a Prince’s Trust franchise holder since 1990. To date 163 Team Programmes have been delivered, supporting more than 2160 participants aged 16-25 to develop the self-confidence, employability skills and qualifications to reach their potential.

Delivery/ engagement on courses has increased from 950 individuals reported in January 2017 to 1,500 to date.

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Background

Skills and Training are founding members of, and work in partnership with a diverse range of outstanding and like-minded providers known as Skills Academy Wales (SAW). SAW was established as the first Work- Based Learning Consortium of its kind in Wales in October 2009 and has been operating as a single contract with the Welsh Government since August 2010, led by NPTC Group, offering provision for the delivery of Work-Based Learning programmes throughout North, Mid and South Wales.

Partner organisations for Skills Academy Wales are: Pathways Training; Learn-kit Ltd; Gwendraeth Valley Community Enterprise Ltd (Jobforce Wales); Llanelli Rural Council; ACO Training Ltd; NPT County Borough Council (Skills & Training); Swansea ITeC Ltd and Coleg y Cymoedd.

In 2016 Skills Academy Wales was the Highest Performing Apprenticeship provider in Wales.

Welsh Government specialist ‘employability’ programmes are designed to engage people, address learning barriers and offer basic qualifications and work experience. The programmes cater for different client groups both under and over the age of 18, who are not in full-time education or employment (NEET).

Skills & Training has secured continued funding in partnership with SAW from WG to March 2019.

Skills & Training deliver a variety of WG funded courses for Apprenticeships, Traineeships, Traineeship Engagement, (such as the Prince’s Trust Team Programme). In addition, Work Tasters are available in most occupational areas for Traineeship Engagement Learners. Skills & Training also delivers specialised Occupational Areas for Level 1, 2 & 3.

Skills & Training is a non-statutory service delivering a range of work tasters, learning programmes, qualifications and employment opportunity programmes for people from the age of 14 - 65. Current delivery services are across the Neath Port Talbot County Borough,

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Swansea Bay and Bridgend regions, the organisation engages with approximately 250-300 learners and job seekers at any one time.

Staffing levels have reduced by half in the last three years; the organisation currently has 21 posts, 7 of which are part-time.

Community Benefits

Skills & Training/Tir Morfa have been working on a project with Keep Wales Tidy, NPTCBC’S Tidy Towns and Rhos Afan school children’s ‘eco group’ to develop a project with practical workshops open to all partners and the public to attend, delivered by the local experts. The Tir Morfa Community Garden has an open air class room area, poly tunnel, plants to attract wildlife. In July 2017 Skills & Training donated the first produce to the local foodbank and have since made a further donation.

This community/environmental project activity is being developed to provide learners with excellent opportunities to engage with and make a difference to their community, as well as supporting disadvantaged groups in the local community. Plots have been shared with other local groups e.g. YMCA, ACL (offering gardening courses to local residents), Bspoked (a project evolved from a conventional Social Services day centre for people with learning disabilities). Learners have had the opportunity to undertake healthy eating sessions, cooking and eating the produce they have grown and have also taken home produce to their families to cook. This project won the ‘Community Impact Award’ for Wales in November 2017 at the National Princes Trust Celebrate Success Awards, and has been put forward to represent Wales in the UK Awards.

Increased Pre 16 Delivery options/engagement.

A new partnership has been developed with Ysgol Bae Baglan. Skills & Training started working with 28 pupils (3 groups) to complete a two year City & Guilds Level 2 Hairdressing Qualification. The success of this course has resulted in an agreement to increase the delivery to 6 groups, a further 24 pupils started in September 2017. In addition to this provision has been increased to include four further schools to deliver a

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City & Guilds Level one qualification in Hairdressing where the young person also attends a placement with a local employer.

Skills & Training have also devised a 12 week bespoke motivational course for Ysgol Bae Baglan, to support the pupils and the school by increasing confidence, motivation, raising self-esteem, and developing their communication and team building skills. The success of this course has resulted in a further four schools requesting the same course.

Bespoke land based courses have also been developed. Delivered over 28 weeks, the course includes training to achieve; CSCS cards, Manual Handling, IOSH Working Safely, The Safe use of Strimmer’s, The Safe use of Petrol Blowers and The Safe Use of Mowers.

There are two Volunteer groups currently being run:

1. Working in Afan Forest Park in conjunction with Job Centre Plus, approximately 40 volunteers attend throughout the year to gain work experience and qualifications (to date all volunteers have been male, aged between 18 and 60).

2. Working in Afan Forest Park in partnership with Cognation to help maintain cycle paths. (15 volunteers, mixed group of males and females aged between 25 and 65).

Furthermore 16 charitable fund raising events have taken place during 2017 to date to support disadvantaged groups in the local community.

13 Community/environmental project activities have been completed for learners to engage with and make a difference to their communities.

100% of learners were screened using the Wales Essential Skills Toolkit (WEST).

Staff delivering courses received CPD for the achievement of the ‘Certificate in Essential Skills Practitioners’ Course (Level 2 and/ or 3).

Information Security processes have been devised and implemented in preparation for a WG audit to achieve compliancy by 2018.

Skills & Training are preparing to introduce and implement ‘born digital’ systems for sign up and delivery of Work Based Learning Programmes May 2018. Delivery/ engagement on courses has increased from 950 individuals reported in January 2017 to 1,500 to date.

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Financial Impact

There are no financial impacts associated with the report.

Equality Impact Assessment

There are no workforce impacts associated with this report. Legal Impacts

There is no legal impacts associated with this report.

Risk Management

There is no risk management issues associated with this report.

Consultation

There is no requirement under the Constitution for external consultation on this item.

Recommendations

The report is for information purposes only.

Implementation of Decision

Not applicable.

Appendices

N/A

Officer Contact

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Chris Millis Head of Participation, Telephone 01639 763226 e-mail [email protected]

Mrs Angeline Spooner-Cleverly, Participation Co-ordinator, 01639 686044 – [email protected]

Page 96 Agenda Item 12

NEATH PORT TALBOT COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL

Education, Skills and Culture Committee 7th December 2017

Report of the Head of Participation – Chris Millis

Matter for Information

Wards Affected: All

Youth Service Update 2017

Purpose of the Report

1. To inform Members of the work carried out by Neath Port Talbot Youth Service.

2. Executive Summary.

Youth Work is delivered through a variety of settings and methods within NPT and has a vital role in the Youth Engagement and Progression Framework, the Families First programme and in supporting young people.

Funding has been reduced over the last 5 years which has had an impact on provision and workforce and the Youth Service is now heavily external grant funded.

The Youth Service provides both open access and targeted provision for young people aged 11-25. The targeted approach has increased with work being targeted at vulnerable young people and NEET or at risk of NEET young people.

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The Youth Service participation numbers are above the Welsh average and have increased due to greater working with schools such as lunch clubs.

Youth Engagement has resulted in a reduction of NEETs that will be reported on separately. Work supporting schools previously funded by Communities First is planned to continue under Communities First Legacy.

Families First funding is used to target vulnerable young people and targeted groups such as one to one caseload work with young people from TAF and Children's Services, bereavement support, Substance misuse support, Speech & Language support and a new LGBT Group.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme continues to be amongst the best in Wales with regards to new starter numbers and completion numbers.

The Youth Council is a very pro active group of young people elected by their peers with members from most secondary schools as well as special interest groups such as young carers, looked after children and speech and language and LGBT groups.

Background

3. Within Neath Port Talbot Youth Work is delivered through a variety of settings and methods e.g. centre-based work; community-based, outreach and mobile work; work with a broad range of members of the community and partners; targeted provision for specific groups in a variety of environments including schools and colleges. Youth Work within Neath Port Talbot plays a vital role in the Youth Engagement and Progression Framework, the Families First programme and in supporting young people.

Neath Port Talbot Youth Services vision and mission statements are:

Vision is “To encourage and enable young people to have fun, participate in all opportunities available to them and to gain the skills needed to become happy, confident and fulfilled adults and members of their communities.”

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Mission Statement is "To deliver good quality learning, social and recreational opportunities and activities through highly motivated, well trained and enthusiastic youth workers in safe and friendly places accessible to all young people."

Over the past 4 years the Youth Service Core budget has been reduced from £1,044,126 (2013/14) to £502,602 which is a 52% reduction. Grant funding has also been reduced from £693,071 (13/14) to £583,144 (16/17) which is 15% less grant funding.

Savings have resulted in the Youth Service reducing its workforce significantly from 36 fulltime staff in 12/13 to 24 staff in 16/17 and 97 part time staff in 13/14 to 61 part time staff in 16/17. This has meant that we have had to look at different and more innovative ways of engaging with young people and also look at whether we were targeting the resource at the right young people.

Over the last few years Youth Work within Neath Port Talbot has taken on a more targeted approach to help support vulnerable young people. A detailed Youth Service Structure is attached as Appendix 1. The service now comprises of 4 teams 2 of which are core funded:

Participation Team (Core funded)

Youth Engagement & Progression Team (includes Communities 1st Youth Workers)

Families First Team

Duke of Edinburgh Award Team (Core funded)

4. The Participation Team

This team provide support for 12 Youth Clubs which are open in - Blaengwynfi, Bryn, Bryncoch, Cimla, Croeserw, Crynant, Cwmllynfell, Cymmer, Glynneath, Seven Sisters, Taibach and Ysgol Bae Baglan. Youth clubs are open between 1 and 3 nights a week for 30 weeks based roughly on schools terms.

There are currently 61 part time staff employed within the Youth Clubs and 5 workforce volunteers. During 2016/17 1,052 individual young people accessed Youth Clubs with 11,147 contacts.

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The Participation team also provide Lunch Clubs within 3 Schools using the Mobile Provision (Rolling Zone). Activities include organised games such as dodgeball and volley ball, skipping sessions and also reward activities such as mobile crazy golf. The lunch clubs also give young people the opportunity to access iPads, board games, games consoles, bingo and music etc but most importantly they give the young people access to youth work support.

The Relationship Advice Drop-in Service (RADS) provision sits within the Participation team and provides relationship and sexual health advice for young people aged 14-25. The RADS team are specially trained youth workers who provide young people with barrier contraception and signpost young people to health services where relevant.

5. Youth Engagement & Progression Team

The Youth Engagement & Progression Team provide support for young people that are NEET and at risk of becoming NEET. The Communities First Youth Workers sit within this team and work within the Schools providing support for young people within year 9-11 and also transition support for young people post 16 up until 31st October. The Keeping in Touch Youth Workers provide support for NEET young people aged 16-24 in partnership with Careers Wales and DWP.

The Engagement Progression Coordinator also sits within this team and supports the implementation of the Youth Engagement & Progression Framework.

NEETs figures and progress within Neath Port Talbot have been set out in the Annual NEETS Report.

6. Families First Youth Team

The Families First specification has changed recently with a greater focus on targeted support for vulnerable young people and groups. Within the Youth Service the Families First Youth Workers support 4 vulnerable groups - Brightside Bereavement Support Group, Speech Language & Communication Group, WCADA Group and has recently developed a LGBT Group.

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Families First also support young people transition from Primary to Secondary schools. During 2016/17 the team supported 15 primary schools and 216 young people.

The Families First Youth Workers each have a caseload of young people that they support aged 9-25 that are referred to the service via the Team Around the Family (TAF) and also Children's Services.

Families First funding also helps the local authority map out wider youth support services via the Youth Support Services Liaison Officer. The Youth Providers Network has recently been relaunched in partnership between the youth service and CVS with each taken on the role of co-chair.

7. Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme

The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme is active in all secondary schools and delivers the Award at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels. NPT Youth Services D of E Officer also manages the Open Gold Centre. NPT is constantly recognised as providing one of the best award schemes in Wales.

8. Youth Council

Neath Port Talbot Youth Council are now fully elected with young people being elected from their schools and also from special interest groups such as Looked after Children, Speech & Language Club, Young Carers and Colleges.

The Youth Council Report is attached as Appendix 2

9. A more detailed summary of the youth service is attached in Appendix 3

A more detailed summary of the youth services partnership work is attached in Appendix 4

A more detailed summary of the youth service work within schools is attached in Appendix 5

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10. Conclusion

Members are requested to note the following:

The Number of young people aged 11-25 engaging with the Youth Service has risen from 4,542 young people in 2012/13 to 5,516 in 2016/17

The Youth Service is now a more targeted service with over 50% of its funding coming from external grants.

NPT Youth Service is ranked 15th out of the 22 local authorities with regards to total budget and 5th in Wales with regards to the percentage of 11-25 year old members.

Financial Impact

11. There are no financial impacts in relation to this report but Members should note that the Youth Service is highly dependent on external grants:

The Youth Support Grant which is a Welsh Government grant until 31st March 2018 and we are currently awaiting further approval.

Communities First Grant funded until 31st March 2018 and hopefully to be continued under the Communities First Legacy Grant.

Equality Impact Assessment

12. Having considered the Council's screening assessment guidance produced to assist the Council in discharging its Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act 2010 it has been determined that the proposal within this report does not require an equalities impact assessment.

Workforce Impacts

13. There are no direct workforce or staffing issues in relation to this report.

Legal Impacts

14. There is no legal impact in relation to this report.

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Risk Management

15. There is no identified risk to this report.

Consultation

16. Not applicable.

Recommendations

17. The report be noted.

Implementation of Decision

18. Not applicable.

Appendices

Appendix 1 - Youth Service Structure

Appendix 2 - Youth Council Report

Appendix 3 - Youth Service Summary

Appendix 4 - Partnership Summary

Appendix 5 - Work in Schools Summary

Officer Contact

19. Chris Millis Head of Participation, Telephone 01639 763226 e-mail [email protected]

Angeline Spooner-Cleverly, Participation Co-Ordinator, Telephone 01639 686044 e-mail [email protected]

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Neath Port Talbot Youth Service Appendix 1

Vision

To encourage and enable young people to have fun, participate in all opportunities available to them and to gain the skills needed to become happy, confident and fulfilled adults and members of their communities.

Mission

To deliver good quality learning, social and recreational opportunities and activities through highly motivated, well trained and enthusiastic youth workers in safe and friendly places accessible to all young people.

Structure

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Youth Council Report 2015 - 2017 Appendix 2

This report summarises the work carried out by the elected members of NPT Youth Council from 2015 to 2017, this report will include recommendations which may enhance the current delivery and outcomes for NPT Youth Service. For the purpose of this report the information is from the elected term 2015 - 2017 only.

Summary

A concise summary of the main points listed in the report is detailed below:

 Equality/Diversity - there are no equality impacts associated with this report. The rationale behind NPTYS creating opportunities for marginalised groups to participate will be discussed.

 The Main Legislation underpinning the work will be listed. This will include The Local Service Board (LSB)'s statutory duty to enable the participation of young people in decision-making as defined in Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) along with their duty to ensure that children and young people’s involvement is embedded into every aspect of the planning, delivery and evaluation of local services.

 Partnership Work - the benefit/challenge will be reflected on.

 Election 2015 will include a list of schools and groups who participated, numbers elected and number of drop outs.

 Issues taken forward - all work will be listed.

 Recommendations will list ways to take the Youth Council forward at a local and national level which will benefit the young people and enhance the profile of NPTYS.

Background - NPT Youth Council

The elected members are a vehicle for social and political change that amplifies the voice of all young people residing within the County Borough of Neath Port Talbot. The Youth Council meet with the

Page 105 decision makers at a local level to amplify these voices, enrich decision-making processes, share perspectives and participate as citizens and facilitators of change.

The work of the Youth Council is underpinned by Article 12 of the UNCRC. Article 12 sets out the right of young people to express an opinion and have their opinion taken into account when decisions are being made that affects them.

This Article is important because it's an enabling right which supports young people to access broader rights under the Convention.

Local authorities have been under a duty to enable the participation of children and young people since the Children and Families (Wales) Measure was passed in 2010 and statutory guidance has been in place since 2012.

During 2016 two youth council members have represented NPTCBC at a regional and national level. One young person sits on the Children Commissioners Advisory panel and another young person is the current Member of UK Youth Parliament for NPTCBC. This young person also achieved the High Sherriff's Award 2017.

The Children and Families (Wales) Measure 2010

Requires local authorities to promote and facilitate participation by children and young people in decisions that might affect them (Welsh Government, 2010). It requires local authorities to:

"Make such arrangements as they consider suitable to promote and facilitate participation by children in decisions of the authority which might affect them, and to publish and keep up to date information about its arrangements."

Local authorities fulfil these responsibilities through a named youth participation officer and one or more youth forums that represent the voice of young people at a local level.

The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 guidance ‘Shared Purpose: Shared Future’ This makes specific references to the National Participation Standards for Children and Young People, whilst Annex B of the

Page 106 guidance for Public Service Boards sets out the expectation of adopting the National Participation Standards in working with partners, to enable children and young people to have a voice.

Rights to Action Wales (2004)

‘Rights to Action’ is a policy document issued by the Welsh Assembly Government in 2004. It states that:

"Children and young people should be seen as citizens, with rights and opinions to be taken into account now. They are not a species apart, to be alternately demonised and sentimentalised, nor trainee adults who do not yet have a full place in society."

‘Rights to Action’ adopts seven broad policy aims for children, which are presented as a direct translation of the UNCRC’s articles.

Local Participation Action Plan Guidance Briefing Local Service Board (LSB)

The LSB has a statutory duty to enable the participation of children and young people in decision-making as defined in Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and to ensure that children and young people’s involvement is embedded into every aspect of the planning, delivery and evaluation of local services.

The legislative basis for this requirement is contained in Section 12 of the Children and Families Measure (2010). Guidance to LSBs on developing the Single Integrated Plan reinforces this duty.

In order to meet the requirements of the legislation, and subsequent guidance, LSBs and local partners must:

 promote and facilitate participation within the broader context of children and young people’s rights

 integrate children and young people’s participation into all aspects of planning, delivering and reviewing services in a way that informs the Single Integrated Plan;

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 develop and implement a Local Participation Action Plan that sets out: its intentions in enabling children and young people to have a voice and be involved in decision-making at a local level;

 Ensure that children and young people feel listened to, are empowered, and consequently services better meet their needs;

 Lists what local partners will do to promote and facilitate the participation of children and young people in planning, delivering and reviewing services, and how this will contribute to local authority priorities and the priorities of the Single Integrated Plan

 The LSB and local partners must ensure that each local authority area has a meaningful, effective and representative Youth Forum.

It is stressed that – as a minimum – resourcing children and young people’s participation at the local level should include resources and staffing to support the local Youth Forum and awareness-raising of the UNCRC. That the LSB establish clear lines of accountability between the LSB and Youth Council and recognise the Youth Council as the body to represent young people across Neath Port Talbot in decision making.

UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD 1989 (UNCRC)

Participation is one of the guiding principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Article 12 of the UNCRC sets out the right of children and young people to express an opinion and to have their opinion taken into account when decisions are being made on any matter that affects them. The work of the Youth Council is underpinned by Article 12.

This Article is seen as particularly important, in that it is an enabling right, empowering and supports children and young people to access broader rights under the UNCRC, within the family, the school and the larger community context.

The guiding principle affirms that children are active citizens with an important contribution to make to their families, schools, communities and nation. They have the right to express their views in all matters affecting them and for their views to be heard and given due weight in

Page 108 accordance with the child's age and maturity. It recognises the potential of children to enrich decision-making processes, to share perspectives and to participate as citizens and facilitators of change.

The UNCRC is also the most widely ratified human rights treaty in the world – accepted by non-state entities, such as the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), a rebel movement in South Sudan. All UN member states except for the United States have ratified the Convention. The UK signed it in 1990, and it came into UK law in 1992.

The UNCRC is also the only international human rights treaty to give non-governmental organisations (NGOs), like Save the Children, a direct role in overseeing its implementation, under Article 45a.

Partnership Work:

The importance of working with partners who share the same aims and objectives is paramount to the success of any partnership work. The CRU was identified by a senior officer as one outside agency who could support the lead worker with the youth council. This support was needed as the participation officer for NPTCVC had lost his funding.

The CRU was motivated and keen to support. However they also lost their funding.

NPT ELECTIONS 2015

In 2015 anyone aged between 11 - 25 years old and resident within Neath Port Talbot had the opportunity to stand in the youth council elections as a candidate, this included young people in schools, colleges, and partner groups.

Opportunities were also created for young people from Young Carer's, Speech & Language Youth Club, Route 16, and Looked after Children, Route 16 and Cwrt Sart ALN group and the Gypsy Travellers. We also approached Dewis, Clarewood, Brave Project, and Ysgol Hendrefelin to encourage them to circulate the information

Page 109 to their young people and stand as candidates. We did not receive a response from all.

The 2015 elections resulted in the new youth council being the most diverse/representative to date. It successfully represented the views of thousands of young people across NPT and ensured that minority groups had a voice, something which hadn't been achieved previously.

Having a committed group of young people was essential to the success of the Youth Council. A very detailed and comprehensive bi lingual Candidate Pack was produced for the 2015 elections year, ensuring that young people fully understood what they were signing up for.

Presentations were delivered in schools and youth groups and youth workers answered any questions. Once elections had taken place, 3 half days of training were delivered to the new members over the summer period, to again ensure that they understood their role and the commitment needed to be on the Youth Council. The CRU led on the training which covered democracy, children's rights and politics.

Prior to the election the lead youth worker had contacted all the schools within NPT offering them the opportunity to participate in the elections. Following discussion with the principal officer it was agreed that 4 places per school would be offered and two spaces per marginalised group. Any Independents in colleges who applied would also be considered. 26 young people took up the opportunity.

The CRU led on the training which covered democracy, children's rights and politics.

Number of young people elected to the Youth Council 2015 - 2017

Cefn Saeson 3 young people

Cwmtawe 4 young people

Cwrt Sart 4 young people & 1 from the Pod group (special needs) Dwr y Felin 2 young people

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Dyffryn 4 young people

St Joseph’s 1 young person

Independent: 2 young people Neath & Gorseinon College

LAC 1 young person

Route 16 2 young people

Neath Youth Troop 2 young people

Young Carers 1 young person

Forums/Feeder Groups:

Traveller Education Group at Dyffryn

Young Carer’s group at Pontardawe

Brave Project NPT

No response to requests by email or telephone calls was received from Glanafan, Sandfields, Llangatwg & Ystalyfera.

Peter Miller CRU fed back that Cymmer School had stated the distance to meetings at neath was too great to support their pupils' participation. No presentation was delivered by the CRU as arranged which may have helped.

A former pupil of Cymmer School had been an elected member for the previous two years.

Groups who did not take up the opportunity:

Clarewood House – no reply

Dewis – no return to my calls

TAC Cymru (Taibach Tamil ethnic group) – no reply to email Total young people was 26

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Drop Outs/Resignations:

F S Cwmtawe Did not turn up to training in August or any Youth Council Meetings - no reply to letters sent out

CG Cwrts Art Not attended since September 2015

Resigned – spoke to mum on 14th December 2015

CS Cwrts Art/Neath Youth Troop Not attended since September 2015

No contact with Carolyn

LW Cwrts Art Special Resigned December 2016 – Needs/Neath Youth Troop mum said its 'too much for Laura'

ES Cwrts Art Resigned in meeting 7th November 2015

'Too much work'

JG Route 16 Went back to University

PD LAC Resigned – now has Saturday job

MS Neath Youth Troop Resigned February 2016 – writers group in conflict with youth council

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JD Independent (Neath College) Not attended since September 2015

No contact with Carolyn told our chair he was receiving letters from Carolyn and he had resigned made a comments to our chair ‘didn’t she get it’

CM Cwmtawe Resigned did not attend many meetings

In 2015 we were approached by the participation officer Andrew Harries with two referrals' one from Route 16 and one from the LAC group. Both young people came to the next youth council meeting. We also had a referral from the Young Carers group who joined us.

From January 2016 there were approx. 18 active elected members of NPT Youth Council. This number dropped to 14 young people by September 2016. From September 2016 to March 2017 attendance at meetings and cabinet dropped again and averaged between 5 - 9 young people. As a result several letters were sent out to young people asking if they still wanted to be part of NPT Youth Council. This did work well and two young people came back to regular meetings.

There were different explanations for the attendance issues; Saturday jobs, part time jobs during the week, conflict within the friendship group set up on social media. Three young people explained they were not re standing and this had generated a lack lustre approach to participating. One young person started drama group on Saturdays however never missed a cabinet meeting.

I emailed my line manager and the principal officer regarding attendance issues and suggested we end the elected term early as attendance would drop again before the exam time in May/June. The local elections would also be in May and we were told the councillors had not planned the date of the next cabinet meeting for this reason. We agreed the youth council would end their term with their offsite

Page 113 trip on 25th March 2017. The last meeting of NPT Youth Council was held on 4th March 2017, 9 young people attended.

Issues Concerns:

My concern about one young person representing the LAC group was passed over to her social worker and also to the new participation officer. The young person moved placement several times during her participation with the youth council. Following non-attendance at two meetings I rang the social worker and left an answer phone message asking where the young person was. I received no reply. We then saw the young person in Cwm Tawe School and she told us her new address. I then rang her social worker again and asked if transport could be arranged for a return journey to monthly meetings/cabinets. The reply was this was the responsibility of the foster parents. I then rang the foster parents and left messages - no reply.

I communicated my disappointment at the system to the new participation officer when we met recently. I explained that one of the most vulnerable groups of young people in NPT were being let down and having opportunities taken from them as the system in this case wasn't working. I argued when a vulnerable young person who consistently attended meetings disappears off my 'radar' as a professional I have a duty to ensure I check their well-being. Information sharing would have been the ideal in this situation.

Work Completed 2015 - 2017

Cabinet Meetings: (7)

15.2.17, 7.12.16, 5.10.16, 23.3.16, 8/6/16, 7.10.15 & 3.6.17

Issues/Concerns rose: (The issues have been summarised and all information included under the same heading).

Dangers of Legal Highs

 Youth council raised the issue following several recorded incidents where young people had been hospitalised. The youth council asked cabinet what action they were taking to close down shops in Neath who are selling legal highs over the counter.

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Youth Council Elections 2015 - 17

Schools identified who did not participate

School Attendance:

 The youth council asked if the Attendance Development Plan was working. Fed back pilot questionnaire

 from Cwm Tawe School in relation to why young people miss school. Asked if all pupils could have the

 hours they miss recorded and not days. For all pupils not just those who have low attendance.

Youth Council received a Pupil Attendance report/Update from cabinet.

Hate Crime/Extremism

 Presentation sent to Community Safety - more resources/support needed in schools to raise awareness of LGBT & Bullying, link to School Attendance rose. The youth council had a presentation of extremism at cabinet.

 LGBT - The Youth Council highlighted the lack of support groups in Neath Port Talbot for minority groups and asked if cabinet were aware of any groups. The Youth Council presented a map of services available in both Swansea & Bridgend.

Tackling Obesity/Healthy Living (400m Track)

 Replacement needed for the track demolished at Sandfields - tracks available in Swansea & Bridgend

Mental Health:

 Young carers concerns about proposed cuts to mental health support services. Proposed survey by Mental Health Group (ABMU) discussed.

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School Music Education:

 The youth council have been contacted by young people who access after school music services. There are rumours that NPT will cut their music funding as Swansea council have recently done. Proposed cuts to provisions in schools raised, benefits of music education discussed

Looked After Children:

Lack of organised summer/holiday provision in NPT/One issue with participation of elected member

Sandfields Youth Club:

 Request to move to another location, successful outcome with the help of cabinet members and Chris Millis Head of Participation.

Duke of Edinburgh:

 Costs/inconsistency in delivery across NPT Schools

Welsh Baccalaureate/Work Experience:

 Participating in the award is in some schools is at the expense of other subjects. Clarification on the ‘work experience’ aspect of the Award as some young people felt they were at a disadvantage in relation to filling in job application forms which ask for experience.

Public Transport:

 Young people having difficulties with the Welsh Governments Website to apply for a Young Persons Bus pass. Frequency of bus times and prices raised link to school attendance

New Psychoactive Substances:

 Youth Council asked to be the ‘face’ of the New Psychoactive Substance Survey Campaign following their hard work consulting on and shaping the survey with Public Health Wales.

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Make your Mark 2016: (See Appendix 1)

 Top 3 issues for NPT young people discussed. First Aid in Schools Curriculum for Life & Fund our youth services don't cut them. The Youth Council fed back numbers of young people who took part - 1,150 young people.

First Aid:

 The Youth Council highlighted the importance of being trained in First Aid and asked for consideration to be given to providing First Aid Training in schools across Neath Port Talbot. In addition, could it be added to the school curriculum? It was highlighted that Cwmtawe Comprehensive School had free school workshops which lead to an official First Aid Qualification.

Communities First:

 Youth Council raised concerns with Cabinet members in relation to the financial cut backs affecting the Communities First programme.

Faith/Welsh Schools:

 Proposed cuts to transport costs rose

Immigrants Refugees and Asylum Seekers:

 The Youth Council identified the need to involve young Immigrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers in different projects and topics, for example the Election in June and the Youth Council. Youth Council representatives asked if there was any data available on the number of families within Neath Port Talbot and whether there was a mechanism in place to contact young people to gain an understanding of how best to assist them settling into new schools.

Consultations:

Consultation Child Victim Support Services visit by Police & Crime Commissioners representatives

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Consultation National Outcomes Framework for Youth Work

Consultation for ABMU – online psychoactive substances questionnaire

Consultation on the All Wales Travel Code

Consultation on play facilities available in NPT

Consultation of Childcare Sufficiency

Consultation on Youth Manifesto - the YC recommended bills under mental health democracy education & transport.

Consultation (request from cabinet) Legal High’s

The Youth Council were asked to feedback on any issues/ways to keep young people safe.

Children's Charter Workshop & Update

Offsites:

Visit to the Senedd

Oakwood Park Reward Activity

Folly Farm Reward Activity

3 x visits to Sandfields Youth Club re moving venue

Invitation to Sandfields Youth Club Presentation Evening

Millennium Volunteer Certificate Presentation at Baglan.

Recommendations:

 We open up the youth council to LGBT and set up our own LAC forum. The reason for this approach - it's apparent that young people with these shared identities in NPT do not currently have support - something the youth council has raised on numerous occasions with cabinet. Following my discussing with the new participation officer for NPT I can confirm there is no LAC forum set up at present.

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 The other recommendation is to work on duplicating the concept of the 'Rights Respecting Schools' and coming up with our own 'Rights Respecting Youth Clubs' - clubs could be awarded a kite mark. As far as I am aware no other local authority is doing this. This would raise our profile; embed the UNCRC into our universal services.

 This meets the LSB's statutory duty to enable the participation of children and young people in decision-making as defined in Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and to ensure that children and young people’s involvement is embedded into every aspect of the planning, delivery and evaluation of local services.

 Working on our Facebook site and developing this to include the UNCRC links, links to contacting youth council with any issues or concerns and links to completing questionnaires would be great. A dedicated worker to update the page would be good if it is going to work.

 More reward off sites for the youth council this will help with attendance issues.

Conclusion:

 The Youth Council have worked diligently over the past two years and achieved some fantastic outcomes for the young people they represent. Attendance issues were the only negative.

 Achievements to date at a local and national level include one young person on the Children Commissioners Advisory Board and one young person elected as the Member of Youth Parliament for NPT. This young person also achieved the High Sherriff's Award 2017. All youth council members were signed up for the Millennium Volunteer Awards.

 Meeting young people they represent was a first during this elected term and feedback from the youth council members was positive. These meetings generated a passion and determination to get the outcome requested by this particular group of young people. A successful outcome was achieved.

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 The ethos of the youth council moving forward will continue to be:

 "Children and young people should be seen as young citizens, with rights and opinions to be taken into account now. They are not a species apart, to be alternately demonised and sentimentalised, nor trainee adults who do not yet have a full place in society".

 (‘Children and young people: Rights to Action’)

 (Welsh Assembly Government, 2004b).

 C.Wellington

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Neath Port Talbot Youth Service Summary Appendix 3

Core Team – Senior Youth Officer Corinne Fry

Youth Clubs

14 Youth Clubs - Blaengwynfi, Bryn, Croeserw, Cymmer, Glyncorrwg, Sandfields, Taibach, Bryncoch, Cimla, Crynant, Cwmllynfell, Glynneath, Seven Sisters, and Ystalyfera

Clubs open between 1 and 3 nights a week for 30 weeks a year based on school terms.

Age range is for young people aged 11-18

Young people able to participate in various learning and social opportunities based around a Citizenship, Arts, Sports, Health and Welsh curriculum and have access to the RADS Service

Youth Clubs hold presentation evenings highlighting the positive outcomes for young people and invite local Cllrs to attend.

Youth Clubs access various offsite activities and trips including football competitions, Trampolining , cross border youth clubs competitions as well as attending national events such as Midnight Ice Skating, Youth Work Week, Army Assault Course Day,

Youth Clubs hold an annual Volunteer Event where young people who volunteer in the clubs are recognised and rewarded for their effort.

Support given to Voluntary Sector provisions

Lunch Clubs - Senior Youth Officer Corinne Fry

Youth Workers provide lunch club activities in 2 secondary schools

Activities provided using the Mobile Youth buses and outside activities

Activities include organised ball games (dodge ball etc), mobile crazy golf, swing ball, volley ball, skipping

Young people can access iPads, board games, games consoles (Xbox 1 and PS4), bingo, music etc.

Several local and national consultations have been carried out during the lunch club sessions incuding Make Your Mark (2016) and the New NPS consultation and Youth Council election.

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Young people with disabilities often use the lunch club facilities.

Mobile Provision - Senior Youth Officer Corinne Fry

The Youth Service has 2 Mobile Youth Provisions (rolling zones), 1 converted mobile library and 1 smaller converted van

The mobile provisions are used to provide youth provision where none exists

Used to provide young people access to youth workers to help them obtain a positive destination in employment, training and education.

Supports 2 School based lunch clubs

Supports numerous community events and youth clubs

The Rolling Zones are used during holiday provisions in partnership with the Police and Fire Service.

Families First - Senior Youth Officer Emma Culleton

Work with young people aged 8 – 24 years old.

To provide individual support to young people aged 9-24 referred to the service by Team Around the Family and Children’s Services, to enable them to overcome barriers to their personal development and to maintain their engagement and enjoyment in learning. One to one support offered in a number of key areas depending on issues presented, including anger management, healthy relationships, building resilience, personal safety, confidence building and joining new groups.

To provide group support to young people aged 9-12 identified by primary/secondary schools as needing support during the transition from primary to secondary school and in Year 7, to maintain their engagement in education. The young people undertake a 20 hour Asdan accredited programme ‘Stepping Stones’ in which they complete a series of challenges on topics such as communication, listening and working with others.

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Targeted interventions with specific groups of vulnerable young people aged 9-24 identified through a range of partner organisations to enable them to overcome barriers to their social, emotional and physical health and wellbeing. This includes a Youth Club for young people with speech, language and communication needs, a Youth Club for young carer’s, weekly recreational sessions for young people with or at risk of substance misuse and a group who have been affected by bereavement.

To provide individual and group support to young people aged 16-24 to enable them to gain the skills needed to access and sustain their engagement in further education, training and/or employment. Youth work interventions include covering employment related topics such as CV compilation, interview techniques, improving confidence and self- esteem, teamwork, acquisition of pre-employment qualifications such as CSCS cards, food hygiene, health and safety and manual handling.

To identify and map organisations and individuals that provide youth support services to meet specific and universal needs of young people aged 11 – 24. Provide advice, guidance and information to youth support service providers, and work in partnership with the Family Information Service to publicise the range of services across Neath Port Talbot available to young people and their families.

Communities First - Senior Youth Officer Lesley Pain

Supporting young people to do well at School project. Young people identified by their schools are referred to the youth workers who adopt a lead worker role.

Activities and interventions include:

Working with pupils in classrooms

Support during break times

After school Clubs and support Holiday provision

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This provision helps young people maintain and improve their participation in the education system, helps raise self-esteem, provides personal support to young people and their families and helps young people to achieve their potential in school and beyond.

Reducing Youth Unemployment and Disengagement Project. Supporting young people aged 16-17to make a successful transition from school to a suitable post 16 destination.

Work with those identified as being most at risk of disengagement

Year 11 support and post 16 transition support.

Summer interventions for young people uncertain of their destination

Keeping in Touch support following entry into a post 16 destination

Facilitate relationship between young people and partners including the wider Communities First programme and Careers Wales.

Youth Engagement & Progression - Senior Youth Officer Lesley Pain

Engagement Progression Coordinator

Sustaining the EPC role function in Neath Port Talbot for the financial year 2016-2017

Expand brokerage and support through multi-agency working for young people aged 11-18 at risk of becoming NEET and those that are NEET, in particular increase voluntary sector

Lead the development of the regional Cam Nesa ESF Operation in NPT to support young people 16-25 who are NEET (on-going- 31st March 2107)

Continue to develop links and support for vulnerable groups of young people in particular LAC, EOTAS and those involved with the criminal justice system(on-going- 31st March 2017)

Ensure strategic leadership of the YEPF is effective through the Youth Engagement Strategy (YES) Group and feeds into the Think Family Partnership (on-going- 31st March)

Develop a practitioners group for Lead Workers to enhance the provision for young people in Tier 1 & 2.

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Keeping In Touch Provision - Senior Youth Officer Lesley Pain

Support young people aged16-18 who are NEET or at risk of becoming NEET.

Provide on-going support to maintain engagement in post 16 learning destination.

Identify tier one young people and move them into appropriate tiers.

Provide group work sessions to develop confidence, self-esteem and address any barriers to engagement.

Advocate for young people and signpost them on to appropriate services.

Provide qualifications and employability skills.

ETE Project

Engage with a minimum 250 NEET aged 16-25 to access further education/ employment/ work related training.

Hold outreach sessions both centre based and using mobile provision.

Advocate for young people and signpost them on to appropriate services.

Provide qualifications and employability skills.

Provide one to one and group work sessions to develop confidence, self- esteem and address any barriers to engagement

Youth Engagement Outcomes.

60% of young people aged 16-25 to achieve one of the following:

Entered further learning;

Entered paid employment; Entered work based learning;

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Entered voluntary placement;

Entered work placement/experience;

Secured a job interview.

Received a recognised qualification;

Referred to a specialist service.

Piloting a measurement tool to evidence change with 70% of young people taking part to demonstrate a positive change of circumstance, skills, behaviour or attitude.

Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme – Team Leader Neil Hapgood

Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and Open Gold Centre:

The Award is available to young people from the age of 14+.

It operates in all secondary schools, the college, youth clubs and community based projects.

With 3 levels i.e. bronze, silver and gold, it offers a good opportunity for young people to develop or improve their skills, keep fit and healthy, provide support to their communities, and test their physical and emotional resilience through an outward bound expedition.

Neath Port Talbot is recognised as providing one of the best award schemes in Wales as the service is always within the top 3 local authorities for new starts and award completions.

The Award is a nationally accredited outcome and is well recognised by employers, further and higher education providers.

The Youth Service has equipment available to the schools which can be loaned out to keep the cost down for young people.

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Open Gold Centre:

The Open Gold Centre is open to any young person in NPT aged between 16 and 24.

The centre provides a 10 month programme which delivers the training for the Gold expedition and the expedition itself.

The training takes place in the Brecon Beacons and the final expedition takes place in Dartmoor.

The centre also operates a young leader’s scheme, having completed the Gold expedition many young people want to remain involved with the centre. They therefore join this scheme which trains them up as expedition leaders and they work as volunteers with the Open Gold Centre and also with secondary schools at Bronze and Silver level.

Health & Relationship Advice Team - Senior Youth Officer Corinne Fry

Relationship Advice Drop-in Service(RADS) – Sexual Health Information and Advice Service:

The RADS team provide relationship and sexual health advice

The RADS team also provide young people with information on relationships and sexual health,

The RADS team provide barrier contraception to young people across Neath Port Talbot.

Specially trained youth workers attend all youth service provision to provide this confidential service, signposting young people to secondary sexual health services where relevant

Additionally Youth Workers provide sexual health workshops in schools(SRE), college and alternative education provisions which are part of a whole authority approach to SRE.

Contacts exceed 1000 young people per annum with the aim to contribute to the prevention of unplanned teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections in Neath Port Talbot.

Furthermore, health interventions provided by youth workers to support young people with health information, choices and behaviour change,

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include the following risky behaviours interventions; substance misuse, smoking cessations, healthy eating and physical activity etc.

Youth Council - Youth Officer Carolyn Wellington

NPT Youth Council consists of 12 young people aged 11+ who have been elected through a demographic process to be the representative voice of young people aged 11-25 in Neath Port Talbot. The Youth Council has representatives on the Children Commissioner Advisory Panel and the UK Youth Parliament. The Youth Council are involved in assisting social and political change by meeting regularly with decision makers to advocate for and amplify the voices of young people who are residence of NPT.

Qualifications and courses

The youth Service provides young people with various opportunities for them to learn and gain qualifications such as:

Heart Start Emergency First Aid,

Construction Skills Certificate Scheme (CSCS),

Pacific Institute Course,

Anger Management Course,

Personal Health Course

Millennium Volunteers

Food Hygiene

Junior Youth Group Leadership

Youth Achievement Award,

Agored Units and much more..

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Outcomes for young people

The Youth Service is proud to have supported young people to achieve the High Sheriff Award.

The Youth Council members have a far greater knowledge of politics and current affairs as well as demonstrating improved communication skills, improved debating skills, improved decision making and improved confidence. Youth Council members have also increased leadership and organisational skills, creativity, the ability to look at an issue from someone else’s perspective and better team work.

Millennium Volunteers projects help young people achieve increased responsibility, improve communications skills, improved confidence, improved decision making, improved team work skills, improved organisational skills and provides young people with opportunities to become engaged with positive citizenship activities within NPT.

Volunteering Opportunities

Neath Port Talbot Youth Service provides young people and adults opportunities to volunteer on various projects including Duke of Edinburgh Award, Youth Clubs, and Offsite Activities etc.

Projects

The Youth Service runs projects funded through its core budget and grants as well as project delivered in partnership with others these include:

The Youth Service Young Fire Fighters, Health Projects, Art, Welsh Culture & Language work, Music, Sports, Outdoor Pursuits, Animation & Video Making, Community work, Enterprise Projects, Risky Behaviour Projects, Gym Projects, cross border project with Maes y Dderwen School etc.

Team Building

The Youth Service have staff that are Mobile Team Challenged trained to deliver various Team Building Activities to help develop strong team work skills, listening skills, leadership, communication skills, and much more.

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Fundraising Events

A Night in the Cells Project, Stay Awake Events, Jewellery & Card Making Enterprise Projects, Sponsored Events and much more…

Youth Work in Schools

Youth workers support various schools with a range of interventions such as:

Lunch clubs

Transition provisions (yr6-7 & post 16)

SRE Lessons

D of E support

Caseload 1:1 support

Breakfast clubs & After school clubs

Consultations

Reward Activities

End of Year Activity Days

Highly Trained and Experienced Staff

NPT Youth Service has a highly skilled, highly qualified and experienced work force with staff qualified and or trained in the following areas:

Qualified Youth Workers, ELSA Qualified, PTTLLS Tutors, D of E Qualified, Health & Safety qualified, First Aid Qualified, Sexual Health qualified, Team Building trained, Teen Talk trained, Mental Health Trained, Attachment & Trauma Trained, PGCE Trained Tutors, Mediation Trained, CSE Trained, range of health related trained, CBT trained, Music Tutors, MIDAS Trained etc

From the 1st April 2017 all NPT Youth Workers will be registered with the Education Workforce Council (EWC)

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Innovative range of equipment

The Youth Service has access to a range of engagement equipment to help support and enhance the social, recreational and educational activities these include: iPads, Laptops, Mobile Crazy Golf, Tag Archery & Archery Range, Mountain Bikes, Stunt Scooters, Inflatable Human Table Football, Mobile Team Challenge Equipment, Mobile Fencing Equipment, Forest School Equipment, Mobile Skateboard Ramps, Event Shelters and a Marque, Music Instruments & Equipment, Arts & Crafts Equipment, Sexual Health Training Resources, Slacklines, Games Consoles, Teen Talk resources etc.

New Experiences

The Youth Service provides young people with opportunities to participate in new experiences such as:

Residential work, theatre visits, slack line, fencing, coast steering, circus skills, camping, visits to new places, meeting new people, outdoor pursuits, sailing, surfing & windsurfing, educational & cultural visits, hill walking, canoeing.

Youth Service Contact Details:

Neath Port Talbot Youth Service

Tir Morfa Centre

Marine Drive

Sandfields

Port Talbot

SA12 7NN

Tel: 01639 763030

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: Facebook.com/nptyouthservice

Twitter: @Npt_ys

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Neath Port Talbot Youth Service Appendix 4

Partnership work:

Afasic Cymru

We work in partnership with Afasic Cymru to deliver a youth club for young people with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN). The project uses youth work methods to provide educational, social and recreational opportunities to the young people, plus benefits from a speech and language therapist who supports the development of their language skills. The project runs once per week, with a membership of 39 young people during this financial year.

WCADA

The Domino Project, developed by WCADA is being supported by a member of the team on a weekly basis. The project supports young people at risk of substance misuse through a range of diversionary activities such as a weekly football group, youth club sessions, forest school and outdoor activities. A total of 32 young people have accessed the project during this financial year.

Young Carers

A Youth Club for Young Carer’s from Neath Port Talbot and Swansea was run in partnership with the Swansea Bay Carers Trust until October 2016, when the Trust closed its doors. We have continued to run the provision for the Young Carer’s from NPT, whilst Neath YMCA have taken over the Swansea group. We are meeting with Swansea to look at joint funding applications in order to re-establish the good partnership work. The NPT youth club runs once per week, with a membership of 41 young people this financial year.

Down to Earth

The team work well in partnership with the Down to Earth Project, and have taken two groups of young people to the sustainable development project during this financial year. Both groups were young people who were not in education, employment or training (NEET). The young people learn traditional and sustainable construction, as well as creating sustainable food growing areas.

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Canolfan Maerdy

The team have recently started working with Canolfan Maerdy. We have provided support and advice regarding the setting up of a youth café/youth club which includes information on health & safety, paperwork and staff training. In addition we are currently funding a part time youth worker who is delivering health related work at the centre.

Youth Support Services Liaison Officer

The Youth Support Services Liaison Officer (YSSLO) sits within the team and acts as a conduit between statutory, voluntary and third sector organisations that work with, and support, young people. Organisations have been mapped and entered onto a database of providers and a well- established mailing list allows upcoming events, good practice and training opportunities to be shared. The database itself is also shared so that organisations can contact each other with queries or request support.

The YSSLO works in partnership with the Family Information Service (FIS) which is a free information service for children, young people, families and professionals who work with families. The service can bring you up to date, relevant and accurate information on services, facilities and publications regarding Childcare, Education and family learning services, Health and wellbeing services, Play, sports, leisure and culture, Social care and family support services, Youth services, Financial and legal services, Child development, Staying safe, Services for children and young people with disabilities, Services promoting the use of the Welsh language, and Neath Port Talbot Children and Young People’s Plan.

Plans are currently being put in place for the YSSLO to chair and co- chair the Multi Agency Group (MAG) and the Youth Providers Network which will bring agencies together, from across the sectors, on a regular basis to see how they can better partnership work, share expertise and try not to duplicate services.

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NEETs Multi Agency Group(NEETS MAG).

The Youth Service facilitate regular meeting with work based learning providers and organisations that can help young people engage in education, employment and training opportunities. The group look at best practice, information sharing and what options are available to young people. This group has recently being reviewed and has split into 2 groups the NEETS MAG and a Lead Worker group.

Youth Engagement Strategy Group (YES Group)

To monitor the implementation of the Youth Engagement and Progression Framework and the Youth Engagement Strategy;

To implement and maintain a county wide approach to increasing young peoples’ engagement in education, employment and training and to reduce the numbers of young people who are NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) in Neath Port Talbot.

This group is attended by CVS and have a nominated Voluntary Sector representative.

Voluntary Sector Youth Club Support.

The Youth Service has taken a very active role in supporting local voluntary sector youth provisions in the area. Examples of this would be Relationship Advice Drop-in Service (RADS) workers attending Baglan Youth Club and Neath YMCA Youth Club, Canolfan Maerdy Youth Club support is mentioned above, Pelenna Youth Club is currently working in partnership with the Youth Service on reducing risky behaviours and Pelenna have also taken up the opportunity of referring young people to the Youth Service Junior Leadership training.

Training

The Youth Service invite Voluntary and 3rd Sector Youth Providers to attend its training programme. This has included Level 2 & 3 Youth Work training, Sexual Health Training, CSE & Safeguarding training etc. There are over 30 organisations that get regularly invited to attend training and events with the Youth Service.

Partnership Work

The Youth Service is also involved in a lot of wider partnership working with organisations such as Ash Wales, Menter Iaith, VIBE Youth,

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Clairewood, Kick Football, Buffoon Films, and LEAP etc. The Youth Service also attends various groups and forums such as the Gypsy Travellers Group, the Collective Response group, Healthy Schools groups, and Sexual Health groups.

Youth Cymru

The Youth Service works with Youth Cymru on various projects and events such as the KAYA Festival where we provide activities for young people whilst promoting youth work. Our activities in the KAYA festival have been praised by young people and parents and they have stated that they wish that there was more youth work provision and how impressed they were with our staff and activities. We also regularly attend the Midnight Ice Skating event as part of the annual offer to Youth Clubs and we support Youth Cymru in national event such as the youth work events in partnership with the Principal Youth Officers Group.

Emergency Services work

The Youth Service is working with the Police and Fire Services on Easter activities and in the past we have helped run Operation Bang and been involved in the Motivating Our Youth project. We are also working with the Police cadets/volunteers. We are also working with the police in areas identified as having problems with anti-social behaviour such as Ystalyfera and Pontardawe.

Colleges

The Youth Service has Youth Workers present in both the Neath & Afan campus of NPTC Group. A Youth Worker provides young people with Sexual Health Advice and we also have a Keeping In Touch Youth Worker that supports young people at risk of NEET.

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Neath Port Talbot Youth Service Appendix 5

Youth Work in Schools:

Neath Port Talbot Youth Service have worked with all 10 Secondary Schools within NPT and had also worked with Glanafan and Cwrt Sart Schools.

Communities First

Communities First Youth Workers deliver a Supporting young people to do well at School project in Cymmer, Dwr y Felin, Ystalyfera and Llangatwg secondary schools. Young people identified by their schools are referred to the youth workers who adopt a lead worker role. Activities and interventions include working with and supporting pupils in classrooms, support during break times and the Youth Workers also provide breakfast clubs, after school clubs and support outside of the school hours. The Youth Workers support the young people over the school holidays with various activities, offsite educational visits and trips etc.

Communities First are also running a reducing risky behaviours project with pupils and young people covering topics such as healthy behaviours, domestic violence, smoking and sexual health

ELSA

Communities First Youth Workers are trained Emotional Literacy Support Assistants which offers one to one support to young people under the supervision of the educational psychology department.

Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme

The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme is available to young people from the age of 14+ and operates in all secondary schools, the college, youth clubs and community based projects. The Youth Service offer the award at 3 levels i.e. bronze, silver and gold, and this is an excellent opportunity for young people to develop or improve their skills, keep fit and healthy, provide support to their communities, and test their physical

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and emotional resilience through an outward bound expedition. Neath Port Talbot is recognised as providing one of the best award schemes in Wales as the service is always within the top 3 local authorities for new starts and award completions. The Award is a nationally accredited outcome and is well recognised by employers, further and higher education providers. The Youth Service has equipment available to the schools which can be loaned out to keep the cost down for young people.

Lunch Clubs

Youth Workers provide lunch club activities in Cwmtawe and Ystalyfera secondary schools one day a week. The lunch club activities are provided using the Youth Service Mobile Youth buses (the Rolling Zone) and outside activities. The Youth Workers provide a range of activities based on consultation with the young people and can include organised ball games (dodge ball etc), mobile crazy golf, swing ball, volley ball. Young people can also access iPads, board games, games consoles (Xbox 1 and PS4), bingo, music etc. on the Rolling Zone.

Sexual Relationship Education (SRE)

The Youth Service delivers SRE lessons in 7 of the 10 secondary schools. We were also the lead in developing the SRE Pack for schools and regularly train teachers and school nurses on SRE. A Senior Youth Officer takes a lead in managing the SRE Group. SRE lessons have been delivered by Youth Workers in Welsh in Ystalyfera and the SRE pack is available in Welsh on request.

Healthy Schools

The youth service help provide healthy school activities such as sports days, smoothie bike sessions, healthy eating and nutrition activities and have run sessions on hand hygiene sessions.

School Events

The Youth Service work with schools on activity days and reward activities, fundraising events, team building sessions and when we need to consult with young people on issues such as mental health provision, new psychoactive substances (formally known as legal highs) etc. We also hold Youth Council elections within the schools.

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Lead Worker Support

The Youth Service is currently looking at developing a Lead Worker Group to support young people at risk of becoming NEET with the aim of supporting these young people at the year 11 transition.

Transition Projects

The Youth Service Families First Youth Workers have developed a successful project for young people who have been identified by their schools as needing support in their transition from primary to secondary school. The Stepping Stones project is a 20 hour Asdan accredited programme covering a range of PSHE topics. Over 200 young people from 15 primary schools have taken part in the transition project during this financial year.

The Youth Service have also provided young people with post 16 transition support. This provision is made available to young people who have been identified as needing extra support during the holiday period at end of year 11. This helps keep in touch with young people who are feeling apprehensive about the transition from school to their post 16 destination.

VIBE & Risky Behaviours Interventions

The Families First Youth Workers provide a range of youth work support to young people being educated at the ARC and Velindre. Youth Workers are delivering a range of workshops on risky behaviours, toxic relationships, substance misuse and much more. In addition young people are being supported to participate in a gym project twice a week.

Families First funding has also allowed the Youth Service support a girl’s only group at Dyffryn Comprehensive School. The group of Year 11 girls are engaging in a number of risky behaviours, and therefore a bespoke 6 session personal safety course has been designed and delivery starts in February.

Families First Caseload Work

The team accept referrals from Team Around the Family for young people who could benefit from one to one support from a Youth Worker. The young people have a home visit, construction of an action plan, up to 12 bespoke sessions and an evaluation review. We form part of a multi-agency approach for vulnerable families with the aim of preventing escalation to Children’s Services involvement.

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The schools across Neath Port Talbot are an active partner in many of these caseloads, some to a high degree and some to a lesser degree depending on the presenting issues. We regularly use the schools as a base for meeting with the young people.

Neath College

Two groups of students at Neath College are receiving weekly support in order to maintain their participation in college. The 33 young people are receiving a range of health and well-being related sessions, including the STAR programme on healthy relationships, Millennium Volunteers and support to complete their college work. There are future plans to deliver the Pacific Institute to improve confidence, self-esteem and goal setting.

We also provide Relationship Advice Drop-in Service workers to the Colleges and Keeping in Touch Worker support to young people at risk of becoming NEET.

Hillside Project

The Youth Service Keeping in Touch Team and Families First Team are running a project in Hillside Secure unit working with young people helping them become employment ready on their release, the sessions and lessons cover topics such as Heartstart, IOSHH, Food Hygiene and Employment related topics.

Page 139 This page is intentionally left blank Agenda Item 13

NEATH PORT TALBOT COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL

Education, Skills & Culture Cabinet Board 7th December 2017

Report of the Head of Participation – Christopher Millis

Matter for Decision

Wards Affected: All NPT & Bridgend Wards

Ongoing delivery of the UK Governments Work Programme

Purpose of the Report

To update Members with regard to the current Work Programme performance funded by UK Government.

Executive Summary

Page 141 generated. We then receive monthly payments for any customer that remains in sustainable employment for a minimum of 12 months.

Background

NPT Works has an annual turnover of over £400,000 with all income derived from a commercial contract with Rehab JobFit who are one of two Prime Contractor for the Work Programme delivery in Wales.

Over the past 2 years staffing levels have decreased significantly in order to meet the budget targets within NPTCBC coupled with the decreasing caseloads.

In October 2017 a new programme was announced and the successful organisations were sought. Unfortunately NPTCBC were not part of the winners bid.

Since the Work Programme’s inception in 2011 the contract has secured more than 2840 employment opportunities for people across the 2 local authority areas.

Page 142 is essential that staff are monitored effectively ensuring all Key Performance Indicators (KPI) are reached/exceeded.

 Reporting to Education, Skills and Culture Board

 Continued links with the NPT Employment Support Group – all employment providers for the locality sit on this group and information is shared at an operational level.

 Continued links with the Bridgend Employment Liaison Partnership (BELP) – all employment providers for the locality sit on this group and information is shared at an operational level.

 Continued links with the Engagement Providers Group

 Regular liaison with Skills & Training, ACL and Probation Services

Financial Impact

NPT Works are working closely with finance to ensure that we meet our annual budget. This is becoming more difficult as we progress closer to the termination date. Equality Impact Assessment

Management of change for the current Work Programme has been completed once this year. It is being completed in order to minimise workforce impacts for the employees of the Council. Staff have been

Page 143 placed on prior consideration for new vacancies and 2 have gained other employment over the past 3 months. Legal Impacts

There are no legal impacts associated with this report Risk Management

Risks have been identified and submitted in a briefing paper to EDDLS SMT. Consultation

There is no requirement under the Constitution for external consultation on this item. Recommendations

The report is for information purposes only. Reasons for Proposed Decision

N/A Implementation of Decision N/A Appendices N/A

List of Background Papers N/A Officer Contact

Mr Chris Millis, Head of Participation, 01639 763226 – [email protected]

Page 144 Mrs Angeline Spooner-Cleverly, Participation Co-ordinator, 01639 686044 – [email protected]

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