Presentation by the Director of Education

This presentation provides information on workforce practices within the Education Services division of the Children’s Directorate.

The Sub Group considered the presentation delivered by the Director of Education that provided: -

·                A description of the team structure and workforce profile;

·                A description of the various team functions and responsibilities;

·                The results of the b-Heard survey and the response to the findings;

·                Data on the absentee rates across the education work force for the period October 17 to September 18;

·                Information on the support offered to staff to maintain attendance; and

·                Highlighting good news and describing the current challenges.

Some of the key points that arose from the Members’ discussions were: -

·                Noting the number of Ofsted inspections in previous years, and the pressure this placed on resources what could be done to ensure inspections are undertaken in a more planned manner;

·                Further information was sought on the work of the Schools Admissions Team when allocating a school place for a child;

·                How many apprenticeship places were offered in Education Services; and

·                What data was available in regard to gender, ethnicity and sexuality for staff working in Education Services. 

The Director of Education stated that whilst meetings did take place with the Regional Director for Ofsted and the issue of inspection timing was raised, ultimately the decision to inspect rested with Ofsted.

In response to the questions regarding the Admissions Service the Director of Education commented that whilst there were specific peak times in the academic year, for example when school place offers were made, the service remained busy throughout the year. She explained that Manchester experienced a large number of children entering the city at all times of the year that had placed pressure on schools. She described that Manchester had adopted a coordinated admissions policy and every effort was taken to offer a school place within four weeks. However, if a place could not be offered within four weeks the case would be reviewed and a decision would be taken to offering a place that may not be the parents’ preferred choice. A Member noted that a significant number of parents exercise their right to appeal for a school place, commenting that Admissions Staff were required to attend the appeal hearing, placing an additional pressure on staff resources. 

The Director of Education continued by explaining that for complex admissions, for SEND children or excluded children for example the In Year Fair Access Protocol is enacted. This protocol was designed to place these children in a school and schools met monthly to agree the allocation to ensure there was a fair distribution of resources across all schools. She said these allocations took longer to secure due to the often complex nature of each individual case and the capacity of schools.

The Director of Education informed the Group that there were a number of apprentices in the service who were currently supported to work towards management degrees. She said the service would always consider apprenticeship roles and was keen to develop these further, in particular in regard to Youth Services.

In response to a question from the Chair regarding the possibility of developing joint apprenticeships across services, the Head of Workforce Strategy said that there was potential to deliver this and he would explore this further.

In response to the question regarding the workforce profile, the Director of Education advised that the majority of senior staff was predominately female and that information regarding the numbers of BAME staff and data available regarding LGBT would be circulated to the Group.  

Decision

The Sub Group requests that data on LGBT staff working in Education Services be circulated.