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HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
EDUCATION, LIBRARIES AND LOCALISM CABINET PANEL TUESDAY, 8
SEPTEMBER 2020 AT 10:00AM PROPOSAL TO ALTER THE WAY THAT PRIMARY
BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT SERVICES, INCLUDING INTENSIVE SHORT-TERM
SCHOOLING PROVISION FOR PUPILS AT RISK OF EXCLUSION, ARE DELIVERED
IN THE BOROUGH OF BROXBOURNE
Report of the Director of Children’s Services Report Author:
Richard Woodard, Area Manager – Professional Lead for
Access and Inclusion, Integrated Services for Learning (Tel:
01442 453224) Samantha Young, Senior Planning Officer, School
Planning
(Tel: 01992 556308) Executive Member: Terry Douris (Education,
Libraries & Localism) Local Members: Tim Hutchings (Hoddesdon
North)
Mark Mills-Bishop (Flamstead End and Turnford)
1. Purpose of the Report
1.1. To inform the Panel of the outcome of the public
consultation on the proposal to alter the way that primary
behaviour support services, including intensive short-term
schooling provision for pupils at risk of exclusion, are delivered
in the Borough of Broxbourne.
1.2. The proposal involves:
(i) the commissioning of a new primary behaviour support service
for the area, including outreach support to mainstream schools and
intensive short stay schooling, from Rivers Education Support
Centre (ESC), in Hoddesdon, from January 2021 for which a change in
its age range will be required, as well as capital funding to
provide appropriate accommodation, and as a consequence;
(ii) the closure of the Primary Support Base (PSB) located at
Andrews
Lane Primary School, Andrews Lane, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, EN7
6LB, for which a statutory process is required;
2. Summary
2.1. There were 20 respondents to the consultation, of whom 17
(85%)
agreed with the proposal, 2 (10%) disagreed and 1 (5%) did not
know. The Governing Body at Andrews Lane Primary School agrees with
the
Agenda Item No.
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proposal, as does the Management Committee at Rivers Education
Support Centre (ESC).
2.2 A breakdown of the responses to the consultations is
provided in section
5.
3. Recommendations
3.1 Panel is asked to recommend to Cabinet whether to: (i)
authorise the publication of a statutory notice to close the
Primary Support Base (PSB) located at Andrews Lane Primary
School with effect from January 2021 and conditional on the outcome
of this;
(ii) agree the change in the age range of Rivers Education
Support Centre (ESC);
(iii) approve capital funding for the Education Support Centre
(ESC).
or
(iv) take no further action; or (v) initiate fresh consultation
on any alternative suggestion(s); or (vi) take alternative
action.
4. Background
4.1 In Hertfordshire, specialist support for primary-age pupils
with emotional and behavioural needs in mainstream schools is
delivered through a range of services. They include advice and
outreach to support children in mainstream schools; a small number
of short-term places and 6th Day Provision for permanently excluded
children; and where necessary, longer term places for pupils with
particularly significant and complex emotional and behavioural
needs. The aim of the primary behaviour support service is to keep
these vulnerable children in their mainstream school wherever
possible.
4.2 In some areas the intensive short stay schooling services
are provided by a PSB. This has been the case in the Borough of
Broxbourne, where these services had been delivered from a PSB,
located at and managed by Andrews Lane Primary School. From 1 April
2019 these services have been managed by the local DSPL group, as
The Phoenix Centre PSB. Since 30 September 2019 there have been no
children receiving intensive short-stay schooling at the PSB
located at Andrews Lane Primary School.
4.3 Other areas have successfully enhanced provision by moving
to a model where primary behaviour services are provided by the
local ESC. Following a review of primary behaviour support services
in the Borough of Broxbourne, the County Council and the local DSPL
partnership, consider that moving to the ESC model would have a
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positive impact for pupils and schools in the area, as it will
provide enhanced education opportunities and improved
facilities.
4.4 The Andrews Lane PSB was established with a capacity of 6
pupils. The capacity of the new provision at the ESC will increase
to 12 pupils.
4.5 It is proposed to commission a range of outreach services,
advice and support and a small number of pupil places available for
intensive short-stay schooling from Rivers ESC, which is rated by
Ofsted as “Good”. It is currently designated as a provider for
children in the age range 11-16 years; however, it is proposed to
change the age range to 5-16 years so that primary-age pupils can
be provided for. This change does not require a statutory
process.
4.6 New separate accommodation would be provided on the ESC site
for intensive short-stay schooling and 6th Day Provision as
required, with designated outside space. The capital cost will be
met by the Local Authority.
4.7 The PSB located at the Andrews Lane site would close, for
which statutory process is required.
4.8 The public consultation for the proposal was held over a
four-week period, beginning on 10 June 2020 and ending on 7 July
2020.
4.9 Consultation letters were sent (by electronic means
including e-mail or in hard copy form) to the following
groups/individuals:
(i) Parents/carers of children attending the two schools
(Andrews
Lane Primary and Rivers ESC); (ii) Staff at the two schools;
(iii) School Governors at the two schools; (iv) Maintained schools
in Broxbourne District; (v) Nurseries, pre-schools, day-care
centres and other early years
settings in Broxbourne District; (vi) MP(s), County Councillors,
Broxbourne District Councillors and
Local Authority Chief Executives; (vii) Trade Union
representatives; (viii) Church Diocese representatives; (ix) NHS
representatives; (x) Parent Governor representatives on the
Overview and Scrutiny
Committee; (xi) Local Libraries and Citizen’s Advice Bureaux;
(xii) Herts Parent Carer Involvement (HPCI); (xiii) Headteacher
Forums; (xiv) Selected officers working for Hertfordshire County
Council.
4.10 The consultation letter and response form were also
available on Hertfordshire County Council’s website
(www.hertfordshire.gov.uk). A total of 836 consultation letters
were sent out (by electronic means including email or in hard copy
form).
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5. Response to the consultation 5.1. Due to the current Covid-19
situation, it has not been possible to supply
Members with hard copies of the consultation responses received.
Instead, copies of the redacted responses were distributed to
members by email, in advance of Education, Libraries and Localism
Cabinet Panel and Cabinet meetings on 8 September and 21 September
2020 respectively.
5.2. An analysis of the responses follows which includes:
(i) a breakdown of the number of responses received; (ii) the
key issues raised and the response to them; (iii) a copy of the
governing body responses (Appendix 1) (iv) officer conclusion and
recommendation.
5.3. A summary of the responses received is shown below.
Capacity of respondent
Total
responses Agree Disagree
Don't
Know
Parent/carer 2 1 1 0
School governor 2 2 0 0
Member of management committee 3 3 0 0
Member of staff 6 5 0 1
Resident 2 2 0 0
Other 5 4 1 0
% 85.0% 10.0% 5.0%
Total responses 20 17 2 1
6. Key Issues and responses
6.1. A majority of respondents (85%) agree with the
proposal.
6.2. Key themes raised and officer response to these:
Two consultees questioned the proposed capacity of the new
provision at the ESC of 12 and suggested it should be more.
The proposal for 12 in-reach short term schooling places is in
line with other Primary Behaviour Services across the Local
Authority and is double the current capacity of the Phoenix Centre
based at Andrews Lane Primary School. The Rivers ESC would also
provide outreach services for the local area providing a continuum
of provision for many more children, in line with the Hertfordshire
Emotional Wellbeing and Behaviour Strategy.
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One respondent felt it would be a shame to have on record any
details of help given to younger children (via the ESC) due to a
concern that there can be a tendency to label such children for
years after they have moved on.
This proposal is not about labelling children. Instead this
provision is needed to support the children of the area by
recognising their specific needs and to focus on ways to support
them so that they are successful in the future.
The Chair of Governors at Andrews Lane Primary School replied,
that she was only able to agree in principle with the proposal to
provide DSPL4 provision at an alternative site to Andrews Lane
Primary School, not having had sight of the detailed specification
of the proposal for alternative provision. She added that she
looked forward to receiving details in full.
In response to the further details requested by the Chair of
Governors, they have been provided with details of how the new
service should operate which has been discussed by local Head
Teachers as part of the local areas primary behaviour review
conducted by a sub group of local heads and is in line with the
revised Hertfordshire Emotional Wellbeing and Behaviour Strategy.
Further details will follow later or will be communicated between
the operators of the new facility and the previous facility.
One consultee had concerns around how the service will be
delivered to effectively support primary aged children.
The purpose of the in-reach and outreach support is to support
children who are at risk of exclusion with the aim of keeping them
in mainstream education and addressing their individual needs
whilst building capacity in local schools and settings. Rivers ESC
is already commissioned to carry out the outreach support. Specific
funding from the high-needs block is assigned to the local area and
would be used to recruit appropriate staff and develop existing
staff. In the plan submitted by the local area, there is a clear
plan to ensure expertise is available. The placements are designed
to be short term intensive placements (12 weeks maximum, to be
reviewed regularly or extended if individual needs are agreed by a
range of professionals). The plan highlights a key focus on
reintegration with ongoing outreach support as the child either
returns to the original mainstream school or to an alternative
destination if agreed.
One respondent believed that Children Looked After (CLA) should
be made the highest priority for admission to the ESC.
Admission arrangements to the new service would be overseen by a
group of headteachers and other professionals. Priority is always
given
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to looked-after children in line with the School Admission Code.
The DSPL funding model that determines the revenue cost is based on
the number of children living in the area to ensure that if needed,
children attend their closest provision in line with Hertfordshire
County Council strategy.
One consultee had concerns over the possible negative influence
of older children on younger children when mixed together at the
ESC.
Although the new service would operate out of the Rivers ESC,
separate accommodation would be provided for the younger children
of primary school-age. There would be a separate entrance/exit to
the new facility alongside separate outdoor learning spaces. Staff
would be able to move between the existing Rivers ESC centre and
the new primary behaviour service and if the younger children
needed to access the Key Stage 4 building they would be accompanied
by a member of staff at all times. In other areas of the local
authority this model continues to be successful.
One respondent sought assurance that the needs of permanently
excluded pupils placed at the ESC will be properly assessed
including a statutory assessment if required.
The needs of excluded pupils placed at the ESC will be properly
assessed by appropriately trained staff and outcomes will be
monitored by the DSPL group and Hertfordshire County Council.
One respondent sought assurance that pupils at the ESC will be
facilitated to move back to mainstream schools with support or onto
specialist provision and not be left at the ESC indefinitely.
In-reach, short term schooling at the new facility is to be
provided for 12 weeks with reintegration to the appropriate
provision carried out during this time. A key element of the
service level agreement and vision for the new service is to ensure
short term schooling that incorporates high quality support and
that builds capacity in local schools whilst addressing the child’s
specific needs.
7. Conclusions
7.1 Having analysed all the responses, it is the Officers’ view,
in light of:
(i) the agreement of the Governing Body of Andrews Lane Primary
School and the Management Committee of Rivers ESC to the proposal;
and
(ii) the overwhelming support for the proposal from people
responding to the consultation;
that Cabinet approves the publication of a statutory notice for
the proposal to alter the way that primary behaviour support
services,
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including intensive short-term schooling provision for pupils at
risk of exclusion, are delivered in the Borough of Broxbourne.
8. Financial Implications
Revenue funding 8.1 Primary Support Bases are funded from the
Dedicated Schools Grant
(DSG). Should the closure be approved, and the new service
commissioned, revenue funding will transfer to Rivers ESC. The
overall level of funding for primary behaviour support services
will remain unchanged and will come from the same source.
Capital funding
8.2 The cost of this scheme has been estimated at £250,000. It
is
considered prudent that a programme contingency is budgeted for
to cope with any increases to the cost of the scheme, that may
result at the point of tender and through the town planning
process. That contingency has been increased above normal levels,
as where the ESC wishes to site the building is in Flood Zone 3 and
it may be that more mitigation needs to be factored in to the
project. The total budget requested to be approved is therefore
£300,000. If the contingency fund is not used, it shall be returned
to the Specialist Provision Capital Fund for allocation on other
projects.
8.3 The cost can be met from the SEND Specialist Provision
Capital Grant,
allocated to Hertfordshire some of which has been previously
approved to be allocated against schemes. The main purpose of the
grant is to fund improvements and provide additional capacity at
settings, including special schools, for pupils with Educational
Health care Plans.
8.4 SEND Provision Capital Grant:
Total allocation £11.191m Less previously approved commitments
£6.9m Less estimated cost of this proposal £0.25m Less contingency
£0.05m Allocation remaining £3.991m
The remaining allocation is earmarked for other priority SEND
initiatives, one of which is included in another report to this
Panel. The remainder will be reported to Cabinet in the near
future.
8.5 This proposal was considered and endorsed by the SEND Senior
Leadership Group in March 2020.
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9. Equalities implications 9.1. When considering proposals
placed before Members it is important that
they are fully aware of, and have themselves rigorously
considered the Equality implications of the decision that they are
making.
9.2. Rigorous consideration will ensure that proper appreciation
of any
potential impact of that decision on the County Council’s
statutory obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty. As a
minimum this requires decision makers to read and carefully
consider the content of any Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA)
produced by officers.
9.3. The Equality Act 2010 requires the County Council when
exercising its
functions to have due regard to the need to (a) eliminate
discrimination, harassment, victimisation and other conduct
prohibited under the Act; (b) advance equality of opportunity
between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and
persons who do not share it and (c) foster good relations between
persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons
who do not share it. The protected characteristics under the
Equality Act 2010 are age; disability; gender reassignment;
marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race;
religion and belief, sex and sexual orientation.
9.4. An Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA) has been carried out
and
updated where necessary on the proposal contained within this
report. It is appended to this report (see Appendix 2) in order
that Members are fully aware of any equality issues arising from
the proposal. Consideration has been given to the likely impact of
the proposal, and current assessment concludes that it is not
anticipated that people with protected characteristics will be
affected disproportionately. The EqIA will be continued to be
reviewed and updated as necessary.
Background Information None
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Appendix 1
Andrews Lane Primary School - Governing Body Response: “As Chair
of Governors at Andrews Lane, I agree in principle with the
proposal to provide DSPL4 provision at an alternative site to
Andrews Lane Primary School, Cheshunt. However, having not seen
sight of the detailed specification of the proposal for alternative
provision, I am only able to agree in principle and I look forward
to receiving details in full.” Rivers ESC – Management Committee
Response: Received from Chair of Full Committee at Rivers ESC:
“Full support of the Management Committee. Much needed resource in
DSPL4. DSPL4 is an area of social deprivation, high levels of
primary exclusions. Security of tenure is needed by Rivers to
guarantee long term success of primary base. Primary Base should be
independently financially secure.”
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Appendix 2
EqIA - Proposal to alter the way that primary behaviour support
services are delivered in the Borough of Broxbourne.
1. Who is completing the EqIA and why is it being done?
Title of service / proposal / project / strategy / procurement
you are assessing
Proposal to alter the way that primary behaviour support
services, including intensive short-term schooling provision for
pupils at risk of exclusion, are delivered in the Borough of
Broxbourne.
Names of those involved in completing the EqIA Christopher
Martin, Adrian Bentley
Head of Service or Business Manager Pauline Davis
Team/Department School Planning Team, Children’s Services
Lead officer contact details Christopher Martin
Focus of EqIA – what are you assessing?
The above-mentioned proposal will require:
the commissioning of a new primary behaviour support service for
the area, including outreach support to mainstream schools and
intensive short stay schooling, from Rivers Education Support
Centre (ESC), Old Essex Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, EN11 0AA
with effect from January 2021;
a change of age range for Rivers ESC from 11–16 to 5–16 years
(i.e. an alteration of the lower age limit); and
the closure of the Primary Support Base (PSB) located at Andrews
Lane Primary School, Andrews Lane, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, EN7
6LB.
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Why is this being proposed? In Hertfordshire, specialist support
for primary-age pupils with emotional and behavioural needs in
mainstream schools is delivered through a range of services. They
include advice and outreach to support children in mainstream
schools; a small number of short-term places and 6th Day Provision
for permanently excluded children; and where necessary, longer term
places for pupils with particularly significant and complex
emotional and behavioural needs. The aim of the primary behaviour
support services is to keep these vulnerable children in their
mainstream school wherever possible. In some areas the intensive
short stay schooling services are provided by a PSB. This has been
the case in the Borough of Broxbourne, where these services had
been delivered from a PSB, located at and managed by Andrews Lane
Primary School. From 1 April 2019 these services have been managed
by the local DSPL group, as The Phoenix Centre PSB. Other areas
have successfully enhanced provision by moving to a model where
primary behaviour services are provided by the local ESC. Following
a review of primary behaviour support services in the Borough of
Broxbourne, the county council and the local DSPL partnership,
consider that moving to the ESC model would have a positive impact
for pupils and schools in the area, as it will provide enhanced
education opportunities and improved facilities. The Andrews Lane
PSB was established with a capacity of 6 pupils. The capacity of
the new provision at the ESC will increase to 12 pupils. It is
proposed to commission a range of outreach services, advice and
support and a small number of pupil places available for intensive
short-stay schooling from Rivers ESC, which is rated by Ofsted as
“Good”. It is currently designated as a provider for children in
the age range 11-16 years; however, it is proposed to change the
age range to 5-16 years so that primary-age pupils can be provided
for. New separate accommodation would be provided on the ESC site
for intensive short-stay schooling and 6th Day Provision as
required, with
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designated outside space. The capital cost will be met by the
Local Authority. Project costs are not yet finalised but will be
once a competitive tendering process is complete.
Stakeholders
Officers carried out a 4-week public consultation on this
proposal, which started on 10 June and ended on 7 July 2020.
Consultation letters were sent (by electronic means including
e-mail or in hard copy form) to the following stakeholders:
1. Parents/carers of children attending the two schools (Andrews
Lane Primary and Rivers ESC);
2. Staff at the two schools; 3. School Governors at the two
schools; 4. Maintained schools in Broxbourne District; 5.
Nurseries, pre-schools, day-care centres and other early years
settings
in Broxbourne District; 6. MP(s), County Councillors, Broxbourne
District Councillors and Local
Authority Chief Executives; 7. Trade Union representatives; 8.
Church Diocese representatives; 9. NHS representatives; 10. Parent
Governor representatives on the Overview and Scrutiny
Committee; 11. Local Libraries and Citizen’s Advice Bureaux; 12.
Herts Parent Carer Involvement (HPCI); 13. Headteacher Forums; 14.
Selected officers working for Hertfordshire County Council.
The consultation letter and response form were also available on
Hertfordshire County Council’s website (www.hertfordshire.gov.uk).
A total of 836 consultation letters were sent out (by electronic
means including email or in hard copy form).
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2. List of data sources used for this EqIA
Title and brief description Date Gaps in data
Officers carried out a 4-week public consultation on this
proposal, which started on 10 June and ended on 7 July 2020.
Following the end of the consultation period officers analysed the
responses that were received and considered any issues that were
raised in them concerning the protected characteristics listed in
section 3 below. These issues and our response to them have been
incorporated into this updated EqIA.
10 June – 7 July 2020
None
Spring 2020 school census data on gender split, English as an
additional language (EAL), ethnicity, free school meal (FSM)
eligibility, number of children with Education, Health and Care
(EHC) plans (E) or SEN support (K). Average % for all 33 primary
schools in Broxbourne District. Countywide data in last column
includes pupils at special schools.
Spring 2020 school census data
All Prim Schs in Broxbourne District (av. %)
Hertfordshire County (av. %)
Students (Years R to 6) 9089 100993
Number Minority Ethnic Students (not White British and excluding
Refused and Not Obtained)
3314 33412
% Minority Ethnic Students (not White British and excluding
Refused and Not Obtained)
36.46% 33.08%
Number EAL (English as an additional language) (First language
Not English or believed not to be English excluding Refused and Not
Obtained)
1544 17705
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% EAL (First language Not English or believed not to be English
excluding Refused and Not Obtained)
16.99% 17.53%
Number with EHC plans (E) 136 2497
% with EHC plans (E) 1.50% 2.47%
Number with SEN support (K) 1110 12855
% with SEN support (K) 12.21% 12.73%
Number Eligible for FSM (Free School Meals) (at date of
Census)
1312 11890
% Eligible for FSM (at date of Census)
14.44% 11.77%
Number of Male Students 4590 51573
% of Male Students 50.50% 51.07%
Number of Female Students 4499 49420
% of Female Students 49.50% 48.93%
Summary of data in the table above.
For primary-age pupils (Reception to Year 6), comparing the
average percentage across all 33 primary schools in the Broxbourne
District with the county average: the percentage of Minority Ethnic
Students is higher; the percentage of pupils with English as an
additional language (EAL) is lower; the percentage of pupils with
Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans (E) is lower; the percentage
of pupils with SEN support (K) is lower; the percentage of pupils
who are eligible for free school meals (FSM) is higher; the
percentage of male pupils is lower than the county average and the
percentage of female pupils is correspondingly higher.
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3. Analysis and assessment: review of information, impact
analysis and mitigating actions
Protected characteristic group
What do you know? What do people tell you?
What does this mean – what are the potential impacts of the
proposal(s)?
What can you do?
Age
During the consultation process the following concerns were
raised: ‘My main concern is that children at primary age are so
young, in my opinion too young, to be excluded from school. I feel
that if they are excluded at this age they feel rejected and don't
properly understand what is happening to them.’ And ‘Our main
concern would be mixing the younger pupils with the older pupils at
the ESC for fear of criminal exploitation and recruitment into gang
activity.’
It is not anticipated at this stage that the proposals will
affect people disproportionately because of their age. The proposal
requires the lowering of the age range of the ESC to include
primary age children. However, the primary age children will be in
a separate provision on the site with specialist primary teaching
support. It will also be separately funded. The lowering of the age
range will therefore not affect secondary aged pupils at the
ESC.
No additional mitigation is currently required but the position
will continue to be monitored and if any issues in respect of the
protected characteristic are identified then the Action Plan below
will be amended accordingly. In regard to the mixing of a wide
range of age groups, there will be a separate entrance/exit to the
new facility alongside separate outdoor learning spaces. Staff
would be able to move between the existing Rivers ESC centre and
the new primary behaviour service and if the younger children
needed to access the Key Stage 4 building they would be accompanied
by a member of staff at all times. The placements are also designed
to be short term intensive placements (12 weeks maximum, to be
reviewed regularly or extended if individual needs are agreed by a
range of professionals).
Disability
It is not anticipated at this stage that the proposals will
affect people disproportionately because of their disability.
The position will continue to be monitored and if any issues in
respect of the protected characteristic are identified then the
Action Plan will be amended accordingly. Any issues identified or
known, as well as the duties found within Part 6, Section 149 and
Schedules 10 and 13 of the Equality Act 2010 concerning disability
will be factored into the individual scheme designs. Any
building
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Protected characteristic group
What do you know? What do people tell you?
What does this mean – what are the potential impacts of the
proposal(s)?
What can you do?
scheme will also meet the requirements to avoid Disability
Discrimination under Section 15 of the Equality Act 2010.
Gender reassignment
It is not anticipated at this stage that the proposals will
affect people disproportionately because of their gender
reassignment.
No mitigation is currently required but the position will
continue to be monitored and if any issues in respect of the
protected characteristic are identified then the Action Plan below
will be amended accordingly.
Pregnancy and maternity
It is not anticipated at this stage that the proposals will
affect people disproportionately because of their pregnancy or
maternity.
No mitigation is currently required but the position will
continue to be monitored and if any issues in respect of the
protected characteristic are identified then the Action Plan below
will be amended accordingly.
Race
It is not anticipated at this stage that the proposals will
affect people disproportionately because of their race.
No mitigation is currently required but the position will
continue to be monitored and if any issues in respect of the
protected characteristic are identified then the Action Plan below
will be amended accordingly.
Religion or belief
It is not anticipated at this stage that the proposals will
affect people disproportionately because of their religion or
belief.
No mitigation is currently required but the position will
continue to be monitored and if any issues in respect of the
protected characteristic are identified then the Action Plan below
will be amended accordingly.
Sex/Gender
It is not anticipated at this stage that the proposals will
affect people disproportionately because of their sex/gender.
No mitigation is currently required but the position will
continue to be monitored and if any issues in respect of the
protected characteristic are identified then the Action Plan below
will be amended accordingly.
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Protected characteristic group
What do you know? What do people tell you?
What does this mean – what are the potential impacts of the
proposal(s)?
What can you do?
Sexual orientation
It is not anticipated at this stage that the proposals will
affect people disproportionately because of their sexual
orientation.
No mitigation is currently required but the position will
continue to be monitored and if any issues in respect of the
protected characteristic are identified then the Action Plan below
will be amended accordingly.
Marriage and civil partnership
It is not anticipated at this stage that the proposals will
affect people disproportionately because of their marriage or civil
partnership.
No mitigation is currently required but the position will
continue to be monitored and if any issues in respect of the
protected characteristic are identified then the Action Plan below
will be amended accordingly.
Carers
It is not anticipated at this stage that the proposals will
affect people disproportionately because of their caring
responsibility.
No mitigation is currently required but the position will
continue to be monitored and if any issues in respect of the
protected characteristic are identified then the Action Plan below
will be amended accordingly.
Other relevant groups Consider if there is a potential impact
(positive or negative) on areas such as health and wellbeing, crime
and disorder, Armed Forces community.
During consultation it was highlighted that ‘Please consider
children looked after as the highest priority for admission. Please
consider admitting children who attend schools in the areas listed
rather than on their placement address as children looked after
often live in different areas to their school’
It is not anticipated at this stage that the proposals will
affect people disproportionately because of their looked after
status.
Admission arrangements to the new service would be overseen by a
group of headteachers and other professionals. Priority is always
given to looked-after children in line with the School Admission
Code. The funding model that determines the revenue cost is based
on the number of children living in the area to ensure that if
needed, children attend their closest provision in line with
Hertfordshire County Council strategy.
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Opportunity to advance equality of opportunity and/or foster
good relations
Other areas have successfully enhanced provision by moving to a
model where primary behaviour services are provided by the local
ESC. Following a review of primary behaviour support services in
the Borough of Broxbourne, the county council and the local DSPL
partnership, consider that moving to the ESC model would have a
positive impact for pupils and schools in the area, as it will
provide enhanced education opportunities and improved facilities.
The proposal, should it go ahead, would offer improved
opportunities for all children, including:
access to enhanced outreach behaviour support for local
mainstream primary schools;
access to local intensive short-term schooling placements for
pupils at risk of exclusion, at Rivers ESC;
improved outcomes for pupils in the short and longer term with
improved potential for young people to remain in the mainstream
setting;
intensive therapeutic support during short-stay schooling;
where a pupil is permanently excluded from a mainstream school,
they will be placed on roll at Rivers ESC and provided with full
time education.
The proposal will provide enhanced education opportunities and
an improved learning environment, in new facilities, for vulnerable
pupils at risk of exclusion in the Borough of Broxbourne.
Conclusion of your analysis and assessment
OUTCOME AND NEXT STEPS SUMMARY
i. No equality impacts identified - No major change required to
proposal
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ii. Minimal equality impacts identified - Adverse impacts have
been identified, but have been objectively
justified (provided you do not unlawfully discriminate) - Ensure
decision makers consider the cumulative effect of how a
number of decisions impact on equality - No major change
required to proposal
In addition to the Action Plan, the actions as identified above
in relation to the issues raised regarding age and looked after
status provide sufficient mitigation methodologies to address any
potential adverse impact.
iii. Potential equality impacts identified - Take ‘mitigating
action’ to change the original policy/proposal,
remove barriers or better advance equality - Set out clear
actions in the action plan in section 4.
iv. Major equality impacts identified - The adverse effects are
not justified, cannot be mitigated or show
unlawful discrimination - You must stop and remove the
policy
[you should consult with Legal Services] - Ensure decision
makers understand the equality impact
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4. Prioritised Action Plan
Impact identified and group(s) affected
Action planned
Expected outcome Measure of success Lead officer and
timeframe
Stakeholders
Explore ways of supporting parents, carers, governors and staff
through the change process.
Stakeholders are fully supported throughout the process.
No stakeholders raise issues of not being supported through the
process.
Chris Martin December 2020
Disabled Pupils
Ensure that any known issues around disability are factored into
the individual scheme designs and that all building schemes are
compliant with the Equalities Act.
New build is fully compliant with build requirements.
New build is fully compliant with build requirements.
Chris Martin December 2020
This EqIA has been signed off by:
Lead Equality Impact Assessment officer: Christopher Martin
Date: 25 August 2020
Head of Service or Business Manager: Pauline Davis Date: 25
August 2020
Review date: 27 October 2020