National changes spark changes to children's services

Changes are set to be made to two children's services following new national legislation.

Proposals for the ethnic minority and traveller achievement service (EMTAS) and the school improvement service are contained in a new Leicestershire County Council report.

They are part of a wider move to re-shape children and young people's services - this has been sparked by new national rules and a reduction in funding which mean that services provided by local authorities across the country are changing.

The report suggests ending elements of the council's EMTAS service which are now the responsibility of schools. The council would still work with schools and traveller families through its multi-agency traveller unit, and retain a post to support unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

Following the impact of academies, it also recommends creating a smaller school improvement service in the short term, and ending the service from next April.

Ivan Ould, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for the children and young people's service, said: "The education landscape is changing and it's important that we act early to re-design our services and ensure they're in line with government expectations.

"The council's future role will focus mainly on vulnerable children, young people and their families, and we're working closely with schools to make sure that we listen to their views, and that changes are phased in in a considered way.

We do appreciate that this is an unsettling time for staff and are working with them to explore redeployment and redundancy options to minimise the impact."

The council is working with schools and parents on the transition and received over 300 responses to a recent consultation on the plans.

The report will be discussed by the council's cabinet next Tuesday (6th March).

Notes

The school improvement service provides support to schools to improve teaching, learning, leadership and management. Forty four time equivalent posts are at risk. The proposals would save around £2million.

The ethnic minority and traveller achievement service provides support to schools for ethnic minority and traveller children. Twenty one full time equivalent posts are at risk. The proposals would save around £300,000.

The proposals will help to save £10 million from children and young people's services over the next three years.

Reports outlining further proposals will be discussed by the cabinet this spring.