Agenda item

Miss F Adams, Policy Officer, was in attendance for this item

1.         Mrs Whittle and Miss Adams introduced the report and described the work being done by the Royal Alexandra and Albert School in Reigate, Surrey with vulnerable young people on the edge of care, to help them stay with their families.  Members were shown a DVD version of the school’s prospectus and one of former pupils talking about their experiences of being in care and at boarding school. The key points of the proposed boarding scheme were highlighted, as follows:-

• the number of young people who could be accommodated in a boarding scheme at such a school would be small, but the quality of the experience and the benefit to those young people would potentially be huge.  Demand for such a scheme would be likely to escalate in the future.

• the scheme would start children as boarders between ages of 10 and 12, and they would be fully involved in deciding whether or not they wish to attend. 

• the scheme would not normally include children with Special Educational Needs unless there were very specific circumstances.

• the cost of the scheme compare well with the costs of fostering a child. A fostering placement can cost the KCC between £800 and £1,000 per week. Once the contribution made by the schools grant is taken into account, a year’s boarding for one pupil in such a scheme need cost the KCC only £5,000 – 8,000 per annum, plus extras such a school trips.

• although the Royal Alexandra and Albert School is in Reigate, Surrey, it would be near enough for Kent parents to visit their children, but it would be helpful to build up a selection of schools able to offer the scheme in various locations across Kent.

• once placed, a child would continue to be funded and supported by the local authority all through their education.  They would not leave unless they wished to do so.

• suitable children would be identified via family group conferencing.  At the Royal Alexandra and Albert School, the Head Teacher also interviews prospective candidates to ensure that the school will suit them. Some 50-60% of candidates get through the selection process.

2.         In discussion, Members made the following comments:-

a)         some Members talked about their own positive experiences of boarding school, as pupils and one as a former housemaster, and outlined the potential benefits to young people.  The image of boarding schools as somewhat draconian institutions no longer matched the reality;

b)         Members broadly welcomed the proposals as a positive option for some - but not all - vulnerable children, and cautioned that children who could benefit from such placements would need to be carefully chosen;

c)         the costs of not sending a child to such a placement should also be taken into account; and

d)         the fact that children with Special Educational Needs would not be accepted would exclude many who could potentially benefit.

3.         Mr C T Wells proposed and Mr J M Ozog seconded that the recommendation in the report be changed from ‘to note’ to ‘to endorse the business case …’

Agreed without a vote

4.         It was then suggested and generally agreed that the Committee make a recommendation that Cabinet be urged to support the proposed boarding scheme.

Agreed without a vote

5.         RESOLVED that:-

a)         the business case for establishing a Kent assisted boarding scheme, appended to the report, be endorsed; and

b)         a recommendation be made to Cabinet urging them to support the proposal.