Issue - meetings

6.1     The Committee established a ‘Raising the Participation Age’ (RPA) Review Board to examine if East Sussex County Council was meeting relevant statutory duties and whether improvements could be made to increase the levels of participation of young people in education, employment and training.   

6.2       The report provided the Committee with an opportunity to review the Department’s progress with its implementation of the measures described in the Action Plan (as set out in Appendix 1 to the report).   Fiona Wright (Assistant Director) and Caroline McKiddie (Participation Manager: Education, Employment & Training) provided Members with an overview of the key developments since the last meeting of the Committee.

6.3       In response, the Committee welcomed the report and raised a number of questions in relation to the Action Plan.  A summary of the Committee’s questions, together with responses from the Department are set out below:  

·        Sustaining progress.  

The Committee recognised the achievements set out in the Action Plan.  However, given the pressure on resources Members asked for the Department’s view as to how the positive progress made to date can be sustained.    In response, the Committee were informed that, for example, some schools are struggling to find resource time to undertake activities that support the ‘Investors in Careers’ (IiC) award.  As a result the Department are helping to link Business Advisers to relevant schools so that they can provide additional support with some aspects of IiC work.    The Department also believe that over time it has refined its understanding of what activities have the most impact and that it has developed excellent working relationships with local schools.   These, and other factors, mean the Department are reasonably confident that the progress made to date is sustainable.

·        Work Placements for Year 10 pupils.   

The level of placements for Year 10 students has increased from 35% two years ago to 45% for the 2016/17 academic year.   Whilst recognising this progress, the Committee asked whether the Department are content with this figure and for its views on the challenges it is facing in achieving an increase in the number of Year 10 students being offered work placements next year.   In response, the Committee were informed that the Department believe the percentage rate in East Sussex compares favourably with national figures.  However, the Department are not content with this figure and believe that every young person should have the opportunity to participate in a work experience placement.   Given this the Department are exploring ways of expanding the service further so as to provide more work placement opportunities.   In terms of barriers to further progress, the Department accept that funding may present a challenge going forward as, for example, Colleges are charged for the service.  However, and with a view to encouraging maximum participation in the scheme, the Department are trying to ensure these charges are kept as low as possible.  In relation to this, feedback indicates that Colleges perceive the service as good value for money.

·        Employability Passport (EP). 

The Committee asked if Members could  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6