These were accepted as a true record.

Cath Dew from Social Services has joined the Steering Group.

Next meeting with the DfES – 2 October.

Ministerial announcement now expected at around the Labour Party Conference.

FM Task Group – Health colleagues to attend as and when necessary.

Consultation period finishing this week. Last batch of responses coming in. Information to be analysed to report on outcomes via EPP 22 Oct; O & S 5 Nov; Executive 18 Nov.

EY/EB paper submitted to EPP last week relating to Early Years and SEN provision.

MC - Pathfinder also going to Executive on 18 Nov.

Buildings (RM): Group has met for the first time. Produced action plan and simple timeline and passing to LS. There is a need to identify parameters for bringing in other partners/funding. MC – any arrangements for investment from BCT and various joint ventures? Vision into Practice and Buildings subgroups progressing well together.

Out of school activities facilities to consider – RH to forward a named rep to RM.

Vision into Practice (HS): Productive meeting has taken place since last Steering Group. High commitment from members of the subgroup. Action plan to be circulated to Health – intention to complete by half term.

Transition (BD): To meet in the near future. Timeline tabled. HS commented that very little related to staff and pupils. Discussion centred around the difficulties of transition for the existing schools’ population. Parents already anxious about the mapping of the current population into new schools. It was agreed that all issues relating to transition should be addressed and that all partners, such as Health, be considered in the process. CH also enquired about Governor representation on subgroups. LS to review group remits in terms of transition with sub-group leaders and to bring together an overall project timeline.

It was agreed that transition in relation to pupils be brought back to a later meeting.

HR (MB): Divided into 2 groups:

a) HR subgroup considering the implications of the whole process of reorganisation for special schools’ staff;

b) OJC – consultation with Unions for both teaching and non teaching staff.

a) HR subgroup met this week and meeting thereafter fortnightly to consider issues raised at Steering Group and from the OJC. Minutes will be circulated and published on the Special Schools’ Website.

Questions raised from the subgroup meeting: where does autism lie in relation to the process and a similar question concerning Thorn Park and Community Nurseries. HS – All autism services currently being reviewed but outside of this group. Thorn Park also sits outside of the process – a report going to EPP in December. Community Nursery at Wedgwood – there is an over provision of nursery places in the area.

MB to pass to JW the name of the HR rep to join the Communication subgroup.

b) OJC – three meetings taken place so far. Agreed a series of key principles which will be circulated to Steering Group.

Temporary Governing bodies cannot be established until after approval from SOC.

CH – Temple Bank staff still anxious. MB in dialogue with Unions and agreed a framework for moving this forward. HR and Unions will be making contact with staff within the next 2 weeks. Temple Bank has made contact with BD for closing down the school. The process followed at TB will inform plans for proposed District-wide reorganisation.

Training (CH): Next meeting Fri, 3 Oct. Two letters sent to Special Schools concerning the funding of £250,000 for training and support and the development of further Outreach Work. This funding will be particularly useful for those staff who have substantial experience but lack qualifications. CH to work with MB to consider any clauses to attach to the applications made by staff.

Communication (JW): Draft communication plan tabled. Comments welcome to JW/LS.

Subgroup to meet as and when necessary.

Website to be developed for use by Group members, parents, staff, governors and interested parties. This will link to other related websites. Agreed to develop a private area for Steering Group. Planned to be up and running by end of October.

Governor briefings generally well attended with a good number of nominations to the FM Task Group. Governors requesting involvement in forthcoming 14-19 Confederation. Agreed the importance of Special School representation in this process.

Early Years (RH): Draft remit of the subgroup tabled. After comment, it was agreed to change the wording on part d) from "provide recommendations for consideration" to "feed issues in for consideration".

LS would like to pull together the whole map of the reorganisation process, using action plans and timelines from the subgroups. Subgroups to pass to LS electronic copies as soon as possible.

Health need to be represented at different times on the subgroups. JR suggests a Health subgroup, meeting monthly. JR/CD to bring a short paper to the next meeting for consideration.

Agenda item for the next meeting. PG – a request also to consider living accommodation for those leaving special school at 19+ years.

LS – request to subgroups for revenue implications for next financial year.

Friday, 10 October, 10.30 am, Committee Room 3, City Hall.