NOTES OF SEN HR SUB GROUP 5th MEETING

12 NOVEMBER 2003 

Present: 	Matt Burghardt, (MB),                   Chairperson
                Susan Milnes, (FSM),                    HR Advisor
                Janet Bates, (JB),                      Admin Branshaw
		Judith Bodill Chandler, (JBC),          Teacher Wedgewood
		Liz Eggington, (LE),                    Admin Bolling
		Keith Fair, (KF),                       H/T Haycliffe
		Jean Godward, (JG)                      H/T Wedgewood
		Diane Metcalfe, (DM),                   Teacher Bolling
                Jason Patefield (JP),                   SNA Branshaw	
In Attendance:  Liz Singleton, (LS),                    Education Client Team		
Copies:	        Phil Green, (PG),                       Director of Education
		Carol Farn,                             SNA Braithwaite
		Mary Winter,                            D-H/T, Heaton Royd
Apologies:	Stephen Pearce,                         EB HR

 

   

Action

1

Minutes of 15 October meeting, approved as issued.

 

2

Matters arising

  

2.1

Para 4.2. LS reported on the consultation timeline and roles of the Education Policy Partnership, the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Executive. The DfES announcement concerning funding had been further delayed until 24 November and the report was to be submitted to the 02 December Executive meeting. Should the Executive decision be to continue with the process, the final decision would be taken following the period of Statutory Recommendations (which would allow for letters of support and objection to be made) by the School Organisation Committee with a final referral to an Adjudicator should that be required.

 

2.2

Access to the website, if colleagues experience difficulties accessing the website they should click on the refresh button or F5 which should resolve the problem. Many thanks to Jason for the advice and resolving this issue.

  

3

Communication

  

3.1

Copies of the HR submission for the SEN website and bulletin were circulated to group members.

  

3.2

Copies of the SEN briefing paper were circulated to group members.

  

3.3

The SEN communication strategy was outlined by LS. MB emphasised the need for effective, regular and ongoing communication with staff. All copies of a staff newsletter to be agreed by the HR sub group prior to issue. A staff bulletin was suggested which would be colour coded to assist identification. Communication group to suggest ideas for effective and consistent communication with staff.

 

 

 

 

 

LS/MW

4

The group concurred that they would wish to support parental interest possibly by issuing bulletins etc but, given the confidential nature of some staffing issues, did not consider it appropriate that they should be members of the group.

  

5

Reports/issues from schools – none.

  

6

Issues to take to next SEN Steering Group

  

6.1

Parental involvement.

  

6.2

Staffing newsletter.

  

7.

Location of next meeting, Liz Eggington offered for meetings to be held at Bolling Special School – gratefully accepted.

  

8

AOB

  

8.1

Clarification on the implications of a PFI school taking out a facilities management contract for staff will be provided as soon as further details are known. However, in principle, this would involve the affected staff having a TUPE transfer to the facilities management company.

  

 

 

 

Homepage S.S.R. Vision into Practice. Staffing. E-mail.