Agenda item

Schools Forum received a report which provided the Forum with an overview of the Alternative Provision spend and pupil numbers since 2016/17, the budget and projected spend for 2021/22.

The Alternative Provision budget had seen large increases in spend year on year from 2017/18 onwards which had put financial pressure on the High Need Block Grant. Table 1, below, showed the actual AP spend, annual budget and variance for the financial years 2016/17 to 2020/21 as well as the approximate number of pupils being supported in each year, as at 1 April each year. The biggest pressure against budget reported, was in 2018/19.

In order to monitor and control the number of pupils placed in Alternative Provisions and the rationale behind the placements, an Alternative Provision Panel had been set up from 1 September 2019. The membership now included representatives from The Local Authority, The West Midlands Police, The Children’s Trust, the Independent Chair of the Fair Access Panel and the Pupil Referral Units.

The numbers of pupils had reduced naturally over time, as pupils left the provisions at the end of year 11 and new pupils entering Alternative Provision had reduced considerably since the introduction of the Panel.

The Budget for 2021/22 is £843,700 and included an in-year allocation of £540K to provide for any international new arrivals that could not be realistically placed on a school roll and any impact of COVID19. The estimated outturn already showed a reduction to budget following the cessation of a contract.

2020/2021 Outturn

Table 2, below, showed the pupil numbers against each provider and the costs which had been incurred in 2020/21 financial Year 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021.

2021/22 Projection

Table 3 below, showed the projected numbers against each provider and the current estimated costs for the financial year 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022

Table 4, below, showed the average cost of provision at each of the providers where pupils had been attending on 1 April 2021. Where applicable an additional cost per day for midday meals would be funded if the pupil was eligible for free school meals.

Forum Members queried in relation to 3.4 of the report, if that allocation was for contingencies. J Gill advised that this money was for contingencies and that future reports would continue to update on this data.

D Irish advised that, in his experience of the AP Panel, it was very positive and had helped to reduce and control spend.

Schools Forum noted the contents of the report.