Decision details

Permission to consult on changes to the BESD SILC provision in Leeds.

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report which sought permission to undertake consultation on the proposal to further develop social and emotional mental health (SEMH) education provision in Leeds. In addition, the report proposed to take steps to move the governance (cease to provide) of some existing providers to become part of an outstanding local Academy, which would enable the establishment of additional SEMH provision on sites in the east and in the south of the city as part of the conversion process with an outstanding preferred sponsor.

A request was made that the matters detailed within the submitted report were progressed as swiftly as possible, that liaison with the Department for Education continued to take place throughout this process and that the Board continued to be kept up to date as appropriate.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the intention to convert the existing Behavioural, Emotional  and Social Difficulties (BESD) Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre (SILC) into a 4 – 19 SEMH sponsored academy across one primary phase and three secondary phase sites, be noted;

(b)  That approval and permission be granted to consult upon changing (ceasing to provide) provision at North East SILC Oakwood site in order to become part of the new academy, from 31 August 2016;

(c)  That approval be given to establishing a new site in east Leeds for Social Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) as part of the converted BESD SILC academy from 2017;

(d)  That approval be given to establishing a new site in south Leeds for Social Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) as part of the converted BESD SILC academy from 2017; 

(e)  That approval be given to proceed with the design development for the first two SEMH projects, with an acceptance of the associated design fees incurred;

(f)  That the capital expenditure required to create a world class provision within the city be approved in principle and subject to further reports being submitted to Executive Board, and that the savings, both in the revenue costs and social capital costs, of not having to provide for children with SEMH outside of the authority be acknowledged;

(g)  That it be noted that the officer responsible for the implementation of such matters is the Head of Learning Systems, and that the scheme will be implemented by September 2017.

As prescribed by School Organisation establishment and discontinued regulations 2013.

Parents, staff and governors of proposed and neighbouring school, prospective parents, local residents, ward members, Diocese, neighbouring LA’s, MP’s, trade unions, parish councils and other relevant stakeholders.