The Education & Skills Service Transformation Committee met on Wednesday 23 October 2024 to discuss supporting positive behaviour in schools and to note the committee's work plan. The minutes from the previous meeting were approved, and no personal or prejudicial interests were declared.

Supporting Positive Behaviour in Schools

The committee received an update on the ongoing work to support positive behaviour in schools across Swansea. Kate Phillips presented the findings from multi-agency workshops and a questionnaire distributed to schools, which aimed to understand the issues schools face, identify needed approaches, and explore how organisations can collectively support positive behaviour.

Key issues identified include a rise in dysregulation and emotional responses among children, a gap between home and school expectations, insufficient local authority resources, and an increase in children with complex and additional learning needs. Participants highlighted the need for early intervention, training, parental involvement, and consistent policies. Organisations reported offering direct support, specialist knowledge, and a willingness to collaborate. The feedback also stressed the importance of collective approaches, shared vision, and community engagement.

Phillips explained that the behaviours observed are often the tip of the iceberg, with underlying factors such as family dynamics, poverty, societal pressures, anxiety, and past traumas contributing to challenging conduct. She emphasised the need for realistic and achievable solutions within the council's financial constraints, noting that resources are shared and limited. The committee was informed that the next steps involve collating feedback, refining a detailed report, and developing a draft policy by January 2025, with a view to implementing a delivery plan from March/April onwards. A toolkit of practical resources and identification of best practices are also planned.

Councillor Robert Smith highlighted the link between behaviour and attendance, referencing past reviews that connected these issues. He stressed the importance of acknowledging the reality of the situation in schools and working collaboratively to find solutions, noting the long-term public and financial benefits of early intervention. Councillor Mike Durke, Chair and Councillor Champion for Life Long Learning, echoed the sentiment of working together and avoiding siloed decision-making, suggesting that a unified approach could lead to more effective resource allocation.

Lyndon Jones MBE inquired about the practicalities of community engagement and quick wins within the delivery plan. Kate Phillips responded that establishing a shared vision for engagement is crucial, acknowledging the diverse viewpoints, including those of parents who have become more involved in their children's education during the COVID-19 pandemic. She stressed the importance of testing findings with schools and partners to ensure a collaborative approach.

Councillor Sandra Joy asked about the timeline for the delivery plan, and Phillips confirmed the aim for a draft strategy by January 2025, with a delivery plan to follow, and implementation targeted from March/April. The committee acknowledged the urgency for cohesion while balancing the need for thorough work.

Work Plan

The committee noted its work plan for the remainder of the year. The next meeting is scheduled for 4 December 2024, with subsequent meetings on 15 January 2025, 19 February 2025, and a final report review on 9 April 2025. The dates for these meetings remain unchanged.