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Follow through report recognises improvements

A follow through report has been published on Aberdeen’s Pupil Support Service following a visit from HM Inspectorate of Education (HMIE).

Inspectors first visited the service in May 2010 and produced a report which indicated that they would visit the service again to see how it had continued to improve its work.

During their return visit recently the inspectors talked to young people and staff in the Support Service and from the individual child’s school. They met with staff from the City Council’s education service and worked closely with the interim depute headteacher.

The inspectors looked at particular areas that had been identified at their first visit and also areas where the service was continuing to improve.

The education authority has supported the service in appointing interim managers to work effectively together with a quality improvement officer to offer strong leadership. They have ensured high morale and promoted the work of staff in further improving the service and are supporting the service with an action planning group.

Inspectors found the interim depute headteacher has led improvements well and his contribution is strongly valued by staff and partners and that the service is well placed to continue to improve.

They also found that children at the primary stages are making progress with their social and emotional wellbeing and are well supported by the service.

At the secondary stages, a few young people are improving their behaviour and attendance and are behaving more positively in school, and feel that they are making positive progress with their mental, social and emotional wellbeing. They are making good progress with their coursework and improving their skills for life through activities such as cooking.

More young people are gaining awards in more subjects with the support of the service. Some young people do not always engage with the service and have a low level of attendance. A few young people are not making progress but this was because they are not attending regularly.

It was also noted that a wide range of projects have been developed by staff so the curriculum is in line with Curriculum for Excellence.

Staff are developing ways to support and challenge colleagues in school to meet the needs of young people with challenging and difficult behaviour. They are taking responsibility for aspects of health and wellbeing and this is having a positive impact on children and young people’s learning and behaviour. The service is continuing to improve partnership working with schools and other partners such as educational psychologists.

Schools and other partners value the support from the service for many young people with additional support needs arising from social and emotional factors.

Staff in the service now offer support to children and young people across the city of Aberdeen and they are positive about the developing quality of their work and are keen to improve further their service to children and young people, parents and carers and schools.

Aberdeen City Council’s Director of Education, Culture and Sport Annette Bruton said: “We welcome this follow through report and are delighted that the HM Inspectors are satisfied with the good progress being made in many areas of the work of the service.

“We are confident that with our continued support and commitment that the Pupil Support Service will continue to improve.”

The inspectors will continue to engage with the service, the local authority and partners and a further report will be provided to parents.

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