Nottinghamshire Local Authority (LA) is committed to ensuring that all children and young people of compulsory school age are provided with suitable and sufficient education at school or otherwise than at school. The duty of Nottinghamshire County Council as a Local Authority is laid down in Section 19(1) of the Education Act 1996 (as amended):
‘Each local (education) authority shall make arrangements for the provision of suitable education at school, or otherwise than at school, for those children of compulsory school age who, by reason of illness, exclusion from school or otherwise, may not for any period receive suitable education unless such arrangements are made for them. Suitable education is defined as "efficient education suitable to the age, ability, aptitude and to any special educational needs", the child (or young person) may have. This can include provision for excluded pupils, young carers, school-phobic children, school-aged mothers and pupils who are unable to attend school because of medical reasons.’
In Nottinghamshire the responsibility for providing education other than at school falls to a range of Services in the Children, Families and Cultural Services Department:
The Learning Centre provides educational provision for children and young people of compulsory school age who:
- require full-time education due to permanent exclusion
- are at risk of exclusion or who require support for re-integration to mainstream or other identified provision.
- for more information contact Geoff Read, Head Teacher on 0115 967 5002 or email geoffread@tlc.notts.sch.uk
The Access and Admissions Team provides educational provision for children and young people of compulsory school age who:
- are without a school place
- for more information contact Scott Hollingsworth, Strategy Co-ordinator on 0115 977 4274 or email scott.hollingsworth@nottscc.gov.uk
The Physical Disability Support Service provides educational provision for children and young people of compulsory school age who:
- are admitted for medical treatment at Kings Mill and Bassetlaw Hospitals
- require home education for reasons of
- long term illness or convalescence
- anxiety related difficulties
- pregnancy and school girl mothers
- for more information contact Mark Dengel, Head of Service on 01623 792671or email m.dengel@fountaindale.notts.sch.uk
The Virtual School provides educational provision for children and young people of compulsory school age who:
- are looked after children with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (BESD), without a school place, at risk of exclusion or new to the county
- for more information contact Sue Denholm, Virtual School Co-ordinator on 01623 434149 or email susan.denholm@nottscc.gov.uk
The SEND Policy and Provision Team provides educational provision for children and young people of compulsory school age who:
- need long term provision due to their complex BESDs and who will usually have a statement of special educational needs
- for more information contact Chris C Harrison, Head of Service on 0115 977 3842 or email chris.c.harrison@nottscc.gov.uk
