HC Deb 03 March 1993 vol 220 cc147-8W
Mr. Win Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make a statement itemising the main details and purpose of each scheme he is funding under the grants for education support and training programme 1993–94 to deal with truancy; and if he will provide the same information for schemes whose proposals were presented to him which have not been funded.

Mr. Forth

Proposals submitted by local education authorities (LEAs) under the reducing truancy programme of the grants for education support and training (GEST) scheme 1993–94 took a variety of forms. Bidding was competitive, with priority being given to those LEAs where the problems were most severe. Individual bids were assessed according to the extent to which they:

Children for whom statements of special education needs were made for the first time in LEAs in England 1987 to 1991
Calendar year
Local education authority 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991
ILEA 968 1,103 1490 1,368 n/a
City 2
Camden 171
Greenwich 161

  • clearly identified the scale of need at the schools designated;
  • demonstrated an innovative and well thought out strategy for tackling truancy/unauthorised absence;
  • provided a clear statement of objectives, together with performance indicators against which the effectiveness of provision could be measured;
  • made appropriate use of the experience and expertise of the Education Welfare Service; and
  • were based on, and furthered, good practice.

On that basis, projects to a total value of £9.6 million were approved in 74 LEAs. Eight projects were rejected.