Public Bill Committee: 30 June 2015                     

8

Education and Adoption Bill, continued

Kevin Brennan

Steve McCabe

Graham Jones

22

Clause  2,  page  3,  line  10,  at end insert—

“(7A)    

In section 62 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, for subsection

(2) substitute—

“(2)    

The circumstances are that—

(a)    

in the opinion of the authority—

(i)    

the standards of performance or progress of pupils at the

school are unacceptably low, and are likely to remain so;

or

(ii)    

there has been a serious breakdown in the way the school

is managed or governed which is prejudicing, or likely

to prejudice, such standards of performance; or

(iii)    

the safety of pupils or staff of the school is threatened

(whether by a breakdown of discipline or otherwise).

(b)    

for the purpose of subsection (2)(a)(i), the standards of

performance or progress of pupils at a school are low if they are

low by reference to any one or more of the following—

(i)    

the standards that the pupils might in all the

circumstances reasonably be expected to attain,

(ii)    

where relevant, the standards previously attained by

them, or

(iii)    

the standards attained by pupils at comparable schools,

(c)    

the governing body have been informed in writing of the

authority’s opinion.””

Member’s explanatory statement

Section 62 under the School Standards and Framework Act gives a local authority power to take

immediate action against a maintained school when there was a serious risk to pupils at the school.

This amendment is aimed at probing the likely use of section 62 powers in the light of Clause 2.

Kevin Brennan

Steve McCabe

Graham Jones

23

Clause  3,  page  3,  leave out lines 33 and 34

Member’s explanatory statement

This amendment removes the requirement that the Secretary of State be informed about a local

authority use of a section 60A warning notice.

Public Bill Committee: 30 June 2015                     

9

Education and Adoption Bill, continued

Steve McCabe

Kevin Brennan

Graham Jones

Bill Esterson

NC1

To move the following Clause—

“3ZB England – reports to be commissioned and guidance to be reviewed by

the Secretary of State

(1)    

Before giving a direction under section 3ZA(1) the Secretary of State shall

commission and publish a report on the fitness of the authorities and agencies that

he proposes should carry out the functions on the matters set out at subsection (2).

(2)    

Matters that are to be the subject of the report at subsection (1)—

(a)    

the nature and adequacy of the support the authorities and agencies  will

provide for those leaving care for adoption up to age 25, for their  

education and for their adult employment;

(b)    

the arrangements for carrying out mental health assessments for  those

children leaving care for adoption and the support services for  adopted

children with mental health needs; and

(c)    

the extent to which he is satisfied that the authorities and agencies  have

adequate resources and skills to implement and follow the  statutory

guidance for the identification and matching of children  with potential

adopters.”

Member’s explanatory statement

This new clause would require the Secretary of State to review the fitness of the services to be

provided under the new arrangements before a direction is given, in particular the adequacy of the

support to be provided for children leaving care for adoption, their education, their employment

and, where needs are identified, their mental health.

Order of the House [22 JUNE 2015]

That the following provisions shall apply to the Education and Adoption Bill:

Committal

1.    

The Bill shall be committed to a Public Bill Committee.

Proceedings in Public Bill Committee

2.    

Proceedings in the Public Bill Committee shall (so far as not previously

concluded) be brought to a conclusion on Tuesday 14 July 2015.

3.    

The Public Bill Committee shall have leave to sit twice on the first day on

which it meets.

Consideration and Third Reading

4.    

Proceedings on Consideration shall (so far as not previously concluded) be

brought to a conclusion one hour before the moment of interruption on the

day on which those proceedings are commenced.

5.    

Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be

brought to a conclusion at the moment of interruption on that day.

6.    

Standing Order No. 83B (Programming committees) shall not apply to

proceedings on Consideration and Third Reading.

Public Bill Committee: 30 June 2015                     

10

Education and Adoption Bill, continued

Other proceedings

7.    

Any other proceedings on the Bill (including any proceedings on

consideration of Lords Amendments or on any further messages from the

Lords) may be programmed.