Report by:
Karen Donnelly – Chief Solicitor & Monitoring Officer, Executive Officer – Legal & Regulatory Services
TN Number:
042-24
Wednesday, 13 March, 2024
Subject:
Scottish Government Consultation – Placing Request Appeals
Responsible Officer:
Martin Cunningham, Corporate Governance Manager/ Caroline Magowan, Team Leader Litigation & Licensing
Publication:
This Technical Note will be published on the Council’s website following circulation to Members. Its contents may be disclosed or shared outwith the Council.
Details:
- The purpose of this note is to advise Members of a response to a Scottish Government consultation regarding the conduct of Placing Request Appeals Hearings, which was submitted on behalf of the Council.
- The questions in the consultation referred to the practical administration of Appeals Hearings, particularly in relation to remote/virtual hearings. These were introduced in response to COVID and have worked well for the Council. Evidence and experience shows that virtual hearings have increased attendance by parents/carers and/or their representatives. Virtual hearings also work well with the grouped approach to hearings that this Council takes (ie where all appeals for the same school/year group in a school are heard collectively). In light of this, the response advocates for retaining virtual hearings.
- The consultation had a very tight turn around time and the deadline for responses was 12 March 2024. The attached response was submitted on time, reflecting informed contributions from officers in Education and Legal & Regulatory Services all of whom contribute to the effective management and administration of the Council’s Education Appeals process.