Education Counsellors Supporting Pupils in Education Information

C McEwan made this Freedom of Information request to West Berkshire Council

The request was successful.

From: C McEwan

5 June 2009

Dear Sir or Madam,

1. Does your Local Authority presently employ Education
Counsellors* (rather than ‘buying in’ such a service from an
external provider)?

2. If the answer to Question 1 is ‘yes’, please state for each
Education Counsellor employed by the Local Authority:

• Whether they have been deemed to be eligible to join the Teachers
Pension Scheme and

• The date when they joined the Teachers Pension Scheme

• Whether they are employed on Teachers Terms and Conditions of
Employment

3. If your Local Authority does not presently employ Education
Counsellors have they done so in the past?

4. If the answer to Question 3 is ‘yes’, please state for each
School Counsellor employed by the Local Authority since 31 March
2004:

• Whether they were deemed to be eligible to join the Teachers
Pension Scheme and

• When they joined the Teachers Pension Scheme

* Education Counsellors meaning those employed to support pupils in
education

Yours faithfully,

C McEwan

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From: Sue Broughton
West Berkshire Council

5 June 2009

I am away on the afternoon of Friday 5th June and on Monday and Tuesday
following. Emails will be monitored, and I will respond on my return. For
urgent matters please refer to David Lowe [email address]

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From: Sue Broughton
West Berkshire Council

8 June 2009

Fol/2009/203

Thank you for your request. You should receive a reply within 20
working days.

Jeanette Grove on behalf of Sue Broughton
Support Services Officer
Policy & Communication
* West Berkshire Council, Council Offices, Market Street, Newbury RG14
5LD
Email: [email address]
01635 519561 (external) ' 2561 (internal) 6: 01635 519613

P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail

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From: Sue Broughton
West Berkshire Council

10 June 2009

FoI/2009/203

Dear Mr McEwan,
Having discussed your request with the Education Service we would
appreciate some clarification as to what you define as an 'Education
Counsellor'. The term is not used as a job title in this authority but
there are a range of support services for schools provided by teaching
staff or council officers.

The authority has an Education Welfare Service to promote school
attendance and reduce exclusions. More information on this service can be
found here:
[1]http://www.westberks.gov.uk/index.aspx?a...

We provide a Pre-School Teacher Counsellor Service for children 0-5 with
special educational needs. More information on this service can be found
here:
[2]http://www.westberks.gov.uk/index.aspx?a...

We have a Behaviour Support Team which advises schools on support around
social, emotional and behavioural issues. More information on this service
can be found here:
[3]http://www.westberks.gov.uk/index.aspx?a...

We have an ASD Team which works with mainstream schools to support
children with autism. More information on this service can be found here:
[4]http://www.westberks.gov.uk/index.aspx?a...

We have a Special Needs Support Team which supports children with learning
difficulties within schools. More information on this service is available
here:
[5]http://www.westberks.gov.uk/index.aspx?a...

We have a Special Schools Consultancy Service. More information on this
service is available here:
[6]http://www.westberks.gov.uk/index.aspx?a...

We have Designated Teachers in each school who provide assistance for
looked after children who are pupils at the school. More information on
this service can be found here:
[7]http://www.westberks.gov.uk/index.aspx?a...

We also have Family Support Workers who work within schools with families
to deal with short term or long term problems, and who are part of the
Family Resource Service.
[8]http://www.westberks.gov.uk/index.aspx?a...
They may also work with members of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Team.
[9]http://www.westberks.gov.uk/index.aspx?a...

We have two Language and Literacy Centres supporting children with
specific literacy problems. More information on this service is available
here:
[10]http://www.westberks.gov.uk/index.aspx?a...

There is also a Sensory Consortium Service which is run as a joint
arrangement between the six unitaries for the benefit of children between
0-19 in the West Berkshire, Reading, Bracknell, Wokingham, Slough and
Windsor and Maidenhead areas.
[11]http://www.westberks.gov.uk/index.aspx?a...

There is a range of other services which probably fall outside your
definition - these can be found here:
[12]http://www.westberks.gov.uk/index.aspx?a...
[13]http://www.westberks.gov.uk/index.aspx?a...

Your definition of Education Counsellors "meaning those employed to
support pupils in education" does not really clarify which, if any of
these roles you would consider to apply to your request. Can you clarify
what role you would consider 'Education Counsellors' would fulfil - and
whether any of the roles above fits with this definition.

In respect of eligibility for teachers pensions, information on our Human
Resources website gives the benefits and conditions for schools staff:
[14]http://www.westberks.gov.uk/index.aspx?a...
and Council staff:
[15]http://www.westberks.gov.uk/index.aspx?a...

Yours sincerely

Sue Broughton
Information Management Officer
Policy & Communication
Council Offices
Market Street
Newbury
Berkshire RG14 5LD

Tel: 01635 519747
Email: [16][West Berkshire Council request email]

You should be aware that all emails received and sent by this Council are
subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and therefore may be
disclosed to a third party.

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From: Sue Broughton
West Berkshire Council

10 July 2009

FoI/2009/203

Dear Mr McEwan,

I have to date received no further clarification from you regarding your
request (see email below). Please note that if I receive no clarification
which enables me to progress your request I will consider the request void
three months after receipt.

Yours sincerely

Sue Broughton
Information Management Officer
Policy & Communication
Council Offices
Market Street
Newbury
Berkshire RG14 5LD

Tel: 01635 519747
Email: [1][West Berkshire Council request email]

You should be aware that all emails received and sent by this Council are
subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and therefore may be
disclosed to a third party.

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