Comment : EASI does it
Sheila Sturgeon is the admission and exclusion appeals clerk for Oxfordshire and co-ordinator of the EASI group. Sheila was the keynote speaker at the Council on Tribunals' EASI workshop for London boroughs earlier this month. Here she talks to Adjust about the EASI group and explains the benefits of getting involved.
Sheila has been co-ordinator of the original Education Appeals Support Initiative (EASI) group for six years. Twenty LEAs belong to the group that meets twice a year. One of five separate groups across the country, it is clear that many more appeals clerks are now benefiting from membership of the EASI network.
The group provides a forum for appeals clerks to come together and share information and knowledge. As well as practical support and advice, the group also provides its members with much-needed moral support.
Sheila says, "Being an appeals clerk can be a very isolated job, so being part of an EASI group is a real lifeline for many clerks."
Sheila's enthusiasm for her job and for the EASI network is infectious. Speaking at the Council's EASI workshop for London boroughs on 4 October, her endorsement of the benefits of EASI was key in convincing the delegates of the merits of an EASI group for London.
What does the EASI group do?
The EASI group meets for a full day twice a year. For the morning session guest speakers are invited to come along to address the group. Past guest speakers have included members of the Council on Tribunals; policy officials from DfES; the Judicial Studies Board; the Local Government Ombudsman; the Disability Rights Commission; and the Commission for Racial Equality.
The afternoon session is usually dedicated to discussion among the members of the various issues and difficulties they have encountered and to talking about complex appeals situations that have arisen and how they have dealt with them.
In addition to its meetings, the group has conducted reviews and made recommendations for improving the parents' guide to admission and exclusion appeals; the recruitment of panel members; training for clerks and panels; decision letters; and de-selection of panel members.
The group also held a joint workshop with the Southern Counties Group last year on infant class size appeals, with the aim of gaining a common understanding of the complex issues that arise in these cases.
Events currently in the pipeline include the development of bespoke training for panel chairs. A workshop on co-ordinated admission arrangements is also planned for November and a working group is meeting with the Council on Tribunals to explore ways of increasing diversity in panel membership.
How does EASI add value?
The benefits of being part of an EASI group are best expressed by the members themselves.
"It's a source for information and for clarifying points and correcting errors."
"I find it helpful to share information and experiences, especially being a small unitary authority that has relatively few appeals. It's also useful to find out about different practices."
"Being a member of EASI means being in the loop for information and being able to share experiences - good and bad. As clerks we are in a very stressful and difficult situation. It's good to be able meet up with people going through the same things and not be alone."
"It's a group of people available on a daily basis to help with problems, concerns and issues as it is likely that someone will have experience of something similar, or know someone who has, and as a helpline in times of trouble."
"It enables quicker dissemination of essential new information, i.e. case law, reports, etc."
Sheila concludes, "The best part of my job is the people side, working with schools and parents. I know that by the time I have become involved parents in particular are under a great deal of stress but, by doing a good job, no matter how busy I am, and ensuring that everyone gets a fair hearing, I'm really helping - and that's what makes my job so rewarding. I am fortunate that my senior managers are very supportive of my role; however, this is not the experience of every appeals clerk."
If you want to know more about EASI or about getting involved in your local group or setting one up, Sheila would be happy to offer advice. She can be contacted on 01865 810180, or by email at: sheila.sturgeon¶@¶oxfordshire.gov.uk.
(October 2005)
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