Link Centre integral part of the system, says Education

THE Link Centre is an integral part of the education system, the Education Department has said.

A report, released by the department last week in response to the Mulkerrin recommendations, contained a section in which it defended the under-fire centre - teachers had described the facility as a babysitting service.

Despite concerns over the number of staff, its running costs and poor communication between the centre and schools, the department said it played an important role in supporting young people with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.

'The department is aware that as an island we suffer from diseconomies of scale, but maintains that the concept of an on-island alternative provision represents value for money,' it said.

'The annual running costs of £1.3m. would only pay for a small number of off-island placements which would be required if such a resource is not available in Guernsey.'