Issue - meetings

To consider the latest trends, priorities and pressures in terms of departmental performance as reported in the Quarterly Service Report for the second quarter of 2019/20 (July to September) relating to Children, Young People and Learning. An update of the key issues relating to the second quarter will be provided.

Panel members are asked to give advance notice to the Governance and Scrutiny Team of any questions relating to the Quarterly Service Report where possible.

Members noted Quarter 3 data was not due to be circulated until later in the month so a verbal update was given by Sonia Johnson and Rachel Morgan.

Sonia Johnson reported a rise in the number of children looked after by the local authority. It was acknowledged it was hard to anticipate need so this performance indicator was high compared to the target set locally but still below national. The team anticipated a further rise against this performance indicator in the future.

It was reported the average number of case-loads per social worker was 15.9, an increase in Quarter 2 from 14.9 and higher than the Council’s aim of 13. However, vacancy rates were still low – currently at seven with three staff currently in the process of being recruited. Some agency staff had converted to permanent contracts which provided continuity for children. However, the Children’s Trusts in Slough and Reading had come out of the south east agreement. The agreement included a cap on pay for agency staff and not taking a permanent member of staff at another south east authority on as agency staff. The situation was being closely monitored. Members agreed it was really important to remain child focused; continue to keep caseloads low; keep the department well-resourced and attract newly qualified social workers and students.

Members asked how many children and young people the Council looked after currently and were informed there were 53 children categorised as a child looked after and 64 identified as a child in need. Members asked if the data could be broken down into wards for further analysis. Sonia Johnson agreed to bring this back to a future Panel meeting.

Rachel Morgan informed members 43 out of 48 EHCPs were issued within the 20 week timeframe. Five were issued outside of the 20 week timeframe due to three waiting for a placement and one waiting for professional assessment outside the Borough. One had been delayed due to the need to talk to the parents who had been on holiday. It was noted in Bracknell Forest Council’s Ofsted they were one of the few authorities to do well on this indicator.

Members were informed the performance indicator for children completing apprenticeships required changing as the current target was five per quarter and this had proved challenging. ‘Elevate Me Bracknell’ worked well with young people not in education, employment or training (NEETS) but apprenticeships had proven way too demanding for some young people. To assist young people Elevate Me had looked at securing other elements of training, further employment, and making sure the apprenticeship was right for the young person. Members asked if apprenticeships were being offered to higher achieving children also and were informed they were but it was not tracked as the target focused on NEETS, hence the need to track all apprenticeships through service plans but have a particular focus on NEETS.

Rachel Morgan informed members the percentage of schools rated by Ofsted as Good or Outstanding was improving which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36