Agenda item

To consider the latest trends, priorities and pressures in terms of departmental performance as reported in the QSR for the first quarter of 2014/15 (April to June 2014) relating to Children, Young People and Learning, giving particular attention to outcomes of Ofsted school inspections, Family Focus and school place allocations.

Please bring the previously circulated QSR to the meeting.  Copies are available on request and attached to this agenda if viewed online.

Panel members are asked to give advance notice to the Overview and Scrutiny Team of any questions relating to the QSR where possible.

The Panel received the Quarterly Service Report (QSR) for the first quarter of 2014/15 (April to June 2014) together with a series of presentations on aspects of the service.

Janette Karklins, Director of Children, Young People & Learning, gave a presentation detailing the major achievements during the first quarter and the ongoing work to continue development.

Karen Frost, Head of Prevention and Early Intervention, gave a presentation on support for "Troubled Families".

Following questions from the Panel, the meeting was advised that:

·                     The initiative was still being funded on the basis of outcomes.

·                     To date 57 out of 115 families (50%) had been turned around and that monitoring would continue to try to ensure that previous problems did not reoccur.

·                     Mental health was a significant factor in many troubled families and was a focus for the Family Intervention Team.

·                     The Team comprised approximately 8 full time equivalent staff and had been formed by bringing together officers from different Council services.

The Director gave a presentation on the allocation of school places and reported that the Borough used to operate with approximately 15% surplus school places. This had subsequently reduced to between 5 and 10% and was currently running at 3% despite the significant number of additional places created in recent years.

Following questions from the Panel, the meeting was advised that:

·                     The number of children moving out of the borough each year did not offset the large numbers moving in.

·                     Although there were detailed projections of future pupil numbers which took into account, amongst other things, birth rates and new housing developments, it was impossible to predict the number of school age children moving into the borough during the school year.

·                     Neighbouring boroughs were facing the same pressures on school places.

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Christine McInnes, Chief Officer: Learning & Achievement reported that, during the first quarter, two schools had been inspected by Ofsted. New Scotland Hill had been rated good and Easthampstead Park had been rated as requiring improvement. There had also been an HMI monitoring visit to The Brakenhale School.

Some Members voiced concerns about Ofsted inspecting Easthampstead Park less than two years after the previous inspection and, prior to the publication of examination results which would have demonstrated significant improvement in performance in recent years. The Director reported that the Local Authority shared these concerns and had supported the Headteacher in making a formal complaint. The response was awaited. However it was important to note that, although the school continued to be rated as requiring improvement it was an improving school and its direction of travel was towards a good rating.

The Panel was also informed of the headline data for Early Years and Foundation, Key Stage 1 and 2. The results had not yet been validated and a detailed report would be submitted to a future meeting.

In response to questions on the QSR, the meeting was informed that:

·                     The Local Authority would continue to prosecute in respect of pupils' non-attendance at schools as results will not improve if pupils do not attend. Whilst  the fine might be less than the savings made by taking a family holiday in term time, the amount of each fine was a matter for the magistrate.

·                     The Council had a multi-agency operations group which monitored any suspicion of CSE. The Executive had already been briefed, post Rotherham, on the action being taken to raise awareness of CSE and an all Members briefing was being arranged.