To consider the latest trends, priorities and pressures in terms of departmental performance as reported in the QSR for the fourth quarter of 2014/15 (January to March 2015) relating to Children, Young People and Learning, giving particular attention to outcomes of Ofsted school inspections, headteacher recruitment, recruitment and retention of children's social workers, and Members’ input and responsibilities.
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.
Minutes:
The Panel considered the latest trends, priorities and pressures in terms of departmental performance as reported in the Quarterly Service Report (QSR) for the fourth quarter of 2014/15 (January to March 2015) relating to Children Young People and Learning. The QSR began by reflecting on a busy year with many successful achievements and, focusing on Quarter 4, set out some the main events and statistical highlights for each of the three branches of the department.
The Panel took particular note of the following:
· There had been no Ofsted inspection of the Local Authority since October 2011 (although Local Government Association and peer reviews had been carried out). The next review was due to take place before October 2015.
· The outcomes for Ofsted inspections in schools had generally continued on an upward trajectory. From the detailed note circulated at the meeting it was pleasing to see that Ranelagh School had retained its outstanding outcome, while Wildmoor Heath and Sandy Lane had both made positive progress. Reports on inspections at St Michael’s Sandhurst and Harmans Water were imminent.
· Headteacher recruitment for April/September 2015 had been very successful with nine appointments made and just two vacancies remaining to be filled. A note containing details of all teacher recruitment was circulated, which confirmed that Bracknell Forest was an attractive place to live and work, with good fields of strong applicants for most positions.
· A campaign to recruit more foster carers had been launched – the target was to find at least 10 new foster carers.
· There was a substantial ongoing workload to convert all Special Educational Needs (SEN) statements to Education, Health and Care Plans by April 2018 to comply with statutory requirements, making a significant demand on capacity.
· Performance on NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) prevention was strong, with the February 2015 figure of 3.77% (132) down from 4.2% (144) in the previous year.
· The Chief Officer: Children's Social Care summarised the work of the four divisions (each with its own Head of Service) comprising the Children’s Social Care Branch.
· Given the national shortage of qualified and experienced social workers, recruitment and retention of staff was a real issue for Bracknell Forest. A Programme Board had been established to develop proposals to recruit and retain, market premium payments had been put in place, most management posts were now held by permanent staff and good succession processes had been established. This had helped stabilise the situation and reduce the number of vacancies but more work remained to be done.
· The number of Looked After Children had reduced from 114 to 104, with Bracknell Forest figures lower than the average for the South East and much lower than the national average. A table illustrated the breakdown of the placements for the children, showing the majority in foster care or agency foster care. Further tables gave a résumé of the wards from which the Looked After Children originated and details of where care had been provided by one or more social workers.
· The Education Welfare Service had successfully negotiated a contract to provide services to schools in Hampshire but this would not affect its ability to serve Bracknell Forest needs.
· A new policy and procedures for Elective Home Education was being trialled over the summer term, with a view to introducing a final version for the new academic year. With 60 children in the Borough now educated in this way, the Panel requested that further information about this be provided at a future meeting.
· It appeared that unauthorised absences of pupils from school on account of holidays had declined.
The Panel received responses to their questions and comments and thanked the officers for their interesting reports and presentations.