Agenda item

To consider the latest trends, priorities and pressures in terms of departmental performance as reported in the Quarterly Service Report for the first quarter of 2018/19 (April to June) relating to Children, Young People and Learning.

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

Nikki Edwards, Executive Director, People, informed members it had been an interesting last quarter as a directorate leading up to the creation of the People’s directorate.

Highlights included the opening of a new school in the Borough, an additional 10 beds available for care leavers; increased learning opportunities for adults and an advocacy service for young people.

Current priorities included recruitment of social workers. There were currently 11 vacancies in the department which would have been higher if additional investment had not been approved by members during the year. Sonia Johnson, Interim Assistant Director, Children’s Social Work, informed members they were almost fully staffed at the ‘front door’ and there were no vacancies in the family worker and social work teams. There were two vacancies which would shortly be filled in the Under 11’s safeguarding team.  There was more reliance on agency staff in the Over 11’s safeguarding team but some agency staff were requesting full time contracts. There were some early signs of outcomes improving for families accessing Early Help and this was expected to improve significantly before the next meeting in January.

Rachel Morgan, Assistant Director, Education and Learning, stated the Learning and Improvement Strategy was showing signs of impact but some Academy schools were not accepting the Borough’s most challenging children and this was an issue the Council would take up with the Regional School’s Commissioner, with whom they have a good relationship.

An external review of place planning had been commissioned to review local methodology and a report was expected within the next three/four weeks. Until this year place planning accuracy had been within 1% but the number of houses which had not come on stream as quickly as predicted had impacted forecasts, particularly for the number of primary school places required. Gareth Barnard, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Learning, said they had been able to add classes to existing primary schools in the past but this was not always possible with secondary school places and there would always be a tipping point where there were surplus secondary school places until additional houses were built over the next four/five years.

As a result of discussion the following questions and comments were made:

·         Members queried why 3.1.03 on page 52 was ‘amber’ when 3.1.03 on page 48 stated a new maintained nursery would be delivered from September. Nikki Edwards, Executive Director, People, clarified that the ‘amber’ status related to finding appropriate community facilities to allow PVI providers to provide the flexible 30 hours childcare requirement. Officers were working with schools, businesses and community groups to discuss options. It was agreed Karen Frost, Head of Early Intervention, Early Help and Communities would provide an update to members on this area of work before the next meeting.

·         Members requested a visit to Holly House and Rainforest Walk once improvements had been carried out.

·         Members queried why 150 young carers had not been through the targeted approach and if this was a resource issue. Sonia Johnson, Interim Assistant Director, Children’s Social Work, assured officers all young carers requiring targeted services were receiving them and that some young carers either did not want targeted support or were using mainstream activities to meet their needs. Gareth Barnard, Executive Member, Children, Young People and Learning, stated there was an opportunity for a broader approach to young carers needs now the People’s Directorate was in place. Members discussed national data which suggested approximately 60,000 young carers were present in this area but that some young carers may not wish to be identified and the Council’s role was to provide support when they needed it. It was noted Easthampstead Park Community School had recently won an award for a project which had helped identify young carers. It was agreed Karen Frost, Head of Early Intervention, Early Help and Communities, would provide a briefing to members on the work with young carers and plans for the future.

·         Members queried the current figure of 0.7% in Ni062 on page 59 as it seemed low compared to the previous figure. Nikki Edwards, Executive Director, People, agreed to check it and send a response to members prior to the next meeting. It was agreed members should review this figure again at the January meeting.

·         On page 56 members asked why L327 had decreased and were informed the figure related to young people with disabilities struggling to engage with apprenticeships. Members said they were interested in this issue as they had not looked at it before as a group and asked the Governance & Scrutiny Co-ordinator to add to the workplan for 2019/20.

·         Members queried L301 on page 61, which indicated less Education, Health and Care Plans had been issued within 20 weeks. Rachel Morgan, Assistant Director, Education and Learning, to ask Frank Glennon, Head of SEN, for clarification on this item and would send to members before the next meeting.

·         On page 69 members asked why there was a £0.039m underspend on SEN support services and were informed it related to an early assessment pilot which was trialled in Owlsmoor School. The school had capacity to assess five children at a time to see whether they were able to remain in mainstream schooling; required catch up interventions or a referral to Kennel Lane was in the best interest of the child.

Actions:

·         Nikki Edwards, Executive Director, People, to organise a visit for CYPL O&S members to Holly House/Rainforest Walk.

·         Karen Frost, Head of Early Intervention, Early Help and Communities to provide an update to members on sourcing facilities to support the 30 hour flexible childcare offer.

·         Karen Frost, Head of Early Intervention, Early Help and Communities, would provide a briefing to members on the work with young carers and plans for the future.

·         Nikki Edwards, Executive Director, People, agreed to check N1062 on page 59 of QSRs and send a response to members prior to the next meeting clarifying the low current figure of 0.7%.

·         Governance & Scrutiny Co-ordinator to add apprenticeships (especially for children with a disability) to workplan 2019/20.

·         Rachel Morgan, Assistant Director, Education and Learning, to ask Frank Glennon, Head of SEN, for clarification on item L301 and send to members before the next meeting.