Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Cllr Peter Davis and Mrs Di Dale. 

Mr Rob Rees, Assistant Principal of Wiltshire College, attended on behalf of Mrs Di Dale.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the Childrens’ Services Select Committee held on 22 July 2010.

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 July 2010 were approved and signed as a correct record.

To receive any declarations of personal or prejudicial interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

Mr Neil Owen declared a personal interest in Item 8 – Laverstock Schools Update, as a governor at St Edmunds School, Laverstock.

1)                 Scrutiny of Budget & Performance

On 16 September, the Organisation and Resources Select Committee agreed to disband the Budget & Performance Task Group leaving each select committee to decide the best approach to scrutinising budget and performance issues within their individual areas.

It was agreed that all future agendas would include a standing item providing an update on DCE’s budget and performance status. Budget and performance monitoring reports to Cabinet would be circulated in hard copy to all members of the Committee when published. Members were asked to submit any specific questions on these reports in advance of the Committee meeting wherever possible.

Resolved that:

1)                 Committee members would receive budget and performance monitoring reports in line with the Cabinet cycle, allowing them to submit individual queries or request full reports to Committee through the Chairman and scrutiny officer as necessary.

2)                 The Committee would establish rapid scrutiny exercises as necessary to undertake detailed scrutiny of budget and performance data.

2)         Appointment of a Committee representative to attend the Children & Young People’s Trust Board.

The Committee representative previously appointed to the Trust Board, Cllr Jon Hubbard, had been unable to attend the meetings due to work commitments.  A new representative was therefore required. 

Cllr Helen Osborn was appointed as the Committee’s new representative with Cllr Mary Douglas acting as substitute when required.

3)         Visit to the new Melksham Oak School

            Any members of the Committee interested in attending this visit were asked to contact the Senior Scrutiny Officer.

            Cllr Andrew Davis and Mr Neil Owen expressed their interest.

The Council welcomes contributions from members of the public.

If you would like to make a statement at this meeting on any item on this agenda, please register to do so at least 10 minutes prior to the meeting.  Up to 3 speakers are permitted to speak for up to 3 minutes each on any agenda item.  The Chairman will, however, exercise her discretion in order to ensure that members of the public have the opportunity to contribute.

Members of the public wishing to ask a question should give written notice (including details of any question) to the officer named above by 12:00 noon on Tuesday 21 September 2010.

There was no public participation.

In June, Members requested that a standing item be included on the work programme to receive updates on the Coalition Government’s proposals for children’s services and education.

Members are asked to note the update.

The Corporate Director, DCE, presented a report providing details of the coalition government’s latest proposals in relation to children’s services and education. 

In addition to the report, a further ‘call for views’ document was circulated providing details of the Department for Education’s (DfE) Green Paper: Children and Young People With Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

A proposal was made that members of the SEN Review rapid scrutiny exercise, plus the Vice-Chairman, undertake a rapid scrutiny exercise to respond to the Green Paper.

The following points were discussed:

a)     In response to the reduction in Area Based Grants, the Council was considering numerous contracts held with both the voluntary sector and within the Council on services offered as part of the Commissioning Strategy for Parenting & Family Support. The Strategy, which was still in draft form, would be presented to the Committee for consideration.

b)     Hardenhuish School, Chippenham was the only Wiltshire school so far to be given academy status under the new academies programme.  A positive working relationship remained between the school and the local authority during the transition period.  Further schools within Wiltshire had expressed their interest in becoming academies.  There would be further announcements in January 2011.

c)      A school’s transition to academy status placed temporary additional strain on Council resources. Once the transition was complete administrative costs might potentially reduce because academies would take responsibility for some services currently provided by the local authority.  However the local authority would also lose the funding to provide these services.

d)     The Sarum Academy in Salisbury had its opening ceremony on 22 September 2010.  The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services was due to meet with John Glen, MP for Salisbury, and would be encouraging him to visit the Salisbury High School buildings to gain an understanding of what the Council would like to achieve with a new build for Sarum Academy. 

e)     The Secretary of Stated had asked Professor Alison Wolf to undertake a review of vocational education for 14-19 year olds.  It was understood that her report would be completed by 2011 and members would be kept informed of its findings.

f)       The Council had not been badly affected by the reduction of the End Year Flexibility (EYF) funding from DfE, although clarification was provided that the Harnessing Technology Grant was expected to cease following receipt of the Quarter 2 payment to schools.

g)     The deprivation indicator used to calculate the pupil premium was now likely to include military families, a large number of which live in Wiltshire.

h)     A written briefing would be provided to the Committee on the implications of the Early Years Single Funding Formula (EYSFF), which all local authorities would be required to introduce from April 2011.

a)     Cllr Mary Douglas expressed concern that the Committee had not received the new Family & Parenting Support Commissioning Strategy, which it had requested at its previous meeting. It was reported that, following discussion with the Chairman, the Placements for LAC Task Group had received  ...  view the full minutes text for item 107.

In March, the Committee considered a report which provided details on the transition of responsibility for 16-19 learning from LSC to the Local Authority from 1 April 2010.

The Committee is now asked to consider the update provided and to comment as appropriate.

In March, the Committee received a report on the transition of responsibility for 16-19 learning from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to the Local Authority from 1 April 2010.

The Head of Secondary and Special School Improvement presented an update report providing details of the progress made by the Council since taking on its new responsibilities.

It was clarified that the coalition government had amended the responsibilities discussed in March.  The Young People’s Learning Agency (YPLA) was now responsible for making financial payments to General Further Education providers, Sixth Form Colleges and other training providers, though the local authority remained the body responsible for funding maintained school sixth forms. Local authorities also retained responsibility for commissioning 16-19 education, but the YPLA held the budgets and contracts and made the payments. The previous national commissioning framework would no longer apply although clarification was yet to be received on what would replace it. 

The Special Purpose Grant for supporting the costs associated with transferring staff to the Council formed part of the Area Based Grant and could therefore be subject to a reduction.  This was being monitored by DCE.

Ensuing discussion included:

a)     That DCE continued to work with local providers to reduce the number of learners with Learning Difficulties and Disabilities needing to travel outside of Wiltshire to access provision.

b)     As part of the funding reductions this year, development money for post 16s (a national fund) had been removed.  There was therefore an increased need to work closely with providers to ensure a correct match of placements to the needs of young people.  

c)      Members expressed concern that the Council’s ability to fulfil its strategic role of commissioning training providers could be hindered because funding was held by the YPLA. The constantly changing arrangements for funding were also considered to be generally unhelpful. It was agreed that these concerns should be relayed to the Secretary of State.

d)     It was hoped that further clarity on the role of the local authority would be provided following budgetary announcements in October/early November by central government.

e)     At present, many students travel out of the county to receive further education, including the south of the County, where the provision sought was not perceived as being available.

a)     In September, the Committee agreed to submit a letter to the Secretary of State expressing the Committee’s concerns regarding funding arrangements for further education. Cllr Hubbard confirmed that he had met with the Head of School Improvement and would be meeting again after the meeting to finalise the letter. This would be circulated to all Committee members for comment prior to despatch.

Resolved:

1)                 To note the update provided.

2)                 That a letter would be submitted to the Secretary of State expressing the Committee’s concerns regarding the funding arrangements for further education.

In March 2010, the Committee received an update on St Josephs Catholic School, St Edmunds Church of England Girls’ School and Wyvern College in Laverstock. Members were pleased to hear of the collaborative working taking place between the schools but were still concerned that there remained no solution to the poor condition of the school buildings. It was agreed therefore that a site visit would be arranged to aid Members’ understanding of the issue.

A report on the visit and the latest position regarding the schools’ status is attached for consideration.

The Committee is asked to note the report and comment as appropriate.

In March the Committee noted the collaborative working taking place between St Josephs Catholic School, St Edmunds Church of England Girls School and Wyvern College in Laverstock. There was concern, however, that there remained no solution to the poor condition of the school buildings.  A site visit was subsequently arranged to aid members’ understanding of the issue.

The Head of Secondary and Special School Improvement presented a report detailing the visit and the latest position regarding the schools’ status.

Ensuing discussion included:

a)     There remained aspirations for a sixth form on the Laverstock site. Approximately 1,500 pupils attend the three schools and many other Wiltshire schools with similar sized budgets have sixth form facilities.

b)     Some refurbishment work had been undertaken but that the condition of the school buildings overall was unsatisfactory. 

c)      Most of the pupils the members spoke to indicated that they would not be remaining in Salisbury to receive further education but would travel out of county.

d)     Parking remained a problem within the Laverstock schools area.  It was agreed that this was an Area Board issue.

e)     It was agreed that provision of further education in the Salisbury area might benefit from further scrutiny by the Committee. A task group was established to focus on this area. It was noted that a sub-group of the Children & Young People’s Trust Board had been established to consider the strategic approach to this provision across Wiltshire and that any task group should maintain close ties with this body.

Resolved:

1)         To note the update

2)         To establish a task group to consider further education provision in the Salisbury area. A representative from the Trust Board strategic approach sub-group would be invited to attend the Task Group’s meetings and close working would be maintained between the two groups.

On 8 June, the Children’s Services Select Committee resolved to undertake a rapid scrutiny exercise looking at the Review of Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision; specifically the consultation process and results.

The Rapid Scrutiny Exercise was held on 15 July 2010 and its recommendations were considered by the Select Committee on 22 July 2010, alongside the report to Cabinet presenting the outcomes of the Review and proposals for service development. The Select Committee endorsed all of the Rapid Scrutiny Exercise’s recommendations without amendment or addition. Following endorsement, the Rapid Scrutiny Group’s report was submitted to Cabinet for consideration at its meeting on 27 July 2010.

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services’ response to the exercise undertaken and recommendations made is now attached for note and consideration.

The Committee is asked to note the response and to agree how to monitor the implementation of these recommendations.

In July, members undertook a rapid scrutiny exercise to consider the Review of Special Educational Needs (SEN). The recommendations from the exercise were endorsed by the Committee and subsequently submitted to Cabinet for consideration alongside the final recommendations of the Review of SEN Provision on 27 July.

The Executive response to the rapid scrutiny’s recommendations was presented by the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services.

Ensuing discussion included clarification that any financial savings made as part of the SEN review were to be reinvested into SEN provision and that there was a need for the Committee to receive further information on the transition of service from one provision to another.

Resolved:

1)         To note the Executive response to the Review of SEN Provision Rapid Scrutiny Exercise.

2)         To monitor implementation of the Rapid Scrutiny Exercise’s recommendations by receiving regular updates and the reports already requested within the rapid scrutiny group’s final report.

The following updates were provided:

a)         Social Care Team Restructure - update

A progress report on the restructuring of Children and Families Social Care was presented by the Service Director for Children and Families.  This provided details of the early indications of the impact on service delivery.

New processes and systems were now in place and feedback received to date had been positive.  A positive difference to the service was likely to be fully realised within the next six months.

b)        Summary Report on Allocation and Vacancies in Children and Families Social Care

A report on case allocations and workforce vacancies within Children’s Services was presented by the Service Director for Children and Families.

The report incorporated the recommendations made within the Laming Report following the death of Victoria Climbie in the London Borough of Hackney.  These included strengthened and improved reporting arrangements within local authorities in respect of staff recruitment and workload arrangements.

Clarification was provided as follows:

·        The vacancy level within the team had remained at between 3% to 4%.

·        The recruitment campaign had been successful with only 1.5 social work posts vacant at present.  Although newly qualified social workers (approximately 20) were unable to work with statutory cases in their first year, the new recruitments would improve the service provided by the Council.

c)         Ofsted Unannounced inspections of contact, referral and assessment

A report on the Ofsted assessment of the performance of the children’s social care contact, referral and assessment services within Wiltshire was presented by the Service Director for Children and Families, DCE.

The inspection sampled the quality and effectiveness of these arrangements and the impact they had on child abuse and neglect.

The feedback received from the Inspector was complimentary in terms of the structure of the duty and referral teams.  Two areas highlighted for further attention were the lack of administration posts on the duty desk where there were now 2 new posts and the second related to training for new recruits.  Additional training in September and October had been established.

The department was expected to have addressed all the areas for development reported by Ofsted by the end of 2010.

Resolved:

1)         To note the content of the Social Care Restructure update report;

2)         To note the update on case allocations and workforce vacancies within Children’s Services; and

3)         To note the results of Ofsted’s assessment of children’s social care contact, referral and assessment services within Wiltshire, and the actions in progress to rectify identified areas for development.

A report from Carolyn Godfrey, Corporate Director for Children & Education, describing the function of the Schools Forum is attached. This followed a request from Cllr Helen Osborn.

Mr Neil Baker, Chairman of the Schools Forum and Headteacher of Christ Church CE Primary School, will attend to answer Members’ questions.

Following a request made by Cllr Helen Osborn, the Corporate Director for DCE presented a report on the role of the Schools Forum.  Mr Neil Baker, Chairman of the Schools Forum and Headteacher of Christ Church C of E Primary School attended to answer any questions arising.

Ensuing discussion included that Councillors would be welcomed to attend and observe the Schools Forum.  The Forum had recently been reconstituted to reflect changes in legislation and a representative from a Wiltshire academy would be offered membership.

Resolved:

To note the report.

Placements for Looked After Children (LAC) Task Group update

Membership:  Cllr Jon Hubbard (Chairman), Cllr Peter Colmer, Cllr Andrew Davis, Mrs Alice Kemp, Cllr Bill Moss and Cllr Helen Osborn.

The Task Group met for the second time on 18 August, and were joined by Lin Hitchman – Head of Children in Care, Jane Shuttleworth - Interim Head of Joint Commissioning, Sharon Davies – Service Director for Children & Families and Cllr Lionel Grundy OBE, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services.

Although Members were generally satisfied with the direction of the Placements Commissioning Strategy, they remained concerned at the lack of a comprehensive project plan for its implementation. Members felt that the current action plan framed its targets in terms of officer work rather than outcomes for looked after children. Members have therefore requested to see a ‘master plan’ at their next meeting containing historic, current and aspirational KPIs and other historic and projected outcomes.

Members considered the arrangements in place for supporting and housing young people leaving care, resolving to receive the 16-24 Accommodation Strategy at the Task Group’s next meeting.

Members also received a report on the new brokerage function in DCE. This will include two new contract officers and is intended to enable better management of placement contracts, a greater focus on specifying outcomes within new contracts, a reduction in the number of placement providers and improved relationships with those placement providers. Members were generally satisfied with the rationale behind the brokerage function and the approach taken.

At the next meeting, as well the ‘master plan’ mentioned above, Members will receive a progress report on development of the adoption service and will be joined by Karen Reid, Virtual Headteacher, to discuss what educational support LAC receive.

An update on the Placements for Looked After Children (LAC) Task Group was included on the Agenda cover sheet.

Resolved:

To note the update.

A document showing the items to be considered at the next meeting of the Cabinet, Corporate Parenting Panel and Schools Forum is attached.

The Committee noted the items to be considered by Cabinet, Corporate Parenting Panel and Schools Forum relevant to children’s services.

Resolved:

To note the items in the Cabinet, Corporate Parenting Panel and Schools Forum forward work programmes listed in the Agenda.

A copy of the draft Forward Work Programme is attached for consideration.

The Committee’s Forward Work Programme was provided for consideration.

Resolved:

To note the Forward Work Programme.

10:30am, 25 November 2010.

10.30am, 25 November 2010.

Any other items of business which the Chairman agrees to consider as a matter of urgency.

There were no urgent items.