Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Cllr Peter Davis, Mrs Rosheen Ryan and Mr Chris Dark.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the Children’s Services Select Committee held on 23 September 2010 (copy attached).

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved and signed as a correct record with the following noted:

a)         Minute 105 – Chairman’s Announcements

Scrutiny of Budget and Performance

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.

b)         Minute 107 – Coalition Proposals for Children’s Services and Education

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 the Strategy instead, as this allowed scrutiny of the Strategy prior to final Cabinet approval. It was agreed that in future all Committee members would be notified if an item was to be considered by a Task Group instead of the full Committee.

c)         Minute 108 – 16-19 Learning – Update on Transfer of Responsibility from LSC to LA

            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.

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

There were no declarations of interest received.

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

Cllr Osborn was unable to fulfil this role due to work commitments and therefore a replacement representative was required. discussion. It was agreed that Cllr Mary Douglas would be the appointed representative with Cllr Helen Osborn substituting when required.

2.         Visit to Melksham Oak School

The Committee’s visit to Melksham Oak School was scheduled for 2pm on Thursday 13 January with the following members confirming their interest in attending:

Cllr Peter Fuller, Cllr Jon Hubbard, Cllr Andrew Davis, Cllr Russell Hawker, Mr John Hawkins and Mrs Alice Kemp.

3.         Deferred Items

2 items were deferred from this meeting since the previous meeting:

i)          Small Schools Strategy

As the national policy picture for small schools was still unclear an update would now be provided in January 2011.

ii)         Transition Planning

The Committee was due to receive an update on the implementation of the Multi-Agency Transitions Protocol for transitioning young people from children’s to adult services.  This would now form part of the Corporate Review of services for disabled children and adults. It was agreed that the implications of this review, including for transition planning, be considered in March 2011.

5.         Cllr Pip Ridout

This meeting would be the final meeting that Cllr Pip Ridout would be attending.  However, Cllr Ridout had agreed to remain on the Further Education in the Salisbury Area Task Group. 

The Chairman thanked Cllr Ridout for her contribution to the Committee.

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 23 November 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. A report giving the latest position is attached.

Carolyn Godfrey, Corporate Director for the Department of Children and Education, will attend to answer Members’ questions.

The Committee considered a report on the latest changes from Central Government relating to children’s services and education. An executive summary of the recent Government white paper, ‘The Importance of Teaching’, was also circulated.

The Corporate Director for Children’s Services introduced the update:

·        Schools would now be more autonomous with many becoming academies. Local authorities would play a much more strategic role, supporting and encouraging academies and sponsors to work with under-performing schools.

·        New measures were proposed regarding school performance, with the performance bar being raised. A secondary school will be considered to be ‘under performing’ if fewer than 35 per cent of pupils achieve 5 A*-C grade GCSEs including English and mathematics; an increase from the previous government’s figure of 30 per cent. The thresholds for Key Stage 2 had also been increased.

·        Teachers would be given new powers to search pupils within school premises and disciplinary powers ‘beyond the school gate’. 

·        Schools were likely to become accountable for the children they excluded both in terms of the pupil’s education and finance. The new system was likely to result in the emergence of local authority and private sector-run pupil units.

·        The national curriculum would be reviewed with the aim of reducing prescription and increasing school autonomy while refocusing on the core subject areas.

·        Further data is awaited in relation to the school funding system including how the Pupil Premium would be administered. The number of central government grants would be greatly reduced and, of those that remain, few would be ring-fenced.

·      The White Paper suggested that Scrutiny may in future have a role to play in scrutinising under-performing schools.

Following member questions, the following points were clarified:

(a)          For academies set up under the previous government’s scheme, the local authority would continue to be the governing body when that academy had been sponsored by the local authority.  It was likely that where academy schools were sponsored by Trusts, those Trusts would be responsible for appointing the governing body.

(b)          There were a significant number of learners dependant on the Education Maintenance Allowances (EMA) which was to be scrapped.  Although the EMA was to be replaced with targeted support for those who face genuine financial barriers to participation, there was concern that this may impact on some learners’ ability to qualify. Officers reported that strategic meeting had taken place last week where this had been discussed as a key issue and that there was more work planned on the potential implications. The Committee asked to be kept informed of developments.

(c)          DCE would be deleting approximately 60 posts as part of the current management review. In many cases, two deleted posts had been merged into one. Members requested that details of the final structure and number of deleted posts be circulated to members once known.

(d)          The 2010/11 Play Capital Funding allocation for Wiltshire had been reduced to £372k.  To ensure a fair allocation, the criteria given to local authorities had been to ensure that those areas of highest  ...  view the full minutes text for item 123.

A report from the Service Director for Commissioning and Performance – DCE, on progress to implement Wiltshire’s Commissioning Strategy to improve the emotional well-being and mental health of children and young people.

The Committee last received an update on this issue in July 2009, when organisations were bidding to become Wiltshire’s provider of specialist child & adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) (Tiers 3 and 4).  The successful bidder were Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (OBMH), who took over providing the service on 1 April 2010.

The Joint Service Director for Commissioning and Performance presented a update report on progress made towards the implementation of the Strategy and work undertaken by the Mental Health Trust.

Clarification was provided that the Strategy covered 4 tiers of support:

• Tier 1  - Schools.  Promoting the service.
• Tier 2 – Primary Mental Health Service.  Support for the early stages of service requirements.  Managed by the local authority and known as ‘Healthy Minds’.
• Tiers 3 and 4 – Specialist Services.  Known as Specialism CAMHS and run by the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Mental Health Trust.  The majority of funding was provided by the Primary Care Trust (PCT).

Prior to the new contract being awarded to Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Mental Health Trust on 1 April 2010, there had been 3 specialist providers across the Wiltshire region.  The rationale behind retendering was to secure a single provider that would provide good access and reduced waiting times.  As the contract had been running for only 6 months, the Trust was now in the process of setting out its new service model, to include:

·               A much closer relationship with Healthy Minds (Tier 2) to ensure a smoother pathway through the service.

·               A reduction to the length of stay within in-patient units for severe mental health illness, which was currently above the national average of 65 to 70 days.  This had already been reduced over the last 6 months but work continued to reduce further whilst ensuring care in the community was appropriate.

·               No person under the age of 18 had been admitted to an adult ward.

·               The new provider was clear about the involvement of young people as part of the revised service provision.  The ‘Off the Record’ representative had commenced work in this area and would continue to ensure involvement.

·               The Crisis and Outreach Service had been developed and was a key part of the new model.  This was the service that bridged the gap between Tier 3 and Tier 4.  The service provided a more intensive support and was particularly focused on looked after young people and young offenders.

Following member questions, the following points were clarified:

(a)          The 2010/11 Play Capital Funding allocation for Wiltshire had been reduced to £372k.  To ensure a fair allocation, the criteria given to local authorities had been to ensure that those areas of highest deprivation were given priority.

(a)          Where possible the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) was used.  However, within Tier 2 referrals were often received from external sources (to include GPs, schools, etc) that did not allow for the CAF to be followed.

(b)          The Mental Health Trust were working to reduce the timeframe for referral to specialist services from 8 to 2 weeks. It was understood that central government did not class this as a key target although the Trust were still making steps to reduce the timeframe.

(c)          The financial implications for NHS Wiltshire once GPs took over the specialist CAMHS service from 2013 were not known.  However, in the interim, the PCT had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 124.

In July 2010, Members undertook a rapid scrutiny exercise looking at the Review of SEN Provision consultation process and results. The Rapid Scrutiny Group made a number of recommendations that were later endorsed by the Committee, mostly in relation to how future Council consultations could be improved.

The Group also had concerns regarding the transition of some young people from Specialist Learning Centres to mainstream schools as a result of the SEN Review proposals. It therefore requested that the Committee received an update on how the individual plans for those young people affected are being progressed. A report is attached.

Trevor Daniels, Head of SEN, will attend to answer Members’ questions.

The Head of SEN presented an update report on how individual plans for young people affected by the Review of SEN Provision 2009/10 were being progressed. This following a request by the Rapid Scrutiny Exercise Group who considered the proposals for SEN Provision and made a number of recommendations. The Group had concerns regarding the transitioning of young people from Specialist Learning Centres (SLCs) (now known as ‘Resource Bases’) to mainstream schools as a result of the Review’s proposals.

Following member questions, the following points were clarified:

(a)          Meetings had been planned or already taken place with all affected Resource Bases and individual pupils.  Plans would be in place for all pupils by the start of the next academic year. An update report would therefore be provided to the Committee in six months.

(b)          It was noted that a specialist assessment may need to take place for some children through the transitioning process but that an identified approach had already been agreed for the majority of children affected.  The report confirmed that the process in place was working well in the majority of cases.

(c)           The proposal and cost implications for remodelling of the Resource Bases would be considered by the Schools Forum at its meeting in December would provide recommendations to Cabinet for further consideration thereafter. The funding model was based on the needs of children within Resource Bases today and therefore a formula was being sought for the future.

Resolved:

1)                 To note the report on the progress made with establishing individual plans for each pupil affected by changes to Specialist Learning Centres (SLCs) as part of the Review of SEN Provision 2009/10.

2)        To receive a further update report in 6 months on the implementation of the proposals relating to the Review of SEN Provision 2009/10.

In January 2010, the Committee considered proposals for service development with respect to SEN provision in specialist learning centres (now referred to as ‘resources bases’), SEN support services and SEN provision in mainstream primary schools. These were later approved by Cabinet in July and will be confirmed in December.

The Committee agreed that a decision would be made in the Autumn regarding the establishment of a task group to look specifically at special schools and post-16 SEN provision. A report from the Senior Scrutiny Officer is attached proposing terms of reference and a timescale for the review.

At its meeting in January 2010, the Committee considered proposals for service development with regards to SEN provision in Specialist Learning Centres (SLCs), SEN support services and SEN provision in mainstream primary schools. The Committee agreed that a decision would be made in the Autumn on whether to establish a further Task Group to consider specifically special schools and post-16 SEN provision.

The Senior Scrutiny Officer presented a report containing suggestions for the terms of reference, methodology and timescale of the scrutiny review. It was noted that, in contrast to July’s rapid scrutiny exercise looking at the initial SEN Review proposals, the long time-frame for this exercise would allow an in-depth look at the issues and an opportunity for the Committee to undertake its policy development role.

Those members of the Committee interested in being a member of the Task Group were asked to advise the Senior Scrutiny.

Resolved:

To establish the Special Schools and Post-16 Special Educational Needs (SEN) Task Group, with the terms of reference described within the report.

Major Contracts Task Group

Membership:   Cllr Bill Moss (Chairman)

                        Cllr Carole Soden

                        Cllr Jon Hubbard

                        Cllr Peter Colmer

                        Cllr Jacqui Lay

The Major Contracts Task Group met on the 14 October to review the Sodexo School Catering contract. Members noted the satisfactory levels of performance but were concerned at the decreasing number of schools within the contract. This contract expired in March 2010 and the Corporate Procurement Unit are currently investigating a way forward. The Task Group will meet again (prior to Cabinet consideration) once a decision has been made regarding a preferred approach.

The Task Group has also met to review the performance of Quarriers who provide residential placements for looked after children (LAC). A number of concerns have arisen from this, which the Task Group are pursuing and a further meeting is to be organised for January 2011. As much of this is subject to confidentiality, members of the Task Group would be happy to take questions outside of the meeting.

The Task Group will meet again on 16 December 2010 to review the White Horse Education Partnership, which provides facilities management services to the Wootton Bassett, Abbeyfield and Malmesbury Schools. To aid this review, members of the Task Group will be visiting all three sites on 29 November.

Placements for Looked After Children Task Group (LAC)

Membership: Cllr Jon Hubbard (Chairman)

                        Cllr Peter Colmer

Cllr Andrew Davis

Rev Alice Kemp

Cllr Bill Moss

Cllr Helen Osborn

The Task Group held their third meeting on 4 November.

Members considered the Family & Parenting Support Commissioning Strategy, which was due for approval by Cabinet on 16 November. In September, the Committee had asked to receive the Strategy at its next meeting, but taking it to the Task Group instead allowed Scrutiny consideration prior to final Cabinet approval. A full note of the Task Group’s discussions and conclusions from this item is therefore attached.

The Task Group also received a briefing on Educational Support for LAC, requesting a breakdown of LAC’s educational attainment by category of care setting; and a protocol between various departments and agencies clarifying roles and responsibilities regarding homeless young people. Members requested that a briefing note be drafted for Councillors summarising the content of the protocol.

The Task Group chairman and the Senior Scrutiny Officer will be meeting shortly to discuss the Task Group’s future work, which will include a visit to the Adoption Team at Newbury House, Trowbridge to learn about the adoption process.

Further Education in the Salisbury Area Task Group

Membership (TBC) :   Cllr Mary Douglas

                                       Cllr Jon Hubbard

                                       Cllr Bill Moss

                                       Cllr Pip Ridout

                                       Cllr Jacqui Lay

                                       Dr Mike Thompson

The commencement of this task group was delayed due to issues around membership and potential conflicts of interest. However, the Group’s initial scoping meeting is now scheduled for 2 December in Salisbury.

Rapid Scrutiny Exercise: Green Paper – Children &Young People with SEN and Disabilities

Membership (TBC):  Cllr Paul Darby

Cllr Jon Hubbard

Mrs Alice Kemp

Cllr Jacqui Lay  ...  view the full agenda text for item 127.

An update on the work of the Task Groups was included with the Agenda.

The following further information was provided as follows:

Placements for Looked after Children (LAC)

The Chairman and Senior Scrutiny Officer was due to meet later today to recap on the Task Group’s work so far and agree a future direction.

Clarification was sought on whether Area Boards were able to provide funding for services that had otherwise or previously been provided by the local authority.  The Senior Scrutiny Officer would seek clarification following the meeting for circulation to all members of the Committee.

Further Education in the Salisbury Area

A meeting had been scheduled to take place on Thursday 2 December at Bourne Hill House in Salisbury. 

The Parent Governor Representative (Primary School) and School Teacher Representative had expressed interest in taking part in the Task Group but had been informed that, due to a conflict of interest, they were not able to do so although it was noted that both parties could be called as witnesses to the Task Group to ensure the expertise they held was fully utilised.

Resolved:

To note the updates provided.

A copy of the Committee’s Forward Work Programme and Terms of Reference are attached for consideration.

Cllr Hawker requested that an item be added to a future agenda on the methodology used by the Council to calculate the demand for nursery places in Wiltshire (the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment).  

As agreed under Minute 119, items on budget and performance monitoring were to be added as a standing item on future agendas.  Hard copies of the Cabinet budget monitoring reports would be circulated to all Committee members when published.

Academies would be added as an agenda item for consideration in June 2011.

Resolved:

1)        To note the Forward Work Programme and Terms of Reference.

2)        To add the additional items agreed by the Committee for future consideration.

The next meeting of the Children’s Services Select Committee is scheduled for 10.30am, 27 January 2010, Council Chamber, County Hall, Trowbridge.

10.30am, 27 January 2011, Council Chamber, County Hall, Trowbridge.

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

There were no urgent items for consideration.