Agenda item

The latest Covid-19 update provided to Cabinet on 1 June 2021 (and also considered by Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee on 25 May 2021) can be accessed here.

Members of the committee were invited to submit questions in advance to ensure that comprehensive responses could be provided. The questions and responses will be circulated with the minutes for this meeting.

The Committee was invited to consider the latest Covid-19 update provided to Cabinet on 1 June 2021 (and also considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee on 25 May 2021).

Helean Hughes, Director Education and Skills, gave a verbal update on changes since the written update, noting that the overall number of Covid-19 cases had continued to decline.  She praised the resilience of staff and provided detail on multi agency support targeted at improving the attendance of children. It was stated that the Holiday and Activity Fund was in place to ensure holiday club provision across the summer break. Post -16 education was also identified as an area of concern with the Careers Hub actively taking measures to ensure that children did not fall into a situation where they were not in education or training (NEET). Given that there had been two years without statutory assessment, she explained that work was being done with schools to offer moderation and ensure standardisation.

Director Families and Children, Martin Davis, also provided a verbal update praising the work of staff during the pandemic. Given the restrictions during lockdown, concern was expressed about the rise in potential number of domestic violence cases, especially given the less public setting of these offences. In addition, he expressed concern that there had been fewer referrals from schools and GPs leading to a reduction in the number of children subject to child protection plans. It was stated that the number of cases had started to rise as lockdown measures were lifted but that initiatives were being put in place to mitigate the impact of this increased demand, including working closely with the police. It was also reported that the Fostering Excellence Campaign had set a target of increasing the number of in-house carers for children looked after by Wiltshire Council.

During the course of the discussion the following points were made:

• Queries were submitted asking how best councillors could help support the work of the Council’s teams, particularly given the strain currently placed on staff and the number of new Members on the Committee.
• The issue of staff wellbeing and retention were also raised. It was explained that therapeutic peer support was being provided and that contingency funding was available. It was noted that the turnover of Headteachers was lower than the previous year. The hybrid working model, with council staff working partly from home once Covid-19 restrictions had eased, was also discussed.
• The Council’s Thrive Hub Programme, designed to support children’s mental wellbeing, was still operating in schools, but the Single Point of Access (SPA) offer was not currently available. Discussions were underway with the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAHMS) about the SPA programme in light of recent guidance from the DfE.
• In order to help children with underlying heath conditions return to school, a multi-agency team was being bought together so that schools could raise concerns with the Education Welfare Service.
• The pressures in making additional places available to children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) created by Covid-19 were also noted.

Resolved:

• To note the contents of the report as well as express appreciation for the dedication shown by officers during the pandemic.