Issue - meetings

This report provides a performance update for the period January to March 2023 (Quarter 4 2022-23) for the key performance indicators relating to Children’s Services as detailed in the Corporate Performance Scorecard. 

The Interim Head of Performance presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'D' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The report provided a performance update for the period January to March 2023 (Quarter 4 2022-23) for the key performance indicators relating to Children’s Services as detailed in the Corporate Performance Scorecard.

The Committee discussed the report and areas which were covered included:

• The ‘not in employment, education or training’ (NEETs) increase was highlighted and the Committee was advised that there had been an increase in unaccompanied asylum seekers which would impact on the figures, particularly in relation to Years 12 and 13.
• Regarding exclusions, it was clarified that ‘as is position’ and ‘what new will look like’ was referred to a review of alternative provision which had been completed which considered what the landscape was now and what it could look like in the future.
• In response to a query regarding the money being spent on alternative provision and whether more funding should be focused on early help, the Committee was advised of the work detailed in the SEND and alternative provision improvement plan which referred to new three strands of alternative provision and the strands and how they would be implemented were detailed.  It was noted that this work would be undertaken with primary aged children in addition to secondary school and would work in conjunction with the early help provision.
• In response to a concern regarding the increase of number of pupils excluded, the Committee was advised that it was a whole school issue which was complex as it was the ultimately the decision of the headteacher and governors to exclude.  The work BCP was doing in this area was detailed to provide reassurance to the Committee including engaging with schools, providing intervention support, advice from Ofsted that they would not downgrade schools rating if they had pupils who found it difficult to self-regulate and the support provided to schools to keep the young people within the school.
• With reference to the interventions available and timeliness of assessments, the Committee was advised that paediatrics waiting lists were long and that there were delays in EHCP assessments due to a national shortage of Educational Psychologists which impacted on local assessments.
• In response to a query regarding children who were disadvantaged, vulnerable, had additional needs or BAME heritage being disproportionately affected by permanent exclusion, the Committee was advised this work was being considered with all BCP schools as part of the alternative provision review, by increasing the timeliness of the EHCP assessments and ensuring schools had the tools to provide the right support to their pupils at the right time to reduce exclusions.
• The Chair requested all future reports include the EQIAs and RAG ratings.  ACTION.

RESOLVED that the Performance update be noted.

Councillor Williams left the meeting 8:10pm.