Issue - meetings

To receive a verbal update from the Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People.

The Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People provided a verbal update which included:

·       An update on the outstanding Cabinet recommendation from previous meetings related to knife crime and drug/alcohol use in schools. The Education Improvement Service collaborated with police and community groups to gather data on school programs addressing these issues, but challenges remained in obtaining detailed information.

·       OFSTED had recommended that schools incorporate local safeguarding issues, such as knife crime, into their curriculum. There are current resources available for Personal, Social, Health, and Economic education, with additional materials being sourced from providers attending conferences. The Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People highlighted that he also found free resources online through organisations like the DfE.

·       Advised that he is now the Chair of the Standing Advisory Committee on Religious Education.

·       In response to the Cabinet recommendations around earlier age-appropriate education. There was a need to assess existing educational initiatives related to this at both primary and secondary levels regarding knife crime awareness.

·       Advised of upcoming events including webinars and community events focused on knife crime and related issues.

·       Confirmed the appointment of the new Director of Education and Skills, providing an update on her background in education that had prepared her for this role.

·       The upcoming OFSTED inspection of local authority Children’s Services was viewed positively and seen as an important opportunity for improvement within the service.