Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence from Councillors.

The Chair informed the Committee of the sad passing of one of its longstanding Members, Councillor Nick Geary. Committee Members respectfully remembered him, followed by a two-minute silence in his memory.

Apologies had been received from Peter Martin and Mark Saxby.

Councillors are requested to declare any interests on items included in this agenda. Please refer to the workflow on the preceding page for guidance.

Declarations received will be reported at the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest received on this occasion.

To receive information on any changes in the membership of the Committee.

Note – When a member of a Committee is unable to attend a meeting of a Committee or Sub-Committee, the relevant Political Group Leader (or their nominated representative) may, by notice to the Monitoring Officer (or their nominated representative) prior to the meeting, appoint a substitute member from within the same Political Group. The contact details on the front of this agenda should be used for notifications.

There were no substitute members on this occasion.

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Meeting held on 7 June 2022.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 7 June 2022, having previously been circulated, be confirmed as read and an accurate record and signed by the Chair.

The Chair provided an update on the action sheet and advised of the reason why the Ofsted feedback had been removed from the agenda.

To receive any public questions, statements or petitions submitted in accordance with the Constitution, which is available to view at the following link:

https://democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeID=151&Info=1&bcr=1

The deadline for the submission of a public question is 4 clear working days before the meeting.

The deadline for the submission of a public statement is midday the working day before the meeting.

The deadline for the submission of a petition is 10 working days before the meeting.

There were no public issues received on this occasion.

In May 2021, BCP Council’s Children’s Services commissioned an Appreciative Inquiry into inclusive practices across schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Recommendations were made to improve practice. In addition, BCP Council and Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) were required to submit a Written Statement of Action following a local area Special Needs and Disabilities (SEND) inspection. Several of these actions aim to reduce exclusions.

The Service Manager, Inclusion Team presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

In May 2021, BCP Council’s Children’s Services commissioned an Appreciative Inquiry into inclusive practices across schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Recommendations were made to improve practice. In addition, BCP Council and Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) were required to submit a Written Statement of Action following a local area Special Needs and Disabilities (SEND) inspection. Several of these actions aim to reduce exclusions.

The Committee discussed the report and comments were made, including:

• The Chair highlighted the change in terminology now being used as suspension and permanently excluded.  It was noted that a pupil could be suspended for 45 days of a school year, however this was a rarity and support was often sought by the school before it got to that stage.
• It was highlighted that there was monitoring of which schools were permanently excluding pupils and the reasons behind it across BCP.  It was noted that this data would be used to provide challenge to schools to reduce permanent exclusions with the appropriate support.
• A Member of Youth Parliament (MYP) enquired about how to resolve the issue of the distraction these pupils caused to the school community and the Committee was advised that support was available to all schools to help pupils within the school environment, hopefully reducing disruption.  The aim was to upskill school staff to ensure all pupils felt safe in the classroom and it was a productive environment.
• In response to a query regarding the setting up of BCP’s Headteachers Forum, the Committee was advised that it was hoped all schools and academy trusts would want to be involved to discuss important issues affecting BCP schools. An MYP requested to be involved with any discussions at the Headteachers Forum regarding school uniforms. ACTION.
• With reference to the review of alternative provision, a Member highlighted that she had suggested some premises which would be suitable for alternative provision and could they be investigated ACTION.
• In response to a query about the rise in more than one suspension for pupils SEND support and EHCPs, the Committee was advised that there had been a national increase in suspensions and permanent exclusions following the return to school after Covid and the possible reasons for that were detailed.  The Committee was reassured that SEND officers and schools worked together to support the needs of any pupils.
• In response to a query regarding the definition of a navigator, the Committee was advised they were part of the pilot scheme of ‘team around the school’ and navigators were members of BCP team, based within schools, who would work with families and pupils to assist inappropriate referrals into social care, increasing attendance and preventing suspension and permanent exclusions. It was highlighted that the navigator would liaise with any other lead professionals involved with the child to create a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

The purpose of this paper is to outline the changes of the mainstream SEND banding descriptors and provide three banding value options for consideration. One option will need to be adopted by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP Council).   

This paper outlines how each of the options will contribute to the long-term reduction of the overall overspend in the High Needs Block budget and the commitment required from both mainstream schools and the SEND Service to reduce growth in both Alternative Provision (AP) and Independent Non-Maintained Special School provision (INMSS). 

Implementation of the adopted new banding value option will commence from October 2022.  

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 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The purpose of this paper was to outline the changes of the mainstream SEND banding descriptors and provide three banding value options for consideration. One option would need to be adopted by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP Council).   

The paper outlined how each of the options would contribute to the long-term reduction of the overall overspend in the High Needs Block budget and the commitment required from both mainstream schools and the SEND Service to reduce growth in both Alternative Provision (AP) and Independent Non-Maintained Special School provision (INMSS). 

Implementation of the adopted new banding value option would commence from October 2022.  

The Committee discussed the report and comments were made, including:

• The Chair expressed surprise at the level of Headteachers who responded, however it was advised that the consultation was ongoing and it was hoped that higher levels of response would be received through that
• In response to a query regarding the proposed banding values, the Committee was advised that Teacher Assistant hourly rates were considered together with the notional funding of £6,000 provided for each child and it was anticipated that the new banding proposals would be sufficient to reduce the spend on alternative bespoke packages
• It was clarified that provision was always considered during an annual review however a move from independent provision to mainstream would only be considered at a parent’s request
• In response to a query, it was advised that the proposed banding would provide mainstream schools with enough funding and support to increase the number of pupils with EHCPs within their settings which would free up spaces within special schools, thereby reducing numbers attending independent provision.
• The Portfolio Holder for Council Priorities and Delivery addressed the Committee and highlighted that the change in banding proposals was one of many strands to enable schools to ensure children and pupils were in the right place for them, enabling schools to support them, where appropriate providing capital investment and this was part of a bigger package
• A Committee Member requested that, when considering the data going forward, the new EHCPs were separated from the current ones which should hopefully enable progress to be clearly identified sooner. ACTION
• In response to a query regarding if a pupil who received funding from banding spent some of the school year suspended, it was noted that the school would continue to receive funding unless a child was permanently excluded
• In response to a query regarding the increase in some of the banding, it was advised that schools need to be clear on what the funding under an EHCP was being spent on, it may not be for a dedicated TA, it could be sourcing other services such as play therapy
• In response to a query regarding schools buying back support from BCP, it was confirmed that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

The Members of Youth Parliament began their two-year term of office on 1^st March 2022.

This report outlines the Members of Youth Parliament’s work to date and their national and local priorities and plans

The Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The MYPs began their two-year term of office on 1^st March 2022.

The report outlined the MYPs work to date and their national and local priorities and plans.

The MYPs concluded their presentation by requesting Committee Members put the 11 October 2022 in their diaries for a participation workshop about heightening engagement between elected Members and the young people of BCP.

The Committee discussed the report and comments were made, including:

• The Chair agreed about the need to get young people involved with politics and in response to a query about what could be done, the Committee was advised that basic political education should be part of the national curriculum within PHSE.  The Chair followed up that it would be interesting to know how many schools across BCP provided political education within its PHSE. ACTION
• An Officer highlighted the importance of hearing young people’s voices across all BCP services and how that would heighten interest of the young people in local politics with visits to schools by local elected members also discussed
• One of the MYPs talked about the area they lived in and how local politics was not looked upon favourably but that believed that through education and increased awareness, it could bring about positive change to local issues
• A Committee Member expressed gratefulness to the MYPs for their enthusiasm and drive and advised they would help in any way
• A Committee Member advised of the Lead Member for engagement and requested that the MYPs contact them to help with their projects and goals. ACTION
• In response to a query regarding the MYP elections and how some schools do not engage with the process, the promotion and increased awareness of the MYPs role and elections across BCP was discussed
• A Committee Member highlighted a possible connection with local youth organisations in addition to schools to increase awareness
• A Committee Member referred to the five campaigns which the MYPs had been chosen and to the difference the campaigns would make to the young people across BCP.
• In response to a query regarding equality for minorities a Committee Member expressed their interest on working alongside the MYPs with that campaign. ACTION
• A Committee Member highlighted a local resident who frequently visited schools to discuss faiths and the possibility of a visit to Westminster for any interested young people

The Chair summarised the discussion as follows:

• Participation event on 11 October 2022.
• Engagement of young people and how to encourage schools to do more
• Five campaigns
• The Chair concluded by saying to the MYPs to take every little victory throughout their campaign journey.

RESOLVED that the Committee note the report.

In the December 2021 Ofsted ILACs one of the areas of improvement for Childrens Services was;

The recruitment and retention of a workforce that is experienced, competent and confident to deliver improvements, so that children no longer have multiple changes of social worker or personal advisor.

In the June Monitoring Visit this was also an area covered by the inspection.

The HR Business Partner 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.

In the December 2021 Ofsted ILACs one of the areas of improvement for Children’s Services was the recruitment and retention of a workforce that was experienced, competent and confident to deliver improvements, so that children no longer had multiple changes of social worker or personal advisor.

In the June Monitoring Visit this was also an area covered by the inspection.

The Committee discussed the report and comments were made, including:

• In response to a query about the stability of the Senior Leadership Team, the Committee was advised that at the most recent monitoring visit it was noted that all the SLT were permanent and committed to the improvement journey and beyond.  It was also noted that all the Service Manager posts were recruited to bar one which interviews were soon being undertaken.  Ofsted considered that to be a stable SLT.
• In response to a query regarding the staff turnover rate, it was noted that this was tracked monthly and was improving through the recruitment and retention of permanent social workers and the work being undertaken on retention was detailed
• In response to a query regarding the MA training scheme, the Committee was advised of the ‘grow your own’ workforce development strategy and how it worked in practice.  The enquiring Committee Member was advised that the full details of the scheme could be provided to them after the meeting. ACTION
• In response to a query about when a social worker leaves or goes on sick leave, it was clarified that there would be a handover and the family and young people would be notified, although may not be possible with sick leave due to the short notice. 
• The different HR payroll systems were discussed including the difficulties they caused and the Committee was advised that the new system should be in place within the next year
• In response to a query regarding staff turnover rate of the neighbouring local authorities, it was noted that there could be a difference in the way the data was being recorded and provided and the Committee was reassured that conversations had been undertaken with them to support and improve the recruitment and retention programme.
• The Committee discussed the pay review and structure and the urgent need to address it within Children’s Services, however also the need for balance and fairness for other Service Directorates, the implications of this were being considered by Corporate Management Board.
• Recruits from overseas were discussed and it was noted it had been broadly successful, although some lessons had been learnt and the plan moving forward was to recruit nationally within the UK.
• Clarification of over-establishment was provided which meant posts which were not part of future structures and planned budgets and would usually cover vacant posts or to meet a particular/additional demand.  The Committee was reassured  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

To receive a verbal update from the Portfolio Holders.

The Portfolio Holder for Council Priorities and Delivery advised that with regard to inclusion, capital resources would be used to ensure schools had the right facilities to provide to the children and young people, with ongoing work in some schools

The government had provided an opportunity to bid for further free special schools and BCP would be putting in bids for this funding.

To consider the Committee’s Forward Plan.

A Committee Member requested that the review of youth services be added to the Forward Plan.  ADD TO FORWARD PLAN.

To agree the date of the next Children’s Servies Ovierview and Scrutiny Committee as 20 September 2022.

It was agreed that the date of the next meeting of the Committee would be 20 September 2022.