Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence from Councillors.

Apologies were received from Councillor Rocca. Councillor Northover attended virtually, forgoing any voting rights.

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 for this meeting.

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 for this meeting.

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Meeting held on 22 November 2022.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 22 November 2022, having previously been circulated, be confirmed as read and agreed as accurate and signed by the Chair.

A Committee Member requested that the Committee lobby the local MPs regarding CE and the Chair advised it would be added to the Action Sheet.  ACTION.

The Chair advised he attended the Corporate and Community Committee on behalf of the Committee to consider the BCP Community Safety Partnership Annual Report and advised any interested Members could review the minutes or watch the live stream.

The Chair read out an update relating to the MYPs actions on the sheet and advised it would be updated accordingly.

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 for this meeting

HMI Probation led a Joint Inspection of Dorset Combined Youth Justice Service in September and October 2022. The inspection report was published on 17 January 2023. The overall rating of the service was Good. The report provides a thorough review of the work of the service, applying 13 inspection standards. 11 of the 13 standards were rated Good, one was rated Requires Improvement and one was rated Outstanding.

The Youth Justice Service Manager 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.

HMI Probation led a Joint Inspection of Dorset Combined Youth Justice Service in September and October 2022. The inspection report was published on 17 January 2023. The overall rating of the service was Good. The report provided a thorough review of the work of the service, applying 13 inspection standards. 11 of the 13 standards were rated Good, one was rated Requires Improvement and one was rated Outstanding.

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

• The Chair congratulated the Service Manager on the outcome noted that the ‘Good’ rating for a joint inspection was to date, the highest rating given, with Dorset scoring one of the highest outcomes possible
• A Committee Member congratulated everyone involved and acknowledged the praise of the speech and language therapists work which was detailed within the report.
• A Committee Member highlighted the work of the Child Exploitation Working Group and requested a recommendation be put forward that it continues after the elections.  ACTION – add to Child Exploitation Working Group Report to Committee.
• In response to a query regarding the ‘Requires Improvement’ rating for the out of court disposals assessment, the Committee was advised of the reasons why the Inspectors gave the rating and the work that was being done to improve in this area.
• In response to a query from an MYP that whilst recognising the ‘Good’ rating, enquired about the pursuit of the six recommendations detailed, the Committee was reassured that the action plan included all the suggested areas for improvement within the report and not just the recommendations. 
• In response to a query regarding recommendation six - to improve analysis and quality of assessment, the Committee was advised that Inspectors felt that the risk of harm components within the assessments could be more consistent and in depth and examples were provided.

The Chair summarised as follows:

• The Committee acknowledged the good result
• Acknowledged the Speech and Language therapists contribution
• Child Exploitation issues
• Assessment tool and how it could be improved
• Risk assessments.

RESOLVED that the Committee note the findings of the Inspection report, including the ‘Strengths’ and ‘Areas for Improvement’ identified and be assured that an action plan was in place with suitable monitoring to address the report’s recommendations.

The attached report gives an overview of the academic year 2021-22 for children in care and care leavers.  The report includes successes, areas that we have been focusing on, areas we are looking to develop and priorities for the next academic year.  Educational outcomes are shown in the report along with an outline of spend for the Pupil Premium Grant.

The Headteacher of Virtual School and College 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 report gave an overview of the academic year 2021-22 for children in care and care leavers.  The report included successes, areas that had been focused on, areas to develop and priorities for the next academic year.  Educational outcomes were shown in the report, along with an outline of spend for the Pupil Premium Grant.

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

• The Chair requested the Committee’s congratulations be passed on those who had completed Degrees and Masters. ACTION
• In response to a query regarding the unknown Ofsted ratings, it was clarified that those Academies were yet to have an Ofsted inspection therefore had no official rating
• In response to a query from an MYP regarding how absences could be reduced, the Committee was reassured that Officers worked closely with partners to help reduce absences and examples of the work were provided
• In response to a query regarding the suspensions detailed in the report, the Committee was advised of the work by the Virtual School and Inclusion Service to address this issue. 
• In response to a query regarding the use of Pupil Premium (PP), the Committee was advised that the Personalised Education Plan was managed on an electronic system called ‘Welfare Call’, which set targets linked to the PP to say what it was wanted for and the impact it would have on the pupil
• In response to a query regarding the Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC), the Committee was advised that the number listed were not just of school age, as it included post 16 cohort.  The support that was provided for all UASC was detailed to the Committee
• In response to a query regarding any patterns in outcomes for exam data, the Committee was advised that the young people did really well this year and the support and reasons for that were highlighted.  It was noted that this support would continue for all pupils to give them the best opportunity for positive outcomes.
• In response to a query regarding the recording of attendance data, the Committee was advised that attendance data was being collected from post 16 provision at the end of each week.  It was noted that retrospective data could be provided to Foster Carers regarding attendance, but the Service would not have daily attendance information to provide.
• In response to a query regarding the process for contacting a foster carer if a young person did not attend college, the Headteacher of the Virtual School and College advised she would discuss it with the post 16 provision providers to ensure consistency of information and monitoring. ACTION

The Chair summarised as follows:

• Reductions in absences
• Suspensions and how to continue to reduce.
• PP and how it was monitored using Welfare Call
• UASC and EASL support
• Exam and attendance data

RESOLVED  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

This report provides an update on the Council’s progress in the Department for Education’s Delivering Better Value (DBV) programme. The programme is designed to provide dedicated support and funding to help local authorities with substantial deficit issues in their high needs block of the dedicated schools grant (DSG) to reform their high needs systems.

The Director of Education and Skills and Head of Service – School Places, Funding & Admissions 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 report provided an update on the Council’s progress in the Department for Education’s Delivering Better Value (DBV) programme. The programme was designed to provide dedicated support and funding to help local authorities with substantial deficit issues in their high needs block of the dedicated schools grant (DSG) to reform their high needs systems.

BCP Council was one of 55 LA’s participating in the first cohort of the programme. This was set against significant concern about the escalating deficit in the Dedicated Schools Grant with low reserves.   The DBV programme would be used to validate the direction of travel of the Council’s Written Statement of Action and High Needs Block Recovery Plans, the relative prioritisation of initiatives and workstreams and the feasibility of implementation plans and associated timelines. In essence, the programme would help BCP Council deliver savings and support the Council’s deficit recovery.

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

• The Chair started by providing an overview of the report to the Committee
• In response to a query, it was noted that this would not address the entire deficit but would reduce the growth by £29 million and would support the local SEND improvement work
• In response to an update request regarding the green paper from Government recognising the financial difficulties faced and the two free school bids, the Committee was advised the service was waiting to hear regarding both
• In response to a query about the aim of getting more SEND students in to mainstream provision, the Committee was advised that pupils with an EHCP would be supported by funding which had been increased following recent consultation to allow up to the employment of a full time Teaching Assistant
• In response to a query regarding Opportunity four detailed in the report regarding the Annual Review Backlog of approximately 1800, the Committee was advised of the efficiencies and savings which would be created if those were removed.
• The Committee was reassured of the proposed use of a graduated response to reduce the need for full EHCPs and how that would happen was detailed.
• In response to a query regarding the LA costs of potentially defending any appeals regarding EHCPs, the Committee was advised the employment of legal officers had significantly reduced the cost of mediation and the number of appeals.

The Chair summarised as follows:

• Recap of overview
• Green paper and Free schools update on timescales
• Annual review backlog
• Any impact on schools and how it could be mitigated
• Appeals

RESOLVED that the Committee note the findings and outputs identified following the Council’s completion of all DVB programme modules, the progress of the SEND programme of expansion and the estimated return on investment/savings or benefits as set out in the presentation attached  ...  view the full minutes text for item 71.

The Children’s Services Improvement plan is in place to ensure progress is made at pace in accordance with the ILACs recommendation, Monitoring Visit outcomes and the statutory Direction notice.

Overview and Scrutiny require regular update on themes regarding improvement and this report covers overall improvements to date.

The Children’s Services Senior Leadership Team are presenting the overall outcomes for the first year of Improvement through a presentation at this Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Director of Quality, Performance Improvement and Governance 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 Children’s Services Improvement plan was in place to ensure progress was made at pace in accordance with the ILACs recommendation, Monitoring Visit outcomes and the statutory Direction notice.

Overview and Scrutiny required regular updates on themes regarding improvement and the report covered overall improvements to date.  The Children’s Services Senior Leadership Team were presenting the overall outcomes for the first year of Improvement through a presentation at the Committee.

The Committee discussed the report and presentation, including:

• In response to a query regarding lowering caseloads, the Committee was advised that caseloads were dependant on the team a social worker worked in, however the Committee was reassured that the caseloads had reduced, and the variants and reasons were detailed within the improvement plan.
• In response to a query regarding terminology being used, the Committee was advised that Care Leavers were now known as Care Experienced Young People and although there was no national language, it was felt that BCP was ahead with its choice of language used.
• In response to a query regarding unregistered providers, the Committee was advised that they were placements or homes which hadn’t been registered and Ofsted regulated however, the Committee was reassured of the quality assurance in place around those placements which included weekly meetings with providers and children in those settings. 
• In response to a query regarding the culture of the Council and the transformation programme and its impact on Children’s Services, the Committee was reassured that it was felt there was strong support for Children’s Services corporately which was on a positive and mutually beneficial journey
• The Chair highlighted how positive his visit to the 333 Hub was and suggested when the new was Committee in place, another visit would be beneficial for new Members.  ACTION
• The Committee discussed the support, challenge and learning environment which was being provided to staff within Children’s Services.

The Chair summarised as follows:

• Caseloads
• Terminology
• Unregistered providers
• Culture of council and learning environment

RESOLVED that the Committee note the update.

Report providing provisional attainment data from 2022 public examinations and assessment series in BCP.

The Head of Service, Education Improvement and Services presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'E' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The purpose of the Report was to provide the committee with an oversight of outcomes for young people in BCP.  The Report provided provisional attainment data from 2022 public examinations and assessment series in BCP.

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

• In response to a query, the Committee was advised that there was not much difference between the unvalidated and validated data with no real surprises, however there was some strong priorities around transitions and the gaps and concerns in that area were going to be a focus.
• In response to a query regarding the priorities detailed, the Committee was advised of the proposed work with the schools to ensure a joined-up approach, sharing good practice and the support to drive improvements.
• In response to a query regarding KS2 results, the Committee was advised that overall, the data was above average in all indicators and strengths could be identified on school levels
• In response to a query regarding STEM subjects and the take up for girls, the Committee was advised of the possible reasons for this and the work that was being undertaken to try and promote prominent woman within science, engineering, and finance roles.

The Chair summarised as follows:

• List of priorities and how it can create improvements
• KS2 selection and progress
• Girls and STEM subjects

RESOLVED that the Report be noted.

This report provides a performance update for the period October to December 2022 (Quarter 3 2022-23) for the key performance indicators relating to Children’s Services as detailed in the Corporate Performance Scorecard. 

The Director of Quality, Performance Improvement and Governance presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix ‘F’ to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The report provided a performance update for the period October to December 2022 (Quarter 3 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 comments were made, including:

• In response to a query from an MYP regarding permanent exclusions and the young people who could be disproportionately affected, the Committee was advised of the work of the Education Entitlement Board and the Virtual School to reduce and address the issue
• The Director of Education advised she would provide the Committee with statistics regarding ethnicity data for pupils being permanently excluded.  ACTION
• In response to a query, the Committee was advised that some schools would support students on part time timetables and the reasons for it were detailed.
• In response to a query regarding alternative provision, the Committee was advised there was a review currently underway and the results of that could be shared with the Committee at an appropriate time.  ADD TO THE FORWARD PLAN
• In response to a query regarding young people Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEETs) and start times for colleges, the Committee was advised that attendance would be affected if a young person was waiting for a course to start and that unfortunately the courses could not be joined mid-way through.

The Chair summarised as follows:

• Permanent exclusions and disproportionate representations
• Part time timetables
• NEETs

RESOLVED that the Committee note the report.

To receive a verbal update from the relevant Portfolio Holders

The Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People advised that the Council would soon be entering the pre-election purdah period, however before that the budget needed to be agreed which included a proposed increase of the Children’s Services budget by approximately 20%.

The Portfolio concluded by thanking the Committee for all its work over the last four years.

The Chair read out a statement from the Portfolio Holder for Council Priorities and Delivery which included:

• Five BCP Schools had been accepted onto the Government’s Priority Schools rebuilding programme which would bring significant investments into those schools
• The SEND improvement Board was being refreshed to align with the overall Children’s Services Improvement Strategy
• Thanking the LGA Improvement Advisor for supporting the service through the most recent inspection.

To consider the Committee’s Forward Plan

A Committee Member wanted to ensure that the issue of Child Exploitation continued to be focused on for the next membership of the Committee and would welcome some feedback from the MYPs regarding that issue.

To note the dates of the Committee for the 23/24 Municipal Year as follows:

·       6 June 2023

·       19 September 2023

·       21 November 2023

·       23 January 2024

·       19 March 2024

All with a 6pm start, venues to be confirmed.

The proposed dates of the future meetings were noted.

The Chair took the opportunity to thank the Committee, Portfolio Holders, Officers and Clerk for all their work over the last four years before closing the meeting.