Agenda and minutes

Before the meeting started, the Chair announced that he had received correspondence from Marion Plant, Chief Executive of the MAT, following the October meeting of the Committee.  Ms Plant felt that some of the comments made during the meeting by members of the Committee were unfair and inaccurate.  The Chair confirmed that he had acknowledged the correspondence and shared it with all the members of the Committee; who will have the chance to meet with the MAT team at a future committee meeting.

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The minutes of the meeting held on the 17^th November 2020 were agreed as a true and accurate record.

There were no matters arising.

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Up to 30 minutes of the meeting are available for members of the Children & Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee to put questions to the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Education and Learning and Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services.

The work programme attached lists any briefings circulated to the Committee since the last meeting and any items listed in the Council’s Forward Plan for decision by Cabinet or individual Cabinet Portfolio Holders over the coming months.

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Cabinet Portfolio Holders and Assistant Directors are invited to provide any updates they have on issues within the remit of the Committee.

Councillor Jeff Morgan provided the following updates to the Committee –

·         A planning application has been submitted for a new Children’s Home in Stratford upon Avon.  The home will be OFSTED regulatory and accommodate four children (up to 12 years’ old)

·         Children and Family Services are continuing to manage demand during the pandemic.  However, there are a number of children in care out of the county (although this number has not increased during the pandemic).  There are over 800 children in care at present and does include unaccompanied young asylum seekers.  It was noted that following a recent and successful recruitment campaign by the Council for social workers, the average case load is not under 16 cases per worker.

·         Councillor Morgan recommended that the Committee members look online for kooth.com; which is an online platform designed for children and young people with mental health issues.  The platform is used by a number of local authorities and has had a positive impact on those using it; providing 24/7 access to help and support to some of the most vulnerable children and young people.

Bern Timings, Education Capital, Sufficiency and Admissions Lead Commissioner presented the report to the Committee which includes the process and planning of school places within the county.  The Committee noted that significant housing development across Warwickshire is leading to an increase in demand for school places.  Members noted that transparency in the process was a key part of the strategy and in particular when working with schools and members.  It was noted that working with academies, who control their own admissions and pupil numbers was also part of the strategy.

Councillor Margaret Bell noted that the process is extremely complex and asked how many temporary classrooms were in use across Warwickshire.  The Council seem able to deal with bulge classes well, but when there is an additional class in primary schools, this is not fed through into planning for high school places; ultimately resulting in the council paying for temporary classrooms and an extension.  Bern Timings confirmed that capital projects often have unforeseen delays, but the example given by Councillor Bell in relation to extra classes was as a result of a lack of planning ahead.  It was agreed by officers and Members that capital forward planning must be right from the start.  Councillor Bell suggested that moving forward the Committee monitor the use of temporary classrooms and the costs involved.

In relation to parental preference; the Committee noted that this can be difficult, when parents request places at schools that are not local/nearest to them.  Part of the work currently underway is to ensure that existing schools remain viable.  The admissions code makes it clear that if a first choice can’t be met, then a place at the nearest school will be offered; and the Council follow national guidance for this and reviews trends each year. 

Nationally, there are issues with mid-year moves; especially in view of the continued increase in new housing developments.

Officers review and revise the forecasting predications each year.  The DfE record ‘score cards’ each year and the council is ahead of where we need to be – which is better than being under in terms of places.

The Committee agreed that the discussion and questions highlighted just how complex the process is and thanks officers for the report.  It was agreed that the Committee would be regularly kept up to date with the strategy.

Resolved

That the Children & Young People Overview & Scrutiny Committee comment on the existing processes and methodology used to formulate the Education Sufficiency Strategy and identify areas for further discussion or where value can be added.

Ross Caws, Strategy and Commissioning Lead (SEND), presented the report to the Committee highlighting the work of the recent Task and Finish Group.

The Committee noted that the group had met four time and had strong discussions and debate which resulted in twelve recommendations (section three of the attached report).  It was noted that some of the recommendations link directly to the current programme.  Councillor Pam Williams commented that she had found it to be a very useful and productive group and thanked all those who had been involved.

Councillor Jonathan Chilvers asked if those who had been involved now felt more confident that the Council can now meet the increase need in SEND.  The Chair stated that he absolutely felt more confident, which was supported by Councillor Pam Williams.  The group had worked together well and there was a complete consensus about all twelve of the recommendations.

Councillor Margaret Bell added that they key issue would be to support the schools so that they can support SEND pupils.  The Committee agreed that it was vital to keep checking in with teachers, and parents, to see how things are going and that it is all moving forward positively. 

Resolved

That the Committee approve the recommendations of the task and finish group set out in Section 3 of the report.

Anita Lekhi, Technical Specialist - Performance and Evaluation, introduced the Committee to the initiative for Warwickshire to become child friendly.  The Committee learnt that “a child friendly city, town or community is committed to improving the lives of children, and is a place where the voices, needs, priorities and rights of children are fundamental in decisions”.

The aim of the initiative is that all children in Warwickshire are –

·         safe and secure

·         happy and healthy

·         live stable lives

·         able to enjoy learning and have employment opportunities

·         involved in decisions that shape services that impact their lives.

The initiative is being led by the Council’s Children and Families Services but with the aim that everyone in the Council will become involved, recogning the key role that children have in the county.  The initiative comes from Leeds City Council, who introduced theirs some years ago and who are recognised as an outstanding local authority in this area.

The following points were noted –

·         The initiative will involve taking to children and young people via surveys and virtual workshops to see what they would like.

·         A brand will be created to share and promote Child Friendly Warwickshire across the county.

·         Communication will not only be within the Council, but also with all partners, local communities, and businesses.

Following a question from Councillor Jeff Morgan, Daniel Atkins, Advanced Practitioner, gave an explanation of Restorative Practice; highlighting that it is about how Warwickshire County Council works with colleagues, partners, children and families.  The practice recognises that relationships are at the heart of everything that the Council does, and this initiative puts the child at the centre.  Restorative Practice relationships are about supporting and challenging each other to avoid any ‘blockages’ to the process.  In simple terms, it is about restoring family relationships.

The Chair asked how important officers feel it is to install a sense of resilience in young people; to encourage them to take responsibility.  Nigel Minns, Strategic Director suggested that each generation faces different challenges, perhaps none more so than the current generation facing the pandemic.  Child Friendly Warwickshire will support independence and it will be a key part of the work done; recognising that it is important to do things ‘with’ children and young people, and not ‘for’ or ‘to’ them.

Resolved

That the Committee endorse the Child Friendly Warwickshire initiative and action plan

To consider the enclosed work programme, updated following the meeting of the Chair and Group Spokespersons.

The programme includes an update from the Forward Plan showing items relveant to the remit of this Committee.

The work programme as per the attached report was noted and agreed by the Committee.

It was agreed that any items Members wished to be added to the work programme should be emailed through to the Chair or Democratic Services to be discussed at Chair and Spokes meetings.

The next meeting has been scheduled for 20 April 2021 at 10am.

The meeting will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams.

 Meetings for 2021/2022 have been scheduled as follows –

·         15 June 2021

·         28 September 2021

·         16 November 2021

·         8 February 2022

·         11 April 2022

The next meeting will be held on the 20^th April 2021, at 10am.

The meeting will be held via Microsoft Teams.

Reports Containing Confidential or Exempt Information To consider passing the following resolution: That members of the public be excluded from the meeting for the items mentioned below on the grounds that their presence would involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Resolved

That members of the public be excluded from the meeting for the items mentioned below on the grounds that their presence would involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Resolved

That the Committee note the briefing and supporting documents including the new 3-year Strategic Plan from Midlands Academy Trust MAT regarding the progress and performance of the Trust.