Agenda and minutes
Venue: Committee Room 2, Shire Hall. View directions
Contact: Helen Barnsley Senior Democratic Services Officer
Media
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General Additional documents: |
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Apologies Additional documents: Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Barbara Brown and Marian Humphreys (who was replaced by Councillor Chris Mills). Apologies were recorded for Councillor Jeff Morgan, Portfolio Holder for Children, Families and Education. He was represented at the meeting by Councillor Izzi Seccombe OBE, Leader and Councillor Heather Timms, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Climate an Culture, who along with Councillor Peter Butlin, Deputy Leader, would be covering Councillor Morgan’s portfolio during his absence through ill health. |
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Disclosures of Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary Interests Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Jerry Roodhouse declared an interest in the item on Children and Family Centres Service Review and Early Help Family Support Services, due to his role on the Rugby Advisory Board for Barnardos. |
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Minutes of the Previous Meeting PDF 218 KB Additional documents: Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting held on 16 March 2021 were agreed as a true and accurate record. There were no matters arising. |
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Public Speaking Additional documents: Minutes: None. |
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Question Time Additional documents: |
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Questions to Cabinet Portfolio Holders 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 Children, Families and Education. Additional documents: Minutes: None |
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Updates from Cabinet Portfolio Holders and Assistant Directors Cabinet Portfolio Holders and Assistant Directors are invited to provide any updates they have on issues within the remit of the Committee. Additional documents: Minutes: None |
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ILAC / Ofsted Inspection Outcome and Action Plan PDF 214 KB Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee received an update on the Ofsted inspection report into Children Services. This had rated the services as ‘good’ in all areas. Dan Atkins and Anita Lekhi took members through the report, highlighting the key strengths and specific areas graded as good. The inspectors had noted a number of areas of improvement, which were also reported.
As a result of the inspection the Council had prepared an action plan setting out the steps that would be taken to address the formal recommendations. The action plan, provided as an appendix would be submitted to Cabinet and to Ofsted. The Council was committed to addressing the areas of improvement identified as part of the inspection within the next six months. Actions and improvements would be monitored as part of the quality assurance and performance learning strategy.
Questions and comments were submitted, with responses provided as indicated: · Councillor Roodhouse sought assurances that upcoming targets in the action plan were on track. Dan Atkins reported on progress which was as expected. · Councillor Seccombe stated that the Council was pleased to achieve the ‘good’ rating of the service, especially for the children of Warwickshire. However, the aim was to continue to make progress. She also commented on the areas for improvement and the progress made since the inspection on those areas. In particular she mentioned that the Council was now fully staffed for social workers and in a strong position to move forward to seek an ‘outstanding’ rating for this service. · In response to a question from the Chair, further detail was provided on the multi-agency joint targeted area inspection, including the other services it was linked to. These unannounced inspections tended to be thematic. · Councillor Seccombe added that such partnership inspections were reliant on the achievements of all partners and a proactive approach was taken by the Council.
Resolved
That the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee:
1. Comments as set out above, upon the strengths and areas of improvement identified by the Ofsted inspection report, and
2. Endorses the Action Plan and requests that regular updates on the plan be brought to the Committee.
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Children and Family Centres Service Review and Early Help Family Support Services PDF 398 KB Additional documents:
Minutes: This item was introduced by Marina Kitchen and Jackie Kerby. At the Council meeting on 16March 2021, a motion was approved, that this Committee keep under review the Family Support Workers' service, as part of its on-going performance monitoring. In response to that motion a report was provided, setting out the current position and performance. Background was provided on the 2019 review of early help and the resultant formation of five district/borough locality Early Help and Targeted Support Teams across Warwickshire.
The Children and Family Centre (C&FC) Service was part of the County Council’s “stepped approach” to delivering support. Two providers were commissioned to deliver the service, being Barnardo’s and The Diocese of Coventry Multi-Academy Trust (St. Michael’s). There were 14 core sites.
The detail of the report included sections on:
· Continual service development, with focusses around the family support waiting list, developing a dedicated work-flow consultation line and strengthening the knowledge base of family support workers.
The Committee submitted questions and comments as follows:
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To consider the attached work programme, updated following the meeting of the Chair and Group Spokespersons. The programme includes an update from the Forward Plan showing items relevant to the remit of this Committee. Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee noted and agreed its work programme.
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Any Other Business Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair reminded that a task and finish group had been agreed previously to look at school places and school sufficiency. Members wishing to participate in the review were asked to confirm to the Chair and Democratic Services. Councillor Jill Simpson-Vince had expressed an interest in chairing the review. |
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Date of the next meeting The next meeting has been scheduled for 14 June 2022 @ 10am.
The meeting will be held in Committee Room 2, Shire Hall, Warwick.
Future meetings for 2022/2023 have been scheduled as follows –
· 27 September 2022 @ 10am · 8 November 2022 @ 10am · 14 February 2023 @ 10am · 11 April 2023 @ 10am Additional documents: Minutes: The next meeting had been scheduled for 14 June 2022 at 10am and would be held in Committee Room 2, Shire Hall, Warwick.
Future meetings for 2022/2023 were scheduled for:
· 27 September 2022 at 10am · 8 November 2022 at 10am · 14 February 2023 at 10am · 11 April 2023 at 10am
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