Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Yousef Dahmash (Chair) and Jeff Morgan (Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services). An apology was also received from John Coleman, Assistant Director, Children and Families.

None

That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 June 2019 are approved as a

correct record and signed by the Chair.

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To consider how health and wellbeing of staff and pupils is being supported in schools - Report enclosed.

Kate Sahota, Commissioning Lead for Health Improvement introduced this item. As part of its Public Health duties, Warwickshire County Council commissioned a healthy child programme, which was delivered through the School Health and Wellbeing Service (SHWBS) by a third sector organisation, Compass. The SHWBS was confidential and freely available for all school-aged children and young people, their families and carers. It delivered preventative and universal public health programmes in schools across the county, as well as in other locations. The team of school nurses, community staff nurses, healthcare support workers and administrators, operated out of three area administrative hubs. Details were provided of the core SHWBS activities. A needs assessment undertaken in 2014 made 15 key recommendations for the commissioning of the service. The SHWBS

had undergone significant change following the previous commissioning exercise.

Of the 15 recommendations, 13 had been implemented fully, with two still being in progress. In addition, an audit had assessed how well the service was delivering against the current specification and the framework of the Healthy Child Programme. Of the 51 areas, there was evidence to demonstrate achievement of 49, with a further two requiring additional evidence. Public Health had completed a comprehensive review of the service delivery model, to establish the impact of the changes and help shape future service delivery as part of the new contract, from 1 November 2019. This had included a public consultation with parents, carers, schools and key stakeholders. Service delivery was monitored through quarterly performance reporting and contract meetings, with annual reports summarising the progress made on key priorities. An example of this was provided in an extract of a previous annual report.

In terms of future service delivery, six priorities had been identified for the

commissioning of the new service from 1 November 2019 which concerned:

• Robust communication methods being developed and implemented

• Mental and emotional health and wellbeing

• The rising number of hospital admissions as a result of self-harm

• School readiness

• Positive lifestyle choices

• Revising the service specification to incorporate the recommendations from

the most recent national documents relating to commissioning of age 5-19

Public Health Services.

Nationally, six high impact areas had been identified as the most important areas to focus on, in order to maximise positive health and wellbeing outcomes for children and young people. These were detailed in the report, together with the key elements of the revised service from November 2019, showing the proposed service level and core activities. The service would continue to be monitored through contract meetings and the publication of annual reports as a continuation of the existing arrangements. The financial implications of the new contract were reported.

The following questions and comments were submitted by members with responses provided as indicated:

• The qualifications of practitioners. These comprised specialist community

public health and staff nurses and family intervention workers.

• How the service was publicised and levels of awareness amongst pupils and

their parents, for example of how to access the service.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To update the Committee on progress with SEND. This will include the outcome of the service’s self-evaluation and latest performance data - Report enclosed.

Jane Carter, Disability and Professional Practice Manager introduced this item. In April 2019, Cabinet approved the SEND and Inclusion Strategy for the period 2019- 2023. This formed part of the strategic framework of the Warwickshire Education Strategy and replaced the Vulnerable Learners Strategy 2015-2018. The Strategy was co-produced and identified six priority areas. It was supported by a delivery plan and workstreams involving stakeholders. The strategy had been communicated via meetings and conferences, as well as through the distribution of a leaflet. It was monitored by the SEND and Inclusion Board.

The SEND Code of Practice 2015 set out the statutory framework and expectations, which included an expectation regarding education, health and care (EHC) plans. In July 2019, 4,090 children and young people had EHC plans in Warwickshire, which was an increase from 2,781 in 2014. A section of the report outlined performance across the SEND system. It included key activities and performance measures, which were summarised in the report with further information and data provided in an appendix.

The areas reported on were:

• Promoting Inclusion

• Getting it right for learners with high needs (school age)

• Improving health and social care for learners with SEND

• Preparing for adulthood

• Transport

• Workforce development

The report outlined plans for a peer review and an expected inspection of the SEND service. Warwickshire was one of four local authorities in the West Midlands yet to receive its SEND local area inspection. The inspection would take place by March 2021. So far, 45 of 91 inspections had resulted in a ‘Written Statement of Action’. The County Council had prepared for its inspection through regular updates to portfolio holders, strategic directors and the SEND & Inclusion Board. The key document for inspection was the local self-evaluation.

This was reviewed on a termly basis by the SEND & Inclusion Board. A peer review had been invited to focus on planning for EHC plans and the preparation for adulthood arrangements. This took place on 19 -20 September 2019. A verbal update was given, and the peer review had provided a useful rehearsal ahead of the inspection. The financial implications were reported. The implementation of the SEND & Inclusion Strategy was from within existing budgets across education, health and social care. The financial pressures on SEND were well documented nationally. The current forecast was that the high needs block was forecast to overspend by £4.3m 2019-06-18 CYP OSC minutes Page 5 of 12 in 2019/20, with a medium-term view that overspend would peak at £13.3m in 2021/22. In the government spending review 2019, a further £700m of funding would be provided nationally for high needs in 2020/21, although detail was awaited on the allocation for Warwickshire.

The Committee was reminded that the SEND Implementation Grant, with a current allocation of £261k over two years, was due to end in March 2020. Following a staffing restructure in Education Services, responsibility for mainstream and SEN transport had been separated. Forecast spend for SEN transport was over £9m. This was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The Committee requested an update on the School Improvement Strategy - Report enclosed.

Ian Budd, Assistant Director for Education Services and Sophie Thompson, Intervention Data and Project Management Officer presented a report on the Nuneaton Education Strategy (NES). This sought to highlight the need for a new approach in raising the aspirations and outcomes for children and young people in Nuneaton. The report ‘Performance in Bedworth and Nuneaton Schools’ had identified a number of concerns, with extracts being reported. Notably, Nuneaton had the lowest educational performance within the County and the lowest proportion of category A and B schools. Currently 44% of secondary school aged young people attended a school in the town judged by Ofsted to require improvement. Other points concerned the increasing pupil cohorts, the suggestion that some eligible Nuneaton families were not claiming free school meals and concerns regarding primary schools and three secondary schools in Nuneaton. Additionally, the data relating to engagement with the Youth Justice Service and teenage pregnancies were of concern. The key focus of the NES was ‘raising aspiration, working together.’ A proposed multi-agency approach would have the maximum impact, using the Bradford Education Covenant as a model. That approach sought to mobilise the whole community to play a part in helping young people to succeed in life. In order to maximise opportunity to raise aspiration, linkage with the Transforming Nuneaton Programme Board and regeneration within the town were considered to be key. Three scoping meetings of key stakeholders had begun to work as ‘task and finish’ groups. The focus of these groups was reported. Progress reports would be provided on a termly basis to the Education Challenge Board and Warwickshire Education Strategy Board. Detailed briefings for elected members were scheduled for September and October. The aims of local education strategies were to increase the wellbeing, aspirations and outcomes for learners.

In Warwickshire this built on the evaluation of previous strategies and initiatives. The importance was stated of effective leadership, networking and collaboration, system leadership roles and sustainability, together with rich data and shared learning. An outline was given of the proposed actions to reduce the number of underperforming schools. Bespoke solutions were important both in tackling the specific issues faced and giving school leaders and staff a sense of ownership. There were benefits for the wider school workforce where they were equipped, encouraged and successes were celebrated. It was proposed to facilitate conferences, schools working together in small groups and sharing outstanding practice that others could visit and learn from. Actions to improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils included working in clusters to share effective multi-agency practice, support for tuition, working with parents and involving pupils in leadership programmes.

The following questions and comments were submitted by members with responses provided as indicated:

• There were concerns about the proportion of pupils attending schools in Bedworth, but especially in Nuneaton that required improvement.

• There had been previous meetings with Marion Plant of the Midlands Academy Trust (MAT) where several assurances had been made, but not delivered. It was considered that a further meeting should  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6A       Questions to Cabinet Portfolio Holders

Up to 30 minutes of the meeting are available for members of the Committee to put questions to the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Education and Learning and Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Children Services on any matters relevant to the remit of the Committee.

The enclosed report 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.

6B       Updates from Cabinet Portfolio Holders/Heads of Service

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

Councillor Gissane asked Councillor Hayfield for an update on the school transport issue raised at the previous meeting. The Portfolio Holder advised that the criteria had been revisited for a number of schools. School transport issues were a significant area which the Committee may wish to revisit, both for mainstream and specialist schools, in terms of cost savings targets. Ian Budd offered to share the learning in terms of transport policy changes. Providing clear communication on entitlement and the dates that applications needed to be submitted by were important aspects. The policy could not be changed fundamentally without formal consultation. There would always be some people that were just outside the area of entitlement for free school transport.

Councillor Gissane advised that some parents were not aware of the transport policy changes. Bus services were charging an annual fee of £400 and pupils could no longer use services on an ad-hoc basis. Ian Budd reiterated the plans to overhaul the information provided via the website to make it clearer.

Councillor Gilbert asked that the relationship and sex education strategy be brought to the Committee, particularly in view of the ‘all about me’ programme. Reference was also made to the recent workshop delivered and whether this could be repeated for the Committee. It was asked if the delivery of this education requirement was balanced and appropriate.

Nigel Minns provided an update on the recent inaccurate and misleading press reporting of teacher training materials. The press article had described them as teaching materials for children, which was not the case. These materials would never be used for children. The programme was evidence-based and in accord with national guidelines, being broadly similar to the programme run successfully for the previous six years. The Council had decided to further review these resources and temporarily removed them from its website. A further briefing for members after this review would be appropriate.

Councillor Gilbert spoke of the need to look at this educational tool to ensure it was not too broad, that it was delivered appropriately, consistently and at the right time. It was agreed that the item would come back to the Committee. Councillor Hayfield wanted to ensure that teachers were happy with the training materials too. It was important to get this area of teaching correct. There was a process of consultation and rigorous training for staff delivering the subject. Officers would advise when the review had been completed. Councillor Skinner advised that a headteacher and her family had been threatened as a result of the misleading press article. Officers confirmed that there was continued support for the member of staff on a daily basis from both the Council and other agencies.

Sean Taylor asked for an update on the mental health trailblazer programme. Becky Hale understood that the trailblazer training had been delivered and she would provide a written update after the meeting. Mr Taylor also wanted to get some momentum for the workload charter, which was a way of demonstrating to staff  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

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

Nigel Minns introduced this item. The One Organisational Plan (OOP) quarterly performance progress report for the period 1 April to 30 June 2019 was considered and approved by Cabinet at its meeting on 12 September 2019. That report provided an overview of progress of the key elements of the OOP, in relation to performance against key business measures (KBMs), strategic risks and workforce management. A separate financial monitoring report for the period covering both the revenue and capital budgets, reserves and delivery of the savings plan was presented and considered at the same Cabinet meeting.

This report focussed on information extracted from both Cabinet reports to provide the information relevant to this Committee’s remit. A strategic context and performance commentary was provided. Of the 58 KBMs, 12 were in the remit of the committee. At the quarter one position, 75% (9) of KBMs were currently on track and achieving target and there were several measures reported where performance was of particular note. Two KBMs were not on track and behind target. However, both were projected to be improving over the next reporting period. A section of the report presented KBMs where significant good performance or areas of concern needed to be highlighted. Performance for all other measures was included in an appendix. The relevant finance information from the Cabinet report was also provided, both for revenue and capital, detailing the performance thresholds and delivery of the 2017- 20 savings plan.

The following questions and comments were submitted, with responses provided as indicated:

• Councillor Davies asked for an update on recruitment and retention of social workers and whether anything else could be done to assist with this. Nigel Minns advised that Warwickshire had the best data on social workers in the West Midlands, with the fewest agency staff and lowest number of vacancies. The turnover rate hadn’t improved significantly in the last year but was much improved on previous years. A new social worker retention strategy had been introduced recently.

• Councillor Chilvers asked about the average numbers of caseloads per social worker, which had reduced from 19.8 in June to 18.8 currently. The case volume did decrease at this time of year as newly qualified social workers commenced casework.

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

Members noted the work programme as submitted.

At the discretion of the Chair, items may be raised which are considered urgent (please notify Democratic Services in advance of the meeting).

The Committee recorded its thanks to Janet Purcell for her support and wished her well for the future.

The next meeting has been scheduled for 10.00 am on 26 November 2019, Shire Hall, Warwick.

It was noted that the next scheduled meeting would take place at 10.00 am on 24 September 2019, Shire Hall, Warwick.

The Committee rose at 12:20 p.m.

                                                                            ………………………….. Chair