Agenda item

To consider a report of the Director of Children’s Services providing the meeting with an update on Children’s Services developments.

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report updating the meeting on Children’s Services developments.

The report provided a summary of performance at Area Committee level with a broader summary of city level performance and built on previous reports with additional local context and tracking of local indicators.

The following representatives were in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments:-

-  Nigel Richardson, Director of Children’s Services

-  Gillian Mayfield, Targeted Services Area Lead (ENE), Children’s Services

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

·  Performance Data for Outer North East Area Committee (Appendix 1 refers)

·  Individual School Foundation Stage and Key Stage results 2012 (Appendix 2 refers)

·  Individual School Key Stage 4 Results 2012 (Appendix 3 refers)

·  Clusters – Member Leads; Cluster Chairs; Cluster Managers; LAPs

  (Appendix 4 refers)

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report and appendices

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

·  Clarification as to why the forward plan with regards to cluster funding was published immediately after the Special Area Committee meeting on 6^th March 2014

(The Director of Children’s Services responded and outlined the reasons why the forward plan was published late. He apologised for the late publication of this document)

·  Clarification of the implications of cluster funding

(The Director of Children’s Services responded and outlined the procedures in relation to producing a financial case prior to releasing the monies)

·  The concerns were raised in relation to the funding for the targeted aspect of the Youth Service review and the disparity this would bring across the Area Committees

·  Clarification of how the Wetherby (EPOSS) cluster was performing and also within the North East Outer ward

(The Director of Children’s Services responded and outlined the measures in place. He stated that more could be done with regards to sharing of best practice between clusters and this work was being developed. Reference was also made to the positive work being undertaken by the newly appointed post of Targeted Leader whose role was in part to ensure improving communications across the clusters)

·  Clarification of the future of Eastmoor and why the private sector schools such as  Gateways were not included in the data

(The Director of Children’s Services responded and confirmed that Eastmoor would be undergoing a period of refurbishment works following a recent funding injection. He agreed to supply the Area Committee with more details on this issue via the East North East Area Leader. In relation to Gateways, he agreed that best practice could be found in all sectors of education provision in the city)

·  Clarification of the current position in relation to the Firtrees School site

(The Director of Children’s Services responded and agreed to supply the Area Committee with more details on this issue via the East North East Area Leader)

·  The concerns expressed about the questions and challenges facing cluster funding and NEETS within the new financial year

·  The need to address the increased family case work load in relation to Alwoodley Children’s Centre and the limited resources in this area.

(The Director of Children’s Services responded and agreed to supply the Area Committee with more details on this issue via the East North East Area Leader)

·  Clarification if there was any merits in adding the NEETS and the figures of those children who were unknown together

·  Clarification of the figures in relation to the Families First Leeds programme and the commencement date of the scheme.

(The Director of Children’s Services confirmed that the first cohort of families were confirmed in September 2012 and the 135 households where positive outcomes were achieved related to the first claim for payment by results in January 2013)

·  Clarification of the number of Leeds children who had been placed in private homes within the North East (Outer) ward

(The Director of Children’s Services responded and agreed to supply the Area Committee with more details on this issue via the East North East Area Leader)

·  Clarification of  Aberford C of E Primary School’s figures in relation Foundation Stage and Key Stage 2 results in 2012

(The Director of Children’s Services responded and agreed to supply the Area Committee with more details on this issue via the East North East Area Leader)

·  Clarification of the definition of persistently absent

(The Director of Children’s Services confirmed that this was when attendance fell below 85%)

In concluding discussions, the East North East Area Leader welcomed the additional resources of funding for Area Committees in relation to Children’s Services and agreed that the Families First approach was an opportunity that could change the way partners worked in the future, particularly in the  support provided those families in difficulty.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That the Director of Children’s Services be requested to forward case study summaries to Members of the Committee for their information/retention in relation to working with families to:-

-  Improve school attendance

-  Reduce the need for children to be looked after

-  Reduce the need for children to be on a child protection plan

c)  That approval be given in principle, to providing financial support, on a case by case basis, to young people wanting to access the National Citizen Service programme who were unable to self-fund and that this Committee notes that the Director of Children’s Services would come back on this issue at a later date.