Agenda item

To consider the Annual Children’s Services Report presented by the Director of Children’s Services

(time – 10 minutes)

The report of the Director of Children’s Services was presented by Paul Brennan (Deputy Director of Children’s Services). The report provided a six monthly update. The report informed the Area Committee about local outcomes for children and young people and aimed to support the involvement of the Area Committee in improving outcomes by providing an update on the work of the directorate and the Leeds Children’s Trust, including local children’s cluster arrangements.  The progress made against local and national agendas was also highlighted. The report summarised performance at Area Committee level with a broader acknowledgement of City wide performance. Key issues for Children’s Services were highlighted and included Ofsted inspection, basic need and child friendly city.

Gillian Mayfield (Targeted Services Area Lead (ENE)) was also in attendance to answer questions from the Members.

The Targeted Services Area Lead told the Committee that attendance in primary schools within the East Inner area has declined and remained steady at secondary schools. Both attendance rates are the lowest across all area committees. Work is ongoing to raise attendance levels in the East Inner area and the officer asked Committee Members in their capacity as school governors to challenge attendance particularly as governors at Academies as limited performance information is passed to Children’s Services from Academies. Members were told of a change in the law in relation to taking holidays during term time and the Government initiative in the use of fixed penalty notices. Letters are to be sent from Children’s Services informing all parents of the changes.

The rising child population in Leeds will require over the next three school years (2014-2016), 50 additional forms of entry, with 22 of these additional forms of entry required for 2014. Consultation will take place through the clusters representatives to identify need and locations within the community for expanding and building new schools.

There has been no overall change in the primary schools in the East Inner Area Committee area rated as good or better by Ofsted. Six remain rated as satisfactory / requires improvement.  One secondary schools in the area (E-ACT Leeds East Academy) is now rated as inadequate, steps have been taken, the Principal from West Leeds Academy being brought in to oversee improvement plans. Only one of the four secondary schools is rated as good. The one Children’s home in the East Inner area committee area remains adequate.

The East Inner area has the highest number of looked after children across the city. More children are subject to a child protection plan in June 2013 than June 2012. More CAFs have been initiated in the East Inner area committee area than any other area committee in the first three months of 201/13.

The Percentage of ‘not known’ young people in the Inner East area has reduced however the percentage of young people identified as NEET has risen. Targeted support officers mean that the NEET cohort is better informed and supported in trying to access education, employment or training.

RESOLVED – Members noted the content of the report and asked to be kept informed on localised issues.

Cllr. Hyde left the meeting at 18:15 returning at 18:16 during this item.