Agenda and minutes

CO-OPTED MEMBER (VOTING)

Mr A Graham – Church representative (Church of England)

Ms J Ward – Parent Governor Representative (Secondary)

Ms K Blacker – Parent Governor Representative (Primary)

CO-OPTED MEMBERS (NON-VOTING)

Ms C Foote – School Staff Representative

Ms H Bellamy – School Staff Representative

Ms L Whitaker - Young Lives Leeds

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 25* of the Access to Information Procedure Rules (in the event of an Appeal the press and public will be excluded).

(* In accordance with Procedure Rule 25, notice of an appeal must be received in writing by the Head of Governance Services at least 24 hours before the meeting).

There were no appeals.

1.  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

2.  To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

3.  If so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:

No exempt items have been identified.

There were no exempt items.

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)

There were no late items.

To disclose or draw attention to any interests in accordance with Leeds City Council’s ‘Councillor Code of Conduct’.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J Senior and H Bithell. Councillor J Lennox was in attendance as substitute.

Co-opted Member Tony Britten also submitted his apologies.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 13^th October 2021.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held 13^th October 2021 be approved as an accurate record.

To receive a report from the Head of Democratic Services which presents information relevant to part two (session one) of the Scrutiny Board’s ongoing Inquiry into Exclusions, Elective Home Education and Off-rolling.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report that presented information relevant to part two (session one) of the Scrutiny Board’s ongoing Inquiry into Exclusions, Elective Home Education and Off-rolling.

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor Fiona Venner, Executive Member for Adult and Children’s Social Care and Health Partnerships

-  Julie Longworth, Deputy Director of Children and Families

-  Tim Pouncey, Chief Officer Resources and Strategy

-  Dave Clark, Head of Service, Learning Improvement

-  Val Waite, Head of Service, Learning Inclusion

-  Barbara Temple, Elective Home Education Lead

The Head of Service for Learning Inclusion introduced the report and provided an initial general overview of attendance across local schools as well as a more detailed overview of the data and trends relating to elective home education (EHE) and the duties of the local authority in terms of safeguarding and monitoring young people who are home educated. Members were advised that notification of intentions to EHE has increased significantly since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a particular increase in whole families choosing to home educate and citing anxieties associated with COVID-19 as their primary reasoning for doing so.

Members discussed a number of matters, including:

·  Proportion of school age population that are EHE. In response to a query, Members were advised that the proportion of school age population currently home educated is approximately 0.5%.

·  Reasoning for EHE. Members were advised that parents do not have to provide a reason on the initial letter of notification. Where this is provided, there is often more than one reason for the decision but only one can be recorded. Caseworkers are also focused on updating this information after they have spoken to parents.

·  Professional guidance. Members queried whether parents have the right to professional guidance, and were advised that the local authority provide general advice and guidance, which some families choose to engage in. However, there are no current duties set out in legislation for local authorities to provide specialised advice and guidance. In addition, it was noted that while access to services provided through school clusters are not available to families who home educate, they can still access a range of services, such as Mindmate, with information on this provided on the Leeds Offer.

·  Examination and qualifications. In response to a query, it was confirmed that there is no duty for young people to take any formal examinations whilst home educated, and any examinations taken are at the expense of the family. It was noted that, in 2018, the local authority submitted concerns about the overall legislation for EHE as part of the national DfE consultation. Members requested that the response to this consultation be provided to the Board, if available. Members were also advised that the local authority do not receive the data for examinations taken by home educated children as parents make individual arrangements for this that are not shared with the EHE team. Members expressed concern about the local authorities’ ability to monitor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

To receive a report from the Director of Children and Families which presents an update on government guidance for GCSE and A-Level exams for 2022/ 2023.

The Director of Children and Families submitted a report that presented an update on government guidance for GCSE and A-Level exams for 2022/ 2023.

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor Fiona Venner, Executive Member for Adult and Children’s Social Care and Health Partnerships

-  Julie Longworth, Deputy Director of Children and Families

-  Tim Pouncey, Chief Officer Resources and Strategy

-  Dave Clark, Head of Service, Learning Improvement

-  Val Waite, Head of Service, Learning Inclusion

The Head of Service for Learning Improvement introduced the report and provided an update on the changes announced by the Department for Education to the plans for GCSE and A-Level Exams in 2022/23. It was noted that such clarity was being provided to schools at a much earlier stage than last year.

Members requested further detail regarding the number of resit exams that have been taken in the COVID-19 period, and of those resits, how many achieved the required grading.

The Chair noted that Members previous comments had been addressed within the update and therefore a working group meeting to discuss the matter in further detail would not be required.  However, it was agreed that the Board will continue to maintain a watching brief.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That the information requested during discussions be circulated to Members.

To receive a report from the Director of Children and Families which invites the Scrutiny Board to consider and provide any comment on the new, revised SEND and Inclusion Strategy prior to it being finalised.

The Director of Children and Families submitted a report that invited the Scrutiny Board to consider and provide any comment on the new, revised SEND and Inclusion Strategy prior to it being finalised.

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor Fiona Venner, Executive Member for Adult and Children’s Social Care and Health Partnerships

-  Julie Longworth, Deputy Director of Children and Families

-  Tim Pouncey, Chief Officer Resources and Strategy

-  Dave Clark, Head of Service, Learning Improvement

-  Val Waite, Head of Service, Learning Inclusion

The Head of Service for Learning Inclusion introduced the new strategy, providing an overview of the development of the six priorities set out and the steps taken to deliver the best outcomes for children and young people with additional needs.

Members discussed a number of matters, including:

·  Supporting SEND young people into employment. Members were advised that one of the six priorities of the Strategy is focused on the continuum of provision which includes post-16 learners and opportunities through supported internships and apprenticeships. In welcoming these opportunities, Members emphasised the importance of those young people also receiving appropriate pay while on such placements, regardless of subsequent opportunities for paid employment.

·  Capacity to deliver the new strategy. Members recognised that historically SEND provision has been underfunded and is still underfunded.  Linked to this, Members discussed the impact of the National Funding Formula and the cap on the High Needs Block of the Dedicated Schools Grant.  Capacity and funding was highlighted as a barrier to actioning the Strategy and Members were advised that the local authority SEND and Inclusion teams are significantly under capacity to meet the growing demands.  However, it was highlighted that the Strategy is a joint strategy across social care and health and not just the sole responsibility of learning within the Children and Families directorate.  

In conclusion, the Scrutiny Board collectively endorsed the new revised SEND and Inclusion Strategy 2021 and the Chair suggested that the Board maintains a watching brief surrounding the implementation of the Strategy.  It was therefore proposed that a formal update be brought back to Scrutiny within 12 months.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report, along with Members comments, be noted.

b)  To note that the Scrutiny Board (Children and Families) collectively endorses the new revised SEND and Inclusion Strategy 2021.

c)  That an update on the Strategy is brought back to Scrutiny within the next 12 months.

To receive a report from the Director of Children and Families which invites the Scrutiny Board to consider and provide any comment on the refreshed 3As Plan prior to it being finalised.

The Director of Children and Families submitted a report that invited the Scrutiny Board to consider and provide any comment on the refreshed 3As Plan prior to it being finalised.

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor Fiona Venner, Executive Member for Adult and Children’s Social Care and Health Partnerships

-  Julie Longworth, Deputy Director of Children and Families

-  Tim Pouncey, Chief Officer Resources and Strategy

-  Dave Clark, Head of Service, Learning Improvement

-  Val Waite, Head of Service, Learning Inclusion

The Head of Service for Learning Improvement introduced the draft refreshed 3 A’s plan, outlining the process to identify the five priorities and how Children and Families Services will focus work to support education settings to support all children and young people’s learning.

Members discussed a number of matters, including:

·  In relation to Priority 1 (Action 1) within the Plan, Members identified the need to make clear that the performance indicator relating to 100 reading deep dive reviews being carried out by the end of the academic year 2021/22, refers to 100 schools and not individuals.

·  Reference was made to Priority 4 of the Plan which states that all children and staff working in learning settings are supported with their wellbeing.  Members felt this was particularly significant given the impact of Covid-19, particularly in relation to those individuals dealing with Long Covid symptoms and still requiring support as part of their recovery.

·  Members recognised the need to engage effectively with other directorates and partners in terms of implementing the 3As Plan successfully.

In conclusion, the Scrutiny Board collectively endorsed the refreshed 3As Plan and the Chair suggested that the Board also maintains a watching brief surrounding the implementation of this Plan.  It was therefore proposed that a formal update be brought back to Scrutiny within 12 months.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report, along with Members comments, be noted.

b)  To note that the Scrutiny Board (Children and Families) collectively endorses the refreshed 3As Plan.

c)  That an update on the 3As Plan is brought back to Scrutiny within the next 12 months.

To consider the Scrutiny Board’s work schedule for the 2021/22 municipal year.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report that presented the draft work schedule for the forthcoming municipal year.

The Deputy Director for Children and Families also provided an update on action taken in response to the Ofsted Focused Visit Improvement Plan, including progress made in relation to partner attendance at strategy discussions.

The Principal Scrutiny Advisor also informed the Board that there had been a request made by the Children and Families Directorate for the Scrutiny Board to receive the annual report of the Leeds Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education. It was proposed by the Chair that the latest annual report be brought to Scrutiny in February or March to provide an opportunity for members to be aware of, and ask questions about, matters relating to religious education in the city, as well as providing the opportunity for the Board to offer any views and perspectives that they would like the Advisory Council to recognise in the current and future years, so ensuring a 'joining up' of priorities. Moving forward, it was proposed that this remains an annual feature of the Board’s work schedule.

RESOLVED – That the work schedule be updated to reflect requests made during the meeting.

Wednesday, 26^th January 2022 at 10 am (Pre-meeting for Board Members at 9.45 am)

Wednesday, 26th January 2022 at 10 am (Pre-meeting for Board Members at 9.45 am)