Agenda and minutes

Co-opted Members (Voting)

Mr E A Britten - Church Representative (Catholic)

Mr A Graham – Church representative (Church of England)

Mrs J Ward – Parent Governor Representative (Secondary)

Co-opted Members (Non-Voting)

Ms C Foote – School Staff Representative

Ms H Bellamy - School Staff Representative

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 interests.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors A Marshall-Katung, Z Hussain, H Bithell and S Lay. Councillors J Dowson, P Wray and K Brooks were in attendance as substitutes.

Apologies were also received from co-opted members Laura Whitaker and Kate Blacker.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Children and Families Scrutiny Board meeting held on 8^th September 2021.

To also note for information the note of the Children and Families Scrutiny Board consultative meeting held on 15^th September 2021.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the minutes of the meeting held on 8^th September 2021 be approved as an accurate record.

(b)  That the note of the consultative meeting held on 15^th September 2021 be noted.

To receive a report from the Director of Children and Families which presents the new Leeds Youth Justice Plan 2021 – 24 for the Board’s consideration.

The Director of Children and Families submitted a report that presented the new Leeds Youth Justice Plan 2021 – 24 for the Board’s consideration.

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Executive Member for Economy, Culture and Education

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

-  Sal Tariq, Director of Children and Families

-  Ruth Terry, Chief Officer for Social Work

The Executive Member for Adult and Children’s Social Care and Health Partnerships introduced the report, drawing attention to the outcomes of a recent inspection which largely supported the preventative approach and practice in Leeds to reduce youth offending, but also found that black and minority ethnic (BAME) boys and young men in custody often have had no contact with services prior to sentencing.

Members discussed a number of matters, including:

·  Identification of at-risk young people. In recognition of the need to target at-risk groups of young people, such as BAME boys and children looked after, Members queried the methods in place to identify at-risk young people at the earliest opportunity. Members were advised that early help teams help to identify children at risk, and strong links exist between the Youth Justice Board and schools. Members were advised that the Equality and Diversity Strategic Group is also focusing on the steps to be taken to ensure that systemic disproportionality is addressed across the system. It was also confirmed that the Corporate Parenting Board includes police representation to support early identification and support for children looked after at risk of youth offending. 

·  Consulting the views of the Corporate Parenting Board. The Scrutiny Board suggested that the Corporate Parenting Board be given the opportunity to consider and also provide comment on the new Youth Justice Plan. In response, the Director of Children and Families agreed to ensure that the Plan be submitted to the Corporate Parenting Board following consideration at Executive Board, with flexibility to adapt the plan accordingly following its input.

·  Delays within the criminal justice system. In response to a query, Members were advised that court backlogs are impacting youth cases. It was also noted that delays can also result in children becoming adults and being sentenced as such.

·  Timeframes for support following custodial sentences. In response to a query, members were advised that support following custody is determined on an individual basis with early help/social work teams as part of the resettlement programme to support the child and their family. It was noted that resettlement services nationally require more resource.

·  Support for individuals with poor social and emotional mental health. It was confirmed that additional resource has been introduced in the form of life coaches in the youth services, which will help to identify young people at risk of offending.

·  Support for third sector projects. Members recognised the value of preventative and restorative projects delivered by the third sector, and the need to include support to third sector organisations as part of the plan.

The Chair suggested that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

To receive a report from the Director of Children and Families which presents an update on the focused work being undertaken to support children and young people in Leeds through the early years, early help and children’s social care services.

The Director of Children and Families submitted a report that presented an update on the focused work being undertaken to support children and young people in Leeds through the early years, early help and children’s social care services.

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Executive Member for Economy, Culture and Education

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

-  Sal Tariq, Director of Children and Families

-  Ruth Terry, Chief Officer for Social Work

The Executive Member for Adult and Children’s Social Care and Health Partnerships introduced the report, providing an overview of the key highlights for the sector since the previous update.

Members discussed a number of matters, including:

·  Changes to staffing. Members recognised the continued dedication of the social care service throughout pandemic despite significant pressure within the system.

·  Impact of limited socialisation for young children. Members recognised the importance of take-up of early years support available at children’s centres in Leeds, due to the reduced social contact with people outside of their immediate families and closure of early years educational settings during the pandemic. Members were advised that the impact of the pandemic on young children has become apparent in educational settings and will be an area closely monitored moving forward.

·  Early Years Foundation Curriculum. Related to above, it was noted that teachers have reported that delivering the curriculum alongside the support necessary to boost children’s social and emotional skills is proving a challenge.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report, along with Members comments, be noted.

To receive a report from the Director of Children and Families which provides a further update surrounding the Improvement Plan linked to the recent Ofsted Focused Visit to the Leeds Children and Families Front Door Service in July 2021.

The Director of Children and Families submitted a report that provided a further update surrounding the Improvement Plan linked to the recent Ofsted Focused Visit to the Leeds Children and Families Front Door Service in July 2021.

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Executive Member for Economy, Culture and Education

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

-  Sal Tariq, Director of Children and Families

-  Ruth Terry, Chief Officer for Social Work

The Executive Member for Adult and Children’s Social Care and Health Partnerships introduced the report, highlighting that attendance of all parties at strategy meetings has significantly increased since the last meeting. 

Members discussed a number of matters, including:

·  Returning to offices. Members queried the staff reaction to returning to some office based working, and were advised that the approach is to provide flexibility to allow for a mixture of homeworking and office working, based on the benefits of each, which has been largely supported by the workforce.

·  Use of data and metrics within update reports. Members requested that future reports include clear metrics to allow the Board to monitor the progress against the recommendations of the action plan.

·  Visit to the Front Door Team. The Chair suggested that it may be helpful for a small number of Scrutiny Members to undertake a visit to the Front Door Team and the Director agreed to help facilitate this.

RESOLVED –

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

b)  That arrangements are made for a small number of Scrutiny Members to undertake a visit to the Front Door Team.

To receive a report from the Head of Democratic Services which presents draft terms of reference for part two 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 draft terms of reference for part two of the Scrutiny Board’s ongoing Inquiry into Exclusions, Elective Home Education and Off-rolling.

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Executive Member for Economy, Culture and Education

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

-  Sal Tariq, Director of Children and Families

The Chair introduced the report and sought Members views on the draft terms of reference appended to the report.

There was some discussion and suggestions made to change elements of the evidence gathering sessions as follows:

Ø  To defer consideration of the latest local figures relating to permanent and fixed term exclusion rates until the final evidence session scheduled for February 2022.  However, the Board felt it would still be helpful to receive a brief general overview of attendance across local schools as part of session one.

Ø  To switch sessions two and three so that the experiences and views of young people and their families are gathered earlier in the inquiry.

Ø  To include Chair of Governor representation as part of the list of identified witnesses to the inquiry.

RESOLVED –  That, subject to the above amendments being made, the Scrutiny Board approves the terms of reference relating to part two of its ongoing Inquiry into Exclusions, Elective Home Education and Off-rolling.

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.

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

Wednesday, 3^rd November 2021 at 10.00 am (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.45 am)

Wednesday, 3rd November 2021 at 10.00 am (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.45 am)