Agenda item

To receive a report from the Director of Children and Families presenting an update on the ongoing progress made by Children and Families Services, working with partners and communities, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Director of Children and Families submitted a report that presented an update on the ongoing progress made by Children and Families Services, working with partners and communities, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The following were in attendance:

-  Cllr Jonathan Pryor, Executive Member for Learning, Skills and Employment

-  Cllr Fiona Venner, Executive Member for Children and Families

-  Sal Tariq, Director of Children and Families

-  Julie Longworth, Deputy Director of Children and Families

-  Tim Pouncey, Chief Officer, Resources and Strategy

-  Val Waite, Head of Service Learning Inclusion

-  Dave Clark, Head of Service Learning Improvement

-  Erica Hiorns, Senior Secondary Improvement Advisor

The Executive Member for Children and Families introduced the report, noting her thanks to those working to support children and families across the city during very challenging circumstances, and provided assurance that the directorate will continue to support the wellbeing of staff. Members were advised that Early Years providers have reported concerns about staff safety at work, and as a result, the Executive Members and the Leader of Council have written to Government on behalf of the sector, recommending that all provision is closed to most children in line with schools, and that all education staff are considered for the next phase of the vaccination programme.

The Executive Member for Learning, Skills and Employment highlighted continued conversations with schools, during which, schools have reported a greater number of parents requesting a place for their child on the grounds that they are a critical worker. This has led to concern from school leaders that they cannot safely accommodate the high numbers of children whose parents require a place nor reduce the likelihood of transmission of the virus if large numbers of children remain in school. Additionally, schools have reported pupil anxiety around exams in 2022, which colleagues are working to address alongside the support for schools with assessments this academic year. The Executive Member recognised the recent media attention of the differential provision for free school meals during school closures and assured the Board that Leeds City Council is providing food support to all children living in food poverty in Leeds over February half term (this is around 35,000 children).

Members discussed a number of matters, including:

·  Vaccinations for school and early years staff. Members recognised the importance of school and early years staff feeling safe whilst working, and sought more information on the recent request to Government seeking consideration of priority vaccination. Members were advised that in line with the scientific evidence, the request did not dispute that groups most at risk of fatality should remain top priority for vaccination. However, it was noted that education and child care staff are a relatively small cohort in comparison to the scale of the current vaccination roll-out, as well as the impact of transmission from schools to the wider community, and therefore should be considered as early as possible in the vaccination programme to enable educational settings to function more smoothly.

·  Resources for school staff and pupil mental health and wellbeing. In response to a query, Members were advised that a number of initiatives were in place to support wellbeing in school for both staff and pupils, including online sessions with school leaders to provide tools for supporting their own workforces, working alongside health and wellbeing service and clusters to provide wrap-around care for pupils who are struggling, and recently launched teacher training with educational psychologists to support staff and pupil wellbeing.

·  Virtual curriculum offer. In response to a query, Members were advised that remote learning packages have generally improved since the initial period of school closure in 2020, however it was recognised that quality of provision remains varied between schools. Related to this, Members were advised that a recent survey has indicated that the number of children across the city who do not have access to a personal device for remote learning could be as high as 10,000, and colleagues are working to urgently address this, utilising a range of funding schemes and support from local businesses.

·  Elective home education. In response to a query, Members were advised that although there had been an initial rise during the pandemic of parents choosing to electively home educate their children, this trend has slowed down. It was noted that quality of education plans have improved for those who continue to electively home educate, and that attendance orders can be issued where appropriate due to safeguarding concerns.

·  Children’s homes. Members recognised the extreme challenge faced for staff working with some of the most vulnerable children in children’s homes throughout the pandemic, and sought assurance that teams are supported in terms of their own wellbeing, as well as the children’s. Members were advised that the wellbeing of children and staff in children’s homes is a key priority, and teams are working closely with academic partners to develop innovative provision during periods of closure of schools and other services.

·  Support for Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) parents and their children. Members were advised that a range of support is available for families, including additional online resource packages and delivery of materials for home learning, as well as virtual support sessions for parents. Members were also advised that early help hubs and short breaks service remain open for children with additional needs.

·  ‘Long Covid’ and extended staff absences. Members recognised the impact of extended staff absences due to the longer term health implications of Coronavirus on the children and families workforce. Members were assured that occupational health support is provided in such circumstances, and the impact continues to be assessed by HR.

At the end of the discussion, the Chair noted that the Board’s views were reflected in the Council’s submission to the recent Department for Education consultation on how GCSE, AS and A level grades should be awarded in summer 2021.

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