Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor M D Boles and Mrs P Barnett, Parent Governor Representative.

Apologies were also received from Councillor Mrs P A Bradwell, Executive Councillor for Adult Care, Health and Children's Services, Councillor D Brailsford, Executive Support Councillor for Children's Services and Debbie Barnes, Executive Director for Children's Services.

There were no declarations of members' interests made at this point in the meeting.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 20 April 2018 be agreed and signed by the Chairman as a record.

The Chairman advised that he, the Executive Director of Children's Services, two members of staff and four of the Council's young people had attended the East Midlands Regional Children in Care Council and Care Leavers Conference, held on 1 June 2018.  The Committee was advised further that the Lincolnshire delegation had received recognition for its Barnardo's Leaving Care Service.  It was noted that other local authorities were following the Lincolnshire model, particularly in relation to the Big Conversation events.

The Assistant Director, Safeguarding advised that a press release was due to be released shortly concerning the Ofsted Inspection of Local Authority Children's Services (ILACS) Focussed Visit.

The Committee was also advised that the Executive Director of Children's Services and the Executive Councillor for Adult Care, Health and Children's Services were not in attendance as they were conducting interviews at Rotherham.

(To receive a report from Andrew Morris, Corporate Parenting Manager, which invites the Committee to consider and comment on the content of Corporate Parenting Strategy)

The Committee gave consideration to a report from Andrew Morris, Corporate Parenting Manager, which invited the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee to consider the content of the Strategy, and to endorse the process of embedding Corporate Parenting into the Council's culture.

Janice Spencer, Assistant Director, Safeguarding presented the report and highlighted to the Committee that the Council had a legal Corporate Parenting responsibility to all of its Looked After Children and Care Leavers.  A copy of the Corporate Parenting Strategy 2018 – 2021 was attached to the report at Appendix A for the Committee's consideration.  It was highlighted that the strategy was a document designed to help embed Corporate Parenting across the Council to ensure the responsibility of parenting the Council's children and care leavers was at the forefront of Council thinking when making decisions and designing services.

The Committee was advised that the Corporate Parenting Strategy would be presented to the Council meeting on 14 September 2018 for consideration and to ensure wider member commitment to the responsibilities of being a Corporate Parent.

It was highlighted that Looked after Children and Young People and Care Leavers should have the same care, nurturing, health and wellbeing; and life chances as any other child or young person. Pages 19/20 identified what responsible parenting involved.  

The strategy provided information as to the role of a 'Corporate Parent'; the commitment in Lincolnshire for all Looked After Children; and the responsibility for all, which included the seven Corporate Parenting Principles; the universal responsibilities within the Council in conjunction with governing bodies of partner agencies; the targeted responsibilities for elected members who visited Children's Homes; and specialist responsibilities of the Executive Councillor for Children's Services, the Executive Director of Children's Service's and the Chairman of the Corporate Parenting Sub-Group.

During discussion, the Committee raised the following points:-

·         The need to ensure that all Councillors were aware of the strategy and the responsibilities of being a Corporate Parent.  It was reported that elected members were making more contact with Looked After Children, with visits to the Big Conversation Event and V4C meetings; and other social occasions; as well visiting children's homes.  One member stressed that as Looked After Children were very vulnerable, that everything should be done that possibly could be done to help the young person; and that it was essential that the strategy was taken on board by all; and embedded within the day to day work of the Council.  A suggestion was made that the strategy needed to be brought to life when presented to the Council on 14 September 2018; 

·         The championing of provision of Council based work placements and Apprenticeships for looked after young people.  The Committee was advised that the Care Leavers Apprenticeship Scheme was provided through Barnardo's; and that there were between 10 and 12 placements per year.  It was reported that more work was being done within the Council with managers to see if more apprenticeships could be made available to care leavers.  It was highlighted that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

(To receive a report from Andrew Morris, Corporate Parenting Manager, which invites the Committee to consider a report on the Looked After Children and Care Leavers Strategy, which is due to be considered by the Executive on 3 July 2018)

Consideration was given to a report from Andrew Morris, Corporate Parenting Manager, which invited the Committee to comment on the Looked After Children and Care Leavers Strategy 2018 – 2021, prior to being considered by the Executive on 3 July 2018.

The Assistant Director, Safeguarding presented the report and highlighted that Lincolnshire County Council had a responsibility to the children it looked after and its care leavers.  And that following a change in legislation, which had come into effect from the 1 April 2018, the Councils duty had widened, as it now had a duty to provide support to all care leavers up to the age of 25, if they wanted support.

Appended to the report was a copy of the Lincolnshire Looked After Children and Care Leavers Strategy 2018 – 2021 for the Committee's consideration.

The Committee was advised that in order to achieve the desired outcomes for Looked After Children and Care Leavers, the strategy had been developed to contain a number of guiding principles, which had been developed locally and these were shown on page 45 of the report. 

The strategy also set out Lincolnshire County Council's seven key priorities to continually improve on, over the next three years.  These were shown on pages 45/46 of the report presented.

The Committee was advised that the strategy was a key document for the Council and its partner organisations. The Committee was advised further that the strategy had been developed in consultation with many key groups, elected members and young people.

During consideration of the strategy, the Committee raised the following comments:-

·         It was queried whether all seven district councils had signed up to the strategy.  It was confirmed that all the district councils had now signed up to it, in principle;

·         Concerns were raised about children in need and how this group of children could be supported further. It was reported that schools, through Team Around the Child, were increasingly confident about supporting families.  In relation to mental health issues, there was Healthy Minds, CAMHS and the Emotional and Wellbeing Service that children in need could be referred to. It was highlighted that services had been designed to provide wraparound support to schools to support families.  However, it was highlighted that children in need were not tracked as a group separately, for outcomes or exclusions.  This was due to the fact that they were a constantly changing cohort;

·         In relation to "Staying Put" for foster children, it was queried whether anything similar could be done to support children more in residential homes.  It was reported that there was "Staying Close", which was a scheme to support young people transitioning from a residential home into provision in the community post 18.  In these cases the residential home would continue to provide support to the young people after they had moved out into new accommodation.  It was highlighted that any pressure that could be put on district councils in relation to housing placements for care leavers would be useful.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

(To receive a report from Debbie Barnes, Executive Director of Children's Services, which invites the Committee to consider the findings of the Ofsted Inspection of Local Authority Children's Services (ILACS) Focussed Visit)

The Committee gave consideration to a report from the Assistant Director, Safeguarding, which advised of the outcomes from the focussed visit from Ofsted in April 2018.  It was noted that the focus of the visit had been permanency planning; and achieving permanence for children in care.

The Committee was advised that Ofsted had implemented a new inspection regime for Local Authority Children's Services (ILACS) in January 2018, which had replaced the Single Inspection Framework (SIF).  The Committee was advised further under the ILACS framework, an authority would continue to be inspected every three years, but would also receive up to two focussed visits between inspections.  It was noted that a judgement was not awarded for a focussed visit.

It was reported that Lincolnshire's Children's Services had last been inspected under SIF in November 2014; and had achieved a judgement of 'good'.

Detailed at Appendix A to the report was a copy of the letter received from Ofsted relating to the Focused Visit to Lincolnshire Children's Services.  The letter had identified that overall leaders had ambitions for children in care; full details of their comments were shown in Appendix A.  The Committee was advised that a small number of areas, one being Mosaic had been highlighted as needing strengthening to ensure permanence for all children was achieved, and in a timely manner. 

The Committee was advised that an action plan would be put into place and issues would be turned round within the next 12 months.

During discussion, the Committee raised the following issues:-

·         Some concern was expressed to the IT problems social work teams were having, which was preventing them from doing their job.  The Committee was advised that Windows 10 was going to be rolled out to social work teams during August, which would help alleviate some of the problems. It was also reported that project support would also be put in to place;

·         Delays in placement when the child was subject to a care order.  Reassurance was given that the numbers were few (36 in total); and that these had already been reviewed and were being prepared for discharge; and

·         Reference was made to the last paragraph of the letter which acknowledged a working environment to support social work had enable social work to flourish.  The staff had manageable workloads, received regular supervision and appropriate training and development opportunities which had contributed to a supportive environment for social workers committed to working in Lincolnshire.  The Assistant Director, Safeguarding advised that a lot of work had gone in to ensure that social workers had manageable caseloads.  This had been helped as a result of lots of work around early intervention and prevention; Team Around the Child; and also Signs of Safety.  The Committee was advised that it had taken four years to achieve the current position.

On behalf of the Committee, the Chairman extended thanks to the Assistant Director, Safeguarding and her team for all their hard work.

RESOLVED

That the outcomes of Ofsted Inspection of Local  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

(To receive a report from Martin Smith, Children's Service Manager, School Standards, which summarises for the Committee the 2016/17 performance data for Lincolnshire schools)

The Committee gave consideration to report from Martin Smith, Children's Service Manager, School Standards and Michelle Andrews, Children's Service Manager, Early Years & Childcare Support, which summarised the 2016/17 performance data for Lincolnshire schools.

Heather Sandy, Chief Officer for Education introduced the report and advised that following the comments received from the Committee that the format of the report had been changed; and that officers welcomed any further comments concerning content and format going forward. 

The Children's Service Manager, School Standards advised that the report brought the outcomes of assessments within the Early Years, Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2, and Key Stage 4.  It was noted that where available, data sets had been compared to Local Authority averages, statistical neighbours and national figures.

The following Appendices were attached to the report presented:-

·         Appendix A – Key Number report 2017; and

·         Appendix B – FSM 2017 Performance Overview.

The Committee's attention was brought to the summary of results for Key Stage 1 Teacher Assessments for KS1 Reading, KS1 Writing, KS1 Maths; and Phonics; summary of results for Key Stage 2; and Key Stage 4.

Pages 72, 73 and 74 provided the Committee with details of the Lincolnshire priorities for 2017/18.  It was highlighted that to date Lincolnshire had done well to secure Strategic School Improvement Funding, which would support improvements over 2018/19; and that these programmes would be monitored for impact by the Department for Education in 2019/20.  Details of the approved bids in Round 1, and Round 2 were shown at the top of page 74 of the report presented.  Also, on page 74 was information relating to bids that the Council was still awaiting confirmation on.  These bids were focussed on the priority areas that had been identified by the Local Authority.

During discussion, the Committee raised the following comments:-

·         The ages applicable to the key stages, it was felt that inclusion of this information would be useful to members of the Committee;

·         The methodology applied when maintained schools were not performing.  The Committee was advised that advisors monitored the performance of maintained schools and highlighted any concerns to the leadership of the school.  If necessary, a pre-warning notice was served requiring the school to outline their response to addressing concerns. This would then be monitored, and if the school did not address the concerns, they would then be issued with a formal warning, which would be automatically shared with the Department for Education and Ofsted.  It was noted that the Regional School Commissioner could also intervene and send a formal warning notice even when the LA was reassured.  It was highlighted that the Committee was advised that the Regional School Commissioner for the East Midlands worked closely with officers at the Local Authority and that this process was co-ordinated;

·         Some concern was expressed that progress had not been as good as it might have been; and that the Committee would benefit from knowing earlier in the academic year in order to analyse the LAs response.  Officers advised that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

(To receive a report from Mark Rainey, Children's Commissioning Manager, Commercial and Dave Clarke, Principal Lincolnshire Secure Unit, which invites the Committee to consider a report on the Lincolnshire Secure Unit, Ministry of Justice Contract Bid, which is due to be considered by the Executive Councillor for Adult Care, Health and Children's Services on 18 June 2018)

Consideration was given to a report from Mark Rainey, Children's Commissioning Manager, Commercial and Dave Clarke, Principal Lincolnshire Secure Unit, which invited the Committee to consider a report on the Lincolnshire Secure Unit – Ministry of Justice contract bid, which was due to be considered by the Executive Councillor for Adult Care, Health and Children's Services on 18 June 2018.

Shannon Gaskell, Commissioning Officer, Commercial Services introduced the report, making reference to the background behind the twelve-bedded Secure Children's Home (SCH), situated in Sleaford, which had opened in 1997.  It was reported that eleven of the beds were contracted to the Ministry of Justice for young people sentenced or remanded into custody; and that one bed was used for Local Authorities, including Lincolnshire, to spot purchase for young people requiring secure accommodation under Welfare criteria.

It was reported that maintaining the Lincolnshire Secure Unit (LSU) within Lincolnshire ensured that positive outcomes could be achieved locally by Lincolnshire young people when resident at the LSU as well as providing a valuable resource more widely.

Details of the existing contract provision was provided on page 90 of the report presented.  It was highlighted that the current contract was for eleven beds, valued at £594.49 per night per bed, which equated to £2,386,877.35 per annum.  The LSU also had one welfare bed available to both Lincolnshire young people and young people placed by other Local Authorities.  It was highlighted that the welfare bed price for 2018/19 had increased to £850.00 per night.  The income that had been received for 2017/18 for the one welfare bed had been £0.287m.

The Committee was advised that the Ministry of Justice had recently confirmed that they were re-procuring on a Direct Award Contract approach.  The direct negotiations would focus on three main areas:

·         The number of beds a SCH can offer to the Ministry of Justice;

·         The price at which those beds will be offered; and

·         The length of contract to be awarded.

The report identified that individual negotiations would be completed by 30 June 2018; with a new contract in place by 1 October 2018.

It was highlighted that failure to negotiate with the Ministry of Justice to continue provision of a Secure Children's Home from the LSU site was likely to lead to the unit ceasing to operate as there would be no guaranteed income through the Ministry of Justice contract.  The report therefore recommended that negotiations were undertaken with the Ministry of Justice to reach a successful conclusion to retain the ability to deliver the service from the LSU and safeguard the benefits accruing to the Council through securing a guaranteed income stream from the Ministry of Justice contract to ensure financial sustainability of the facility.

Appendix A to the report provided a map showing secure children's homes in England.

During discussion, the Committee raised the following comments:-

·         It was queried why there was only one welfare bed and whether this could be increased.  It was highlighted that there was no guarantee  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

(To receive an update from Councillor S R Dodds, Chairman of the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Boards Scrutiny Sub-Group)

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided an overview of the activities of the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Boards Scrutiny Sub-Group, in particular the Sub-Group's consideration of children's safeguarding matters.  Attached to the report at Appendix A was a copy of the draft minutes from the last meeting of the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Boards Scrutiny Sub-Group held on 16 April 2018.

The Chairman of the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Boards Scrutiny Sub-Group, Councillor S R Dodds advised that at the last meeting the Sub-Group had received an update on the work of the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Board.

It was reported that the Sub-Group had been advised that following the Wood Review of Local Safeguarding Children's Boards (LSCB) and the Children and Social Work Act 2017, a Shadow Assurance Executive had been established to sit above the Strategic Management Group to scrutinise and challenge the work of the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Board.  It was noted that the membership of the Shadow Executive had included the three key statutory partners listed in the Wood Review 2016:- Local Authority, Police and Health.  It was noted that at the moment these would remain proposals and shadow arrangements until statutory guidance had changed.

The Committee was advised that the Sub-Group would endeavour to make sure that someone attended meetings of the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Board, and the Safeguarding Adults Board, to scrutinise the work of the Boards in action.

It was also highlighted that the Sub-Group had received a presentation about the work of the LSCB E-Safety Officer, which highlighted the training being provided to young people to increase awareness of the risks of online activity.  It was highlighted further that the Sub-Group had suggested that a joint letter from the Chairman of the LSCB Chris Cook, the Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones and Councillor Mrs P A Bradwell should be sent to schools who were less engaged in promoting E-Safety lessons.

The Committee was advised that the next Sub-Group meeting would be held on 9 July 2018.

RESOLVED

That the draft minutes of the meeting of the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Boards Scrutiny Sub-Group, held on 16 April 2018, be endorsed.

(To receive a report from Sally Savage, Chief Commissioning Officer – Children's Services, which provides key performance information for Quarter 4 2017/18 relevant to the work of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee)

NOTE: Appendix D to this report contains exempt information under Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, and discussion of this information could result in the exclusion of the press and public)

Consideration was given to a report from Sally Savage, Chief Commissioning Officer, Children's Services, which provided the Committee with key performance information relating to Quarter 4 2017/18 relevant to the work of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee.

Attached to the report were the following Appendices for the Committee's consideration:-

·         Appendix A – Council Business Plan Measures;

·         Appendix B – Complaint and Compliments Report;

·         Appendix C – Ofsted School Status Report; and

·         Appendix D – Performance and Monitoring of Contracts – (Exempt Report)

The Committee was reminded that Appendix D to the report contained exempt information and if the Committee wished to discuss details pertaining to Appendix D, a vote would need to be taken to move into exempt session.

In guiding the Committee through the report the Chief Commissioning Officer, Children's Services responded to questions raised, which included the following issues:-

·         Page 113 - Juvenile First Time Offenders – Concern was expressed that the figures had increased.  Members were reminded that this issue would be covered in more detail in the Restorative Panels Pilot item  included on the agenda for the 20 July 2018 meeting;

·         Page 120 – Looked After Children – The number of children looked after.   The Committee was advised that the number of Looked After Children was currently 647; and confirmation was given that there had been a reduction in that number over the last year.  It was noted that the number of children looked after did fluctuate, as children came into care.  It was noted further that the focus on early intervention and supporting families had resulted in a reduction in the number of children becoming looked after; as well some children coming out of the system through adoption, special guardianship orders, child arrangement orders and returning home;

·         Page 124  - Average time taken to move a child from care to adoptive family –  Clarification was given that the target of 430 days covered the whole of the journey;

·         Page 132 - Care Leavers in suitable accommodation – It was noted that the number of care leavers in suitable accommodation had remained on target for the past 4 years. A question was asked as to whether this figure needed to be 100%, so that there was awareness as to where all care leavers were.  The Committee was advised that some care leavers were in prison, some were back with families, and it would therefore not be possible to have 100%.   However, reassurance was given that all care leavers had accommodation; and that the figure represented a small minority of 11 children in total;

·         Page 138 – Permanent exclusions - Some concern was expressed to the fact that the data supplied was so out of date.  Reassurance was given that going forward data for this indicator would be presented in a more meaningful way.  The Committee was advised that the number of exclusions had significantly reduced;

·         Page 140 – Achievement of the threshold in English and Maths - One member felt that the threshold for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

(To receive a report from Tracy Johnson, Senior Scrutiny Officer, which provides the Committee with an opportunity to consider and comment on its work programme for the coming year)  

Consideration was given to a report from Tracy Johnson, Senior Scrutiny Officer, which enabled the Committee to comment on the content of its work programme to ensure that its scrutiny activity was focussed where it could be of greatest benefit.

Attached to the report at Appendix A was a copy of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee work programme up to 30 November 2018.  Appendix B to the report provided the Committee with a copy of the Executive Forward Plan from 1 June 2018.

The Committee was advised that the next meeting of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee was due to be held on 20 July 2018.

During a short discussion, the Committee was advised that Prevent and the implications for Children and Young People had been scheduled in for the 30 November 2018 meeting.

One member enquired as to when the Home to School Transport Policy for Grammar Schools would be considered by the Committee.  The Committee was advised that a desk top review was due to start in September 2018 and that the Committee would receive an update report later in the year.

One member expressed appreciation to the work and dedication of the Children's Services Team.

RESOLVED

That the Committee's work programme as set out in Appendix A to the report presented be agreed.