Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Room One, County Offices, Newland, Lincoln LN1 1YL

Contact: Katrina Cope  Senior Democratic Services Officer

Items
No. Item

38.

Apologies for Absence / Replacement Members

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor M A Whittington and Mrs P J Barnett (Parent Governor Representative).

 

Apologies for absence had also been received from Councillor Mrs P A Bradwell OBE, Executive Councillor for Adult Care, Health and Children's Services and Debbie Barnes OBE, Executive Director of Children's Services.

39.

Declarations of Members' Interests

Minutes:

No declarations of members' interest were made at this stage of the proceedings.

40.

Minutes of the Meeting of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee held on 19 October 2018 pdf icon PDF 157 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

That the minutes of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 19 October 2018 be agreed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record, subject to Councillor A P Maughan's declaration of interest being amended to read 'as his employer Streets Accountants LLP were appointed statutory auditors for a number of the Academies referred to in the agenda item'.

41.

Announcements by the Chairman, Executive Councillor for Adult Care, Health and Children's Services and the Executive Director of Children's Services

Minutes:

The Chairman invited the Executive Support Councillor and Senior Officers to update the Committee.

 

Councillor D Brailsford, Executive Support Councillor for Children's Services advised that in the previous week, he had attended the Children and Young People NOW Awards in London, as the Council had been a nominated as a finalist in the Children and Care Awards.  It was noted that the Council had not unfortunately been selected as a prize winner.

 

It was highlighted that one of Lincolnshire's Primary schools had also been selected in the Learning Award; and the Advice and Guidance Award categories.  The Committee was advised that Kirton Primary School had won both of the aforementioned categories, which had been excellent news for Lincolnshire.

 

The Chief Officer for Education advised the Committee that the SEND local area inspection report had been published.  It was highlighted that the report celebrated the work Lincolnshire had done for SEND; and the effective range of services provided by the Council; and the effective working with health and education partners.

 

The Chief Officer for Education also highlighted that a positive letter had been received from the Minister regarding the publication.

 

The Senior Scrutiny Officer highlighted that the SEND Ofsted and CQC Inspection Report and Action Plan would be considered by the Committee at the 18 January 2019 meeting.

42.

Prevent and the Implications for Children and Young People pdf icon PDF 173 KB

(To receive a report from Nicole Hilton, Chief Community Engagement Officer, which provides the Committee with an update on Prevent activity in Lincolnshire during 2017/18, as a result of changes to the Counter-Terrorism Bill 2014 and the introduction of the Government Counter-Extremism Strategy 2015 and the updated CONTEST Strategy 2018, including the new responsibilities placed upon Local Authorities and in particular the implications for Children and Young People)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received a presentation from Nicole Hilton, Chief Community Engagement Officer, which provided an update on Prevent activity in Lincolnshire during 2017/18, as a result of changes to the Counter-Terrorism Bill 2014, and the introduction of the Government Counter-Extremism Strategy 2015 and the updated Contest Strategy 2018, including the new responsibilities placed upon Local Authorities and in particular the implications for Children and Young People.

 

The presentation made reference to:-

 

·         Roles of Specified authorities, which included assessing the risk of radicalisation in their area; developing an action plan to reduce risks; ensuring staff were trained to recognise radicalisation and extremism; partnership working with others; establishing referral mechanisms; and maintaining records to show compliance;

·         Current International Threat – The Committee noted that the UK faced several different terrorist threats.  It was highlighted that the threat from Islamist terrorism remained the most significant threat.  It was also highlighted that extreme right-wing terrorism was also a growing threat.  Some examples of the on-line content of such threats were shared with members of the Committee;

·         Prevent Duty Guidance for Schools and Educational Providers – The Committee was advised that the Prevent Duty involved providing guidance and advice to schools, childcare providers, the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB); safeguarding British minors returning from the conflict in Syria and Iraq; providing a catalogue of training courses; and educating against Hate;

·         Training – The Committee was advised that some awareness training was conducted face to face; other training available included the Home Office Prevent e-learning and Channel packages; training was also provided to the LSCB relating to understanding Pathways to Extremism and the Prevent Programme.  The Committee was advised that the take up of training by schools in Lincolnshire was high.  The Committee was also advised of the key projects in Lincolnshire, one of these was that a task and finish group that had been established to consider how to engage with young people to discuss concerns around the on-line narrative of extremist ideologies, such as those based around the extreme right wing. A further project was that guidance for schools had been amended to include the updated and strengthened Contest 2018 Strategy.  The Committee was also advised that the Community Engagement Team was supporting the delivery of a three year Countywide Community Collaboration Project, which was due to finish at the end of March 2020.  It was noted that Officers had been working in partnership with the Ethnic Minority and Traveller Education Team to support Supplementary schools, offering training from both the Lincolnshire Police Prevent Officer and the LCC Prevent Officer to raise their awareness of Prevent.  It was also reported that over 250 'Safeguarding Against Extremists' workshops had been delivered to young people by the Lincolnshire Police Prevent Officers in schools, colleges and other establishments; to provide young people with a safe space for debate and allow discussion around sensitive and current issues;

·         Channel – It was highlighted that the Channel Programme was part of the Prevent Strategy, which comprised of a multi-agency programme  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

43.

School Place Planning and the Processes for School Reorganisation pdf icon PDF 614 KB

(To receive a report from Matthew Clayton, Admissions and Education Provision Manager, which provides the Committee with information to the sufficiency of school places in Lincolnshire in more details and outlines the process and criteria involved in addressing those pressures when deciding how to increase capacity and where)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed to the meeting Matthew Clayton, Admissions and Education Provision Manager.

 

In guiding the Committee through the report, reference was made to the fact that in accordance with the Education Act 1996, the Local Authority (LA) had a statutory duty to ensure there was sufficient school places to meet need, either through maintained schools or academies.  In order to fulfil this requirement, it was highlighted that effective school place planning was required.

 

Appendix A to the report provided the Committee with a high level summary of the sufficiency of school places in Lincolnshire, as provided for in the School Organisation Plan 2018/19.  The Committee noted that this was a public document which provided an overview of the factors involved in school organisation planning, in addition to district level data showing existing and projected pupil numbers against available capacity.

 

It was reported that the LA return data to the Department for Education (DfE) provided the projected pupil numbers and capacity across the County at a smaller geographical level through planning areas.  From this data the DfE allocated Basic Need capital to LAs to provide additional school places to meet demand.

 

Page 26 of the report provided a flow chart which detailed the process used by Officers in the school planning process.

 

The Committee was advised that over the next six years there was expected to be a 2%-3% increase in primary pupil numbers; and up to a 20% increase in secondary school pupil numbers in some parts of the County.  It was highlighted that as nearly all secondary schools were now academies, the LA would continue to work with the Regional School Commissioner to ensure that the needs of local communities were met, with regard to sufficient school places.

 

A discussion ensued, from which the following comments were raised:-

 

·         Page 43 – Ratio used to meet proven demand.  The Committee was advised that the proven ratio used to measure the additional demand for places from new houses was based on local research looking at completed housing developments.  The Committee noted that the ratio currently used presumed that 100 new homes would generate an average of 20 primary pupils and 19 secondary aged pupils across all year group in total;

·         Porta-Cabins – One member enquired whether porta-cabins were still loaned to schools to help them meet their capacity.  The Committee was advised that the LA still had porta cabins on sites around the County; but this was an option that would be avoided if possible, as the provision of a more permanent classroom was the better option, as mobile classrooms were now a more costly option;

·         Further Education (FE) Provision - One member enquired as to what work was being done to support FE providers who were losing out to sixth forms.  Officers advised that there was a range of reasons why some FEs were struggling, including that sixth forms received more funding.  It was highlighted that work was ongoing with both colleges and sixth forms  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.

44.

Principal Child and Family Social Worker Annual Report 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 81 KB

(To receive a report from Sam Clayton, Principal Child and Family Social Worker, which provides an overview of the Principal Child and Family Social Worker activity for 2017/18)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report from Sam Clayton, Principal Child and Family Worker, which provided the Committee with the Principal Child and Family Social Worker Annual Report 2017/18.

 

In guiding the Committee through the report, reference was made to:

 

·         The success of the recruitment campaign for both attracting external staff and internal promotions.  It was highlighted that the vacancy rate for Lincolnshire was now at 6%, compared to the national rate of 16%.  It was highlighted further that the increase in the number of social workers had improved the ability of the teams to respond to demand, which ensured that children, young people and families received a good statutory service;

·         Learning and Development – The Committee was advised that extensive work had been done with South Yorkshire Teaching Partnership to develop the curriculum and post qualifying offer for social workers and other children's services staff including apprentices, to meet the employer's needs.  It was noted that this had meant that the social workers that qualified from the course came into the workforce better equipped to deal with social work practice.  Details of the full learning and development on offer was detailed on page 78 of the report;

·         The Committee was advised that it was vital that practitioners across Children's Services had access to understand, participate and learn from current research.  The involvement in the research project had enabled Children's Services in Lincolnshire to contribute on a national basis to some of the most cutting edge practice issues;

·         National Work – The Committee noted that as a result of national working the voice of social work had been presented to Central Government, which had resulted in a more considered approach to the National Assessment and Accreditation System roll out and recognition that social work required a national campaign to improve the attractiveness of the profession;

·         That social workers were fully informed of the Partner in Practice process, which would ensure that staff were better prepared for the accreditation; and

·         Ofsted – The Committee was advised that work for the Ofsted inspection was ongoing.

 

Detailed at Appendix A to the report was a copy of the Principal Child and Family Social Worker Annual Report 2017/18.

 

During discussion, the Committee raised the following points:-

 

·         The challenges faced by Social Workers;

·         Development of Social Workers – The Committee was advised that part of the Social Workers appraisal was to develop.  It was noted that as social work was changing it was work in progress and a journey, as staff wanted to be continually challenged; and

·         The improved recruitment impact on case load.  It was reported that as of the end of September 2018, the average case load was 14.7 per social worker.

 

The Chairman on behalf of the Committee extended thanks to the team for all their hard work in making the journey a positive experience for staff and for young people and their families.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the Principal Child and Family Social Worker Annual Report 2017/18 be received.

45.

Performance - Quarter 2 2018/19 pdf icon PDF 20 KB

(To receive a report from Sally Savage, Chief Commissioning Officer – Children's Services, which provides key performance information for Quarter 2 2018/19 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)

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report by Sally Savage (Chief Commissioning Officer), which provided key performance information for Quarter 2, 2018/19 that was relevant to the work of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee.

 

The following Appendices were attached to the report:-

 

·    Appendix A – Council Business Plan Measures;

·    Appendix B – Complaint and Compliments Report;

·    Appendix C – Ofsted School Status Report; and

·    Appendix D – Performance Monitoring of Contracts – Exempt Paper.

 

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.

 

During discussion, the Committee raised the following issues:--

 

·         Page 119 – Juvenile First Time Offenders – It was highlighted that the data reported had a six month lag and a rolling 12 month period.  One member queried historical data provided on the website.  The Committee was advised that for this quarter the Restorative project in Lincolnshire in conjunction with Lincolnshire Police had shown some effect in this period which had resulted in a significant reduction in the number of young people coming into the criminal justice system for the first time.  Officers confirmed that incidents previously regarded as offences were still committed, but were not being recorded in the same way, as the definition of the offence was being changed as a result of the restorative work.  It was agreed that it would be useful to see how many young people had gone through the restorative route;

·         Page 126 – Juvenile Re-offending – Concern was expressed to the time lag of data from the Ministry of Justice.  A request was made to see if this delay could be improved.  A further member agreed that it would be useful to have information pertaining to the type of offences committed by the young people.  It was noted that a report on Restorative Practice was due to be presented to the 26 April 2019 meeting; and

·         Page 142 – Complaint to Stage 2 – The Assistant Director of Safeguarding provided the Committee with an overview of the Children's Services complaint process, from which a request was made for more information on the outcomes of Ombudsman complaints, so that any underlying themes could be looked at in more depth if necessary.  A further suggestion was made for an annual Ombudsman report for the Committee to consider at the end of Quarter 4.  Officers agreed to look into this request.

 

At this point in the meeting, it was moved, seconded and:

 

RESOLVED

 

That in accordance with Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for consideration of Appendix D to the report on the grounds that if they were present there could be a disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended.

 

The Chairman invited members of the Committee  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

46.

Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee Work Programme pdf icon PDF 189 KB

(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 months)

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report from Tracy Johnson, Senior Scrutiny Officer, which enabled the Committee to consider and comment on the content of its work programme for the coming months.

 

Appendix A to the report on page 151 provided a copy of the Work Programme for the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee to consider.

 

A member suggested adding an item regarding SEND transport.  It was noted that this was linked to the SEND Review and would be incorporated in future updates on the implementation of the SEND Review.  

 

RESOLVED

 

That the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee Work Programme be approved.

 

 
 
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