Agenda item

(To receive a report which sets out the work programme of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee in accordance with the Board's agreed programme)

The Board gave consideration to a report which advised of the work that been undertaken by the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee. 

Appendix A to the report provided the Board with highlights of activity conducted and provided details of future work planned up to 6 March 2020.

The Chairman of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee advised that at the last meeting of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee, consideration had been given to two reports, the first being an update on the implementation of the Transitions scrutiny review, at which there had been discussion relating to the use of the term "Local Offer", which was the Department of Education's language to describe the services available for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).  The Committee had highlighted the need to ensure that the "Local Offer" was easy to find on the Council's website.  The Committee had agreed to a further update being received at the 5 June 2020 meeting and that a representative from the Clinical Commissioning Group should be invited to attend the said meeting, to provide an update on the recommendation relating to improved health outcomes.

The Board was advised that the second report related to the draft Child in Employment and Entertainment Policy.  The Committee had raised concerns regarding the outdated legislation and to the fact that it did not cover self-employment or internet usage.  The Committee had also highlighted that the document was not clear on when the Council would prosecute.  Officers had confirmed that there was discretion for the Executive Director of Children's Services to decide when or when not, to prosecute.  It was highlighted that prosecution would take place when a child was being exploited or missing school.  The Board was advised that comments raised from the Committee were being passed on to the Executive Director of Children's Services for her consideration before approving the policy.

The Chairman of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee advised that the Inclusive Lincolnshire Strategy had been deferred from 17 January 2020 to the 24 April 2020 meeting.  It was noted that in its place the Committee would be considering two pre-decision scrutiny reports entitled "Schools Funding Changes 2020/21" and "School Admission Policies and Co-ordinated Schemes for 2021 Intake".

Also, the Chairman of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee reminded the Board that the Committee would also be looking at the performance indicator 'Children who are subject to a child protection plan', as agreed by the Board in the earlier performance item on the agenda.

The "outstanding" judgement from the recent Ofsted inspection of Children's Services was highlighted to the Board and it was agreed to send a letter from the Board to Children's Services to congratulate staff on the outcome.

It was questioned whether the Committee had seen a response to the national SEND funding review.  The Head of Paid Service confirmed that a response had been submitted to the national review which could be circulated to the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED

1.    That the previous activity and the content of the planned future work programmes of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee be received by the Board, subject to the changes as detailed above.

2.    That a letter from the Board be sent to staff in Children's Services to congratulate them on the recent Ofsted inspection outcome.

3.    That the response to the national SEND funding review be circulated to the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee.