Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor S R Parkin, The Rev Philip Johnson (Church Representative) and Miss A E I Sayer (Parent Governor Representative).

It was noted that the Chief Executive, having received notice under Regulation 13 of the Local Government (Committee and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, had appointed Councillor R B Parker to replace Councillor S R Parkin for this meeting only.

An apology for absence was also received from Councillor D Brailsford, Executive Support Councillor for Children's Services.

Councillor M A Whittington wished it to be noted that he had an adopted son who was in receipt of services from Barnardo's.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 17 July 2020 be agreed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Chairman invited Councillor Mrs Patricia Bradwell OBE, Executive Councillor for Adult Care, Health and Children's Services to make any announcement to the Committee.

The Committee noted that the return to school following the lockdown was welcomed.  The Committee noted further that school transport had played a major part in getting Lincolnshire children back to school, and appreciation was extended to all Children's Services staff who had been involved in the process.  The Committee was advised that there had only been five cases that had required further intervention.  Appreciation was also extended to bus operators in the county who had worked very closely with the Council to ensure full compliance with the social distancing rules.

The Committee noted that Roz Cordy, currently Interim Assistant Director in Children's Services had agreed to transfer to help in Adult Social Care, until a replacement could be found to replace Carolyn Nice, the current Assistant Director for Adult Frailty and Long Term Conditions.  Roz was wished well in the interim role.

The Committee noted further that Andy Fox, Consultant in Public Health would be covering the children's health part of Sally Savage's role, Assistant Director of Commissioning, until a replacement was found for the post.

The Chairman extended his thanks to everyone involved in the 'return to school process' and advised that it was positive news to start the school year.

(To receive a report from Andy Cook, Service Manager – Future 4Me/Youth Offending, which provides the Committee with an update of the impact and performance around the Joint Diversionary Panel following the report presented in September 2019)

The Chairman invited Andy Cook, Service Manager – Future4Me/Youth Offending to introduce the report which was detailed on pages 15 to 24 of the agenda pack.  The Committee noted that Stacey Waller, Practice Supervisor – Future4Me, Tony Pryce, JDP Coordinator and Superintendent Mark Kirwan from Lincolnshire Police were also in attendance for this item.

The Committee received background information as to why the Joint Diversionary Panel (JDP) had been established in 2017; and an update on the impact of the JDP on offending behaviour by children and young people, since September 2019, when the Committee had given consideration to an update report concerning the JDP.

It was reported that since September 2019, there had been a number of key developments, which had included the expansion of Core Panel Members to provide more specialist knowledge; the launch of the Criminal Justice Liaison and Diversion Service (CJL&D); and the creation of a JDP leaflet for children and young people, which had been made available at Lincolnshire Police custody suites, which explained to children/young people and their families the JDP process and outcomes. 

The Committee noted that to date the Panel had dealt with 1183 youth cases, and that the average age of a young person being dealt with by the Panel was 15.5 years of age.  Page 8 of the report provided the Committee with details of the offences dealt with by the Panel from August 2018 to July 2020.  It was highlighted that there was a commitment from all Panel members to work with a child/young person to divert them where possible away from the formal criminal justice system. There was also recognition that a small percentage of young people would not engage with the outcome agreed at Panel; and that a small number of young people continued to be involved in offending, despite the restorative intervention offered.

The Committee was advised that Covid-19 had provided time for reflection on the Panel process.  The Committee was advised that weekly Panel meetings had been conducted by video conferencing, which had ensured that timely decisions had continued to be made.  The new ways of working had also provided opportunities for increased efficiency both in terms of travelling time and mileage costs for all partners involved in the Panel process.  It was highlighted that frontline staff had also worked innovatively to engage young people remotely.  Reassurance was given that all cases were risk assessed to determine whether face to face contact was needed.

The Committee noted that an evaluation of the JDP and Youth Restorative Intervention had been commissioned through The University of Lincoln.  It was reported that the research utilised different methodologies in its evaluation, details of the research methodologies were shown on page 18; and preliminary findings from case file analysis were shown on page 19 of the report pack.  It was noted further that the evaluation was still in progress; and therefore the Committee was invited to review and comment on the findings of the evaluation to date.

The report  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

(To receive a report from Bryan Glover, Regional Adoption Agency Service Development Manager, which invites the Committee to consider a report on the Family Adoption Links – Regional Adoption Agency, prior to a decision being taken by the Executive Councillor for Adult Care, Health and Children's Services between 14 and 25 September 2020)

The Chairman advised the Committee that this item was for pre-decision scrutiny, prior to a decision being taken by the Executive Councillor for Adult Care, Health and Children's Services between the 14 and 25 September 2020.

The Chairman invited Bryan Glover, Regional Adoption Agency Service Development Manager to present the report to the Committee.  The Committee noted that Janice Spencer OBE, Assistant Director – Children's Safeguarding, was also in attendance for this item.

Attached at Appendix 1 was a copy of the report to the Executive Councillor for Adult Care, Health and Children's Services for the Committee to consider.  Appendix A to the Executive Councillor Report provided the Committee with the business case for the Regional Adoption Agency.

The Committee's views were sought on the formation of a Regional Adoption Agency (RAA) between Lincolnshire County Council and Leicestershire County Council, Leicester City Council, Rutland Council and North Lincolnshire Council operating as a partnership under a contractual Inter-Agency Partnership Agreement under the title "Family Adoption Links".  The Executive Councillor Report also sought approval for the creation of an actual and a virtual pooled budget, as detailed in the report.

The Committee was advised that the reasons for the recommendation had been as a result of the government's policy and legislative agenda of promoting regional adoption agencies, with the aim of better targeting the recruitment of prospective adopters and speeding up the matching and placement of children for adoption.  The Committee noted that the proposed Family Adoption Links Partnership combined the expertise of five local authorities.  The Partnership also had a unique arrangement which would create a sustainable system, which would operate on a regional footprint, maximising resources, capacity and flexibility, which would then lead to improvements in service delivery, effective practice and long-term outcomes for children, whilst maintaining the independence of each individual Local Authority, enabling them to preserve their current arrangements.

The Committee was advised that the preferred option for a partnership aligning adoption services across the RAA footprint with one authority acting as lead.  It was noted that this preferred model addressed the Department for Education (DfE) requirements and maintained the key structures and accountabilities for each partner authority.

The report also provided the Committee with information relating to the proposed governance arrangements; the regional workforce, the financial implications; and the legal implications.

The Committee noted that the Partnership was developing the 'Family Adoption Links' regional brand, which would reflect the vision, mission, values and strategic outcomes of the Partnership. 

The Committee noted further that an interim Regional Head of Service responsible for the delivery of the RAA had been appointed who was Bryan Glover; and that Bryan would have a single line of accountability to the Management Board and would undertake a range of key functions across the partner Local Authorities. 

It was highlighted to the Committee that the hub and spoke model would still enable services to be delivered centrally, with minimal disruption.  The Committe noted that Lincolnshire County Council would establish an actual  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

(To receive a report from Michelle Andrews, Head of Early Years, which advises the Committee of the approach taken in Lincolnshire to support parents in their journey through pregnancy and the earliest years of their child's life)

The Chairman invited Michelle Andrews, Head of Early Years to present the draft Early Childhood Strategy to the Committee.

The Committee was advised that Lincolnshire strived to ensure the best outcomes for all children and families across the county. The Committee was advised further that the draft Early Childhood Strategy, detailed at Appendix A to the report set out the approach taken in Lincolnshire to support parents in their journey through pregnancy and the earliest years of their child's life.

It was reported that from 2013 to 2016, Lincolnshire's Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) outcomes had been above the national average.  From 2016, Lincolnshire's outcomes had plateaued and the results of other areas had increased. This had resulted in lower outcomes at the end of the EYFS for Lincolnshire, in comparison with statistical neighbours, and also at national average.  It was noted that by 2018, the pattern had continued and as a result the Council looked at working with a wider range of partners, in order to identify ways in which educational outcomes could be improved for Lincolnshire children.  It was highlighted that during the period 2013 to 2018 many services had made changes; and as a result of this, it had been agreed that the development of a strategy would help bring all the work happening across the county in to one place.

Following the development of the draft strategy, a Local Government Association (LGA) peer review had provided the opportunity for the Council to gain an external perspective of the work done in Lincolnshire.  The Committee was advised that the outcome of the peer review had been very positive; five recommendations from the peer review were shown on page 88 of the report pack.  The Committee was advised further that plans had been put in place to address the recommendations.  Following a number of information sharing events with wider partners, including the early year's sector, schools and wider partners, the draft strategy had been well received with positive engagement and feedback.

It was reported that the strategy set out the national and local context.  The document also had a number of hyperlinks to relevant information and tools, to support professionals to better understand how their work fitted into the wider journey of children.

The Committee noted that the impact and outcome of the lockdown and Covid-19 on children and families was still not yet fully understood.  What was known was that the pandemic had placed unprecedented pressure on the system including early year's education providers and schools.  It was highlighted to the Committee that the next steps set out at the end of the document might be subject to change, as the recovery phase commenced following the pandemic.

During consideration of the Strategy, particular reference was made to: the Key Steps/Milestones shown on page 100; school readiness on page 101; and Lincolnshire's next Steps on page 104.

During discussion, the Committee raised the following points:

• Praise was extended to officers for the report and the Strategy; and support  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

(To receive a report from Andrew Morris, Corporate Parenting Manager, which invites the Committee to review the progress against the priorities and actions identified in the Children in Care and Care Leavers Strategy Action Plan)

The Chairman invited Janice Spencer OBE, Assistant Director – Children's Safeguarding to present the Looked After Children and Care Leavers Strategy Action Plan to the Committee as detailed on pages 109 to 138.

The Committee was advised that the Looked After Children (Children in Care) and Care Leaver Strategy was a key document for guiding the work and activity of the Council, as the Corporate Parent.  The Committee was reminded that the strategy was written and agreed in 2018 and that this report was a second review of the action plan.  It was highlighted that a considerable amount of work had been made in relation to contributions from wider partners, in particular the district councils and health partners.  The Committee noted that there was now a universal offer of Council Tax relief to Care Leavers from all seven District Councils; and that a clear and comprehensive health history now followed each Looked After young person.

Detailed at Appendix A to the report for the Committee to consider was a copy of the Lincolnshire Looked After Children & Care Leavers Strategy 2018-2021 priorities, Actions and Progress document.  During consideration of Appendix A, particular reference was made to the creation of the Future4Me team on 1 January 2019, who provided support to children and their families when they needed help.  It was highlighted that the model had been positively received.  Reference was also made to the importance of a Life Links Meeting to a young person going through transition from care to care leaver.

The Committee was advised that there were challenges ahead, but there was a commitment to create additional capacity for transition from care to care leaver; to increase fostering in the county; and to ensure that the introduction of the Regional Adoption Agency did not impact on current children's arrangements.

During discussion, the Committee raised the following points:

• Support was extended for the strategy.  One member enquired whether it was still planned to alter the term 'Looked After Children'.  Confirmation was given that there was a commitment to changing the term to 'Children in Care';
• How close 'amber' rated actions were to being 'green'.  Officers confirmed that in general most of the 'amber' rated actions contained in the action plan were nearing completion; reassurance was given that none of the actions were bordering on being 'red'; and
• Confirmation was also given that young people still attended the National Care Leavers event in London.

The Chairman extended thanks on behalf of the Committee to the Assistant Director – Children's Safeguarding for the update.

RESOLVED

            That the Children in Care and Care Leavers Strategy Action Plan as          presented be received.

(To receive a report from Sheridan Dodsworth, Head of Special Educational Needs and Disability, which provides the Committee with a progress update on the recommendations made within the Transitions Scrutiny Review final report in April 2019)

The Chairman advised that this item provided the Committee with a progress update on the recommendations made within the Transitions Scrutiny Review final report from April 2019.  The Chairman invited Sheridan Dodsworth, Head of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities to present the report.  The Committee was advised that Joanna Tubb, Head of Learning Disabilities, Adult Care and Community Wellbeing was also in attendance for this item.

The Committee was advised that the Transitions Scrutiny Panel had identified the need for improvements in the following areas of transition:

• Information and advice through the Local Offer;
• Improve Health Outcomes; and
• Review Pathway Plan for Care Leavers

The Committee was advised of the progress made, details of which were shown in Appendix A to the report presented.

The Chairman requested that some examples of the videos young people were engaging with were presented to the Committee when it next received an update.

RESOLVED

That the update on the progress made against the recommendations from the Transitions Scrutiny Panel review be received and examples of the videos used by young people be presented to the Committee as part of the next update.

(To receive a report from Tracy Johnson, Senior Scrutiny Officer, which asks the Committee to consider and comment on the content of its work programme to ensure that its scrutiny activity is focussed where it can be of greatest benefit)

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 to ensure that scrutiny activity was focused where it could be of greatest benefit.

The Committee was advised that there was one amendment to the work programme.  A report on the expansion of The Eresby School, Spilsby had been added to the agenda for the 9 October 2020 meeting.  The Committee noted that the report was for pre-decision scrutiny prior to a decision being taken by the Leader of the Council between 19 and 23 October 2020.  The Committee noted further that the decision related to the Building Communities of Specialist Provision Strategy.

The Committee was reminded that at the 20 November 2020 meeting consideration would be made to an item from the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP).

One member enquired whether further consideration should be made to Sustainable Modes of Transport; to ensure that consideration was given to encouraging cycling and walking.  The Committee was advised that this would be addressed in other forums.

RESOLVED

That content of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Work Programme as presented be agreed.