Agenda item

(To receive a report from Sally Savage, Chief Commissioning Officer – Children's Services, which provides key performance information for Quarter 3 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)

Consideration was given to a report by Sally Savage (Chief Commissioning Officer), which provided key performance information for Quarter 3, 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.

The Committee was invited to ask questions relating to the content of the report.  During discussion, the Committee raised the following issues:--

·         One member extended thanks to officers that the Looked After Children (LAC) indicators had achieve their target; and to the fact that the waiting time for young children waiting for adoption had been reduced.  The Committee was advised that LAC were a priority for the Council and for Children's Services; and that there was still progress to be made;

·         Page 47 – Juvenile First Time Offenders – This indicator for the first time indicated better performance, as a result of the new diversionary project in Lincolnshire.  The Committee was advised that the Committee would be able to explore this indicator further as an item on Restorative Practice - Lincolnshire Joint Diversionary Panels would be considered at the 26 April 2019 meeting;

·         Page 49 – Juvenile Re-offending – The Committee was advised that there was a time-lag with the data provided; and that this indicator would be explained further at the 26 April 2019 meeting;

·         Complaints – Officers advised that the complaints report required further work; and that the complaints procedure would be coming back in-house to be administered.  The Committee was advised further that a report setting out an annual review of complaints would be presented to the June meeting, so that a better in-depth picture would be provided.  A request was also made for better information relating to Ombudsman complaints;

·         Appendix C – Table 2a/2b - Some concern was expressed to the 50% attributed to the PRU/AP and whether the measure was inadequate.  Some reference was made to increased knife crime and the problems associated with knife crime.  Confirmation was given that one of the PRU facilities had been good and one had been inadequate.  Reassurance was given that the PRU facilities had now improved due to them being academised by a national provider, who had an outstanding PRU and teaching school.  It was noted that there had been applications for 4 new free schools and that 3 of them would be open in 2019/20.  The Committee was advised that the issue of knife crime was a matter for Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Board to consider and better understand the Lincolnshire profile.  It was agreed that a letter would be sent on behalf of the Committee to the Chairman of the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Board setting out the Committee's concerns regarding knife crime in relation to children and young people;

·         Page 66 - Table 5 – Schools currently judged to be inadequate and/or under an Interim Executive Board.  Particular reference was made to Skegness Academy.  Officers confirmed that the Head teacher from the academy was willing to work with the Council; and with the community;

·         Page 66 – Table 6 – Schools not yet inspected under current Ofsted URN/ DfE Number.  Concern was expressed to the position of the Gainsborough Academy.  It was highlighted that some schools were a challenge and that sponsorship would not bring about easy improvements, as some schools engaged better than others.  A suggestion was made for local Councillors Mrs W Bowkett and C Matthews to visit the Skegness Academy; and for Councillor M A Whittington to visit the West Grantham Academy, as part of their community role.

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 to ask questions in relation to Appendix D of the report and officers present responded to questions raised. 

RESOLVED

1.    That the performance report for Quarter 3, 2018/19 and the comments of the Committee be noted.

2.    That a letter be written to the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Board setting out the Committee's concern regarding knife crime in relation to children and young people.

3.    That arrangements be made by the Interim Director of Children's Services for Councillors Mrs W Bowkett and C Matthews to visit the Skegness Academy and for Councillor M A Whittington to visit the West Grantham Academy.