Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Civic Office, Waterdale, Doncaster DN1 3BU. View directions

Contact: C  Senior Governance Officer

Items
No. Item

31.

Apologies for absence

32.

To consider the extent, if any, to which the public and press are to be excluded from the meeting.

Minutes:

None.

33.

Declarations of Interest, if any.

Minutes:

There were no declarations made at the meeting.

34.

Minutes of the meeting held on 6th December, 2016. pdf icon PDF 116 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting be agreed as a correct record.

35.

Public Statements

(A period not exceeding 20 minutes for statements from up to 5 members of the public on matters within the Panel’s remit, proposing action(s) which may be considered or contribute towards the future development of the Panel’s work programme).

Minutes:

Mr Brown stated that he was attending the meeting as a parent of two young people that attended a school in Doncaster.  He explained that he was concerned about their ability to realise their potential sadly due to the colour of their skin.  He continued to outline that it was not always the case that children from a BME background had the opportunity to realise their potential.

 

He continued to question why there were so few black and Asians working for Doncaster Council and in his opinion there were many reports of silent inequalities that exist. 

 

He outlined that if there was no monitoring of race equality then the council is not showing any regard to its equality duty.  He continued by explaining that his comments were linked to the out of date Health Needs Assessment as children’s health needs changed over the last 13 years and sought assurances that the Council and Children’s Trust were doing something about it, stating he was not seeing these assurances.

 

In conclusion he stated that the Councillors and colleagues will keep seeing him attending meetings and thanked the Panel for letting him speak.

 

The Chair stated that the Panel would consider his statement during debate.

 

36.

Youth Council - Introduction and Overview pdf icon PDF 173 KB

Minutes:

The Youth Council appreciated the opportunity to attend the Scrutiny Panel and present information relating to the Youth Council Election 2017. 

 

It was noted that over the last 5 years Doncaster had seen an increase in youth participation.  There was a peak in participation in 2015 with 2016 still seeing better than national performance with a figure of 19.49% of participation compared to a national participation figure of 16.60%.

 

The Youth Council elections had been promoted in a number of ways including the Director of Children’s Services raising it at the Head Teachers Forum, promotional emails, posters and a DVD to be shown in all schools and created a Google Application Form and Web page.

 

An outline of the schools and numbers represented on the Youth Council was provided including the number of area seats and specialist group seats, for example for Young Careers and Doncaster College, as follows:

 

Total Seats Available:  52 (34 schools, 8 Areas, 10 specialist groups)

Seats Filled:  39 (24 schools, 5 areas, 10 specialist groups)

 

The total of young people who voted in the election was yet to be confirmed but it was thought to be in the region of 6,000.

 

It was highlighted that the priority work for the Youth Council was Transport for 11 – 18 year olds including accessibility, affordability and accountability.

 

To conclude, the Youth Councillors requested if they could return to the Panel in July.

 

The following issues were addressed:

 

·         Most effective place for youth engagement – this was undertaken by Members in many areas but it was thought maximum connection would be through youth clubs.

 

·         Support to increase turnout – the Youth Council advised that any links Members had with schools to promote the Youth Council would help increase turnout as that is where participation was mainly sought.

 

·         Election format – the election was undertaken on a 50/50 split with some voting on the internet and some in mock polling stations.  It was stressed that the process also had an educational side with some Youth Council members attending schools, to discuss the issue with other young people.

 

The Panel thanked the Youth Council for attending the meeting.

 

RESOLVED: that the Youth Council be invited to the meeting in July, 2017.

 

37.

Performance Challenge of Doncaster Children's Services Trust: Quarter 3, 2016/17 pdf icon PDF 564 KB

Minutes:

The Panel gave consideration to a report outlining the review and analysis of the performance challenge undertaken by the Director of Learning, Opportunity and Skills of the Doncaster Children’s Trust in Quarter 3.

 

The issues outlined were noted and the following areas were addressed:

 

Care leavers in employment, education or training figures – clarity was sought on the data issue quoted in the report which seemed to be under reporting the true performance, which was a more positive position, as it was incorrectly counting children who were not care leavers.  This issue would be clarified with the DfE.   A breakdown was provided with a figure of 35 who were genuinely unemployed, which had reduced significantly from 12 months earlier.  Accelerator Initiatives have been developed in partnership with the Trust and the Local Authority with industry providers to give real work experience to 16 plus from April this year, to assist with reducing the NEET figure.

 

Children in Need with an open and current plan – It was noted that the content of a child’s plan could not be mathematically assessed but that ensuring a plan for each child in care was in place and being activated can be measured.  It was noted that there had been a positive increase and was now within tolerance and that an improved method of counting had been devised for future reporting.

 

Children in care and other placements – In response to Members queries, it was noted that the explanation in the report relating to this issue was in response to properties (children’s homes) being temporary closed for refurbishment and being brought back into use, which will support demand for places and reduce the number of out area placements.

 

RESOLVED:   that the report, be noted.

 

38.

Doncaster Children's Services Trust Annual Report pdf icon PDF 229 KB

Minutes:

The Panel considered a report relating to the process and substance of the Annual Contract Review, which the Secretary of State required the Local Authority to undertake each year on the operation of the Doncaster Children’s Services Trust. 

 

Members noted the specific proposals made to:

 

·       Transfer the Family Support function;

·       Revise the basket of key performance indicators;

·       Change the timing of the Annual Contract Review;  and

·       Change the mechanism for the governance and accountability of the contract.

 

RESOLVED:  that the Panel supports and note the following:

 

a)    The effective partnership working between the Council and the Trust which supported the submission of the Annual Contract Review on time and in accordance with the specified scope of the review;  and

 

b)    The request for amendment to the Contract which have been made to the Secretary of State to:-

 

·       Agree the proposed changes to the timing of the Annual Contract review process;

·       Agree the annual revised basket of performance indicators at local level;

·       Agree the proposed changes to the Governance and accountability of the monitoring plan;  and

·       Agree the proposed transfer of the Family Support Function from the Council to the Trust.

 

 

39.

Doncaster Children's Trust Annual Complaints and Compliments report 2015/16 pdf icon PDF 167 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Panel gave consideration to the Children’s Trust report of annual complaints and compliments.

 

Concern was expressed that sometimes social workers could approach situations in the wrong way and sought assurances that they were receiving support and training on how best to interact with clients.  It was noted that staff development and support was ongoing and that everyone was aware that all clients need to feel respected when being spoken to.  It was noted that if there was the slightest report of a problematic issue, then it was investigated.  It was recognised that social workers could regularly find themselves in very emotional situations and sometimes there were difficult messages to deliver.  If there were complaints relating to a social worker’s behaviour and manner then it was investigated. 

 

Independent investigating officers – these people do not work for the Trust and ensures that investigations are independent.  The Trust has used a consultancy to provide investigating officers that have a wealth of experience.

 

RESOLVED that the report, be noted.

 

40.

Effectiveness of Pupil Premium across Doncaster pdf icon PDF 240 KB

Minutes:

The Panel was presented with a report outlining work to support schools and early years’ providers to support disadvantaged children (from age 3 – 4 up to year 11) who receive pupil premium funding.  This additional funding was for publicly funded schools to raise the attainment of disadvantaged pupils, of all abilities, and close the gaps between them and their peers.

 

The funding allocation for 2016/17 was based on January 2016 school census data, as follows:

 

£1,320 for pupils in reception to year 6

£935 for pupils in year 7 to 11

 

In response to a Member’s concern, it was explained that Pupil Premium funding followed the individual child or young person.  Schools were required to publically publish and were challenged on how funding was used.  It was acknowledged that schools could struggle with free school meal take up, if parents do not apply, but encouragement was provided at parents meetings and visits to parents.

 

How Pupil Premium is used, was agreed by the Head Teacher, and could, for example, be used for hours of learning provided by a Teaching Assistant.  It was stressed that the Local Authority and Partners in Learning were successful in submitting a bid for funding to the Education Endowment Foundation and working in partnership, the “Making the Best Use of Teaching Assistants” programme was able to be successfully delivered to 64 schools.

 

To conclude, it was confirmed that a more detailed report would be shared with school leaders in the near future with regard to pupil premium.

 

RESOLVED that the report, be noted.

 

41.

Doncaster Exam and Assessment Results 2016 pdf icon PDF 180 KB

Minutes:

Further to the report provided to the Panel on 27th September, when more detail was provided, Members gave consideration to the final exam and assessments results 2016.  The Panel acknowledged the pleasing performance for early years foundation stage and the improvement at key stage 4 which was reported to be the 5th most improved nationally with an increase of 5 percentage points which had been matched by few local authority areas; BME communities, the latter of which do very well at specific key stages and in those circumstances often above the national cohorts.

 

With regard to the Move on Move Up scheme, the Local Authority was looking to extend the project that was designed to help provide students with the skills and qualifications needed to make the most of opportunities coming up in the Borough, by supporting the work schools do to help students with exams and revision.  This included:

 

·         Providing additional study sessions led by qualified learning mentors across Doncaster;  and

·         Designing GCSE guides and mailing these to students and parents to support with revision.

 

RESOLVED that the report, be noted.

 

42.

Council's response to the Education & Skills Commission pdf icon PDF 195 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Panel received a report relating to the Statement of Implementation following the Independent Doncaster Education and Skills Commission review.  Consultation indicated a reordering of structure and some reconfiguring of details in order to demonstrate clear intent.  The focus would be to deliver the recommendations and ensure the main streams were connected to make it work:

 

Education and Skills Partnership Board (Implementation Board)

·       Whole Person Whole Life Focus

·       Skills for Growth

·       Schools Partnership:  The Professor Sir Tim Brighouse Challenge

·       Reviews

 

RESOLVED:  that the report, be noted.

 

43.

Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel Workplan 2016/17. pdf icon PDF 175 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Panel considered and noted the Work Plan for 2016/17. 

 

Members and Officers were asked to give thought to the areas that required consideration at the start of the new civic year, 2017/18 and to inform the Senior Governance Officer.

 

RESOLVED:  that the report be noted.