Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors

None

There were no declarations of interest made.

RESOLVED: that the minutes be agreed as a true record with the inclusion of John Hoare, Sue McGuinness and Nikki McDonald.

(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).

There were no public statements made.

The Panel was provided with a summary of the business of the High Level Quarterly Performance challenge meeting of the Doncaster Children’s Services Trust (DCST) in Quarter 3 of 2017/18 and the Extraordinary Quarterly Performance Monitoring meeting of 30^th January 2018.

Members were informed that a draft Annual Report was considered by the Trust at the end of December 2017.  In addition, there was also an Extraordinary Quarterly Performance Monitoring meeting that took place on the 30^th January 2018 which was generated following concerns arising from the Quarter 3 report followed by a further meeting on the 22nd February 2018.

It was reported that OSMC will be holding a meeting in due course to receive an update on the finances and overspends of the DCST. 

The following areas were discussed by the Panel;

Case File Audits – Members were informed that of the case file audits sampled, 46 had identified areas of good and 9, of outstanding practice with the quality of the case recordings generally being of a high standard.  It was heard that a small number of cases (5) were graded as inadequate in Quarter 3. 

It was explained that the few cases graded as inadequate had improvement action plans in place which were monitored to completion by the Head of Service, with an independent audit within 6 months.  It was added that the Doncaster Safeguarding Children’s Board received a regular report of the audited cases from the Trust.

Members were reminded that areas of improvement had been made in how the Trust had become more transparent about its business and challenge through changes made in the process to provide greater assurances.   Members were informed that monitoring would now take place on a monthly basis.

It was outlined that positive changes being made included;

·         improving the way the DCST audit to sample better.

·         frequency and better recording of supervision.

·         additional training included monthly training staff of Team Managers.

·         improved recording and quality of plans.

·         improved performance reporting.

It was briefly explained that the overspend was a result of increased demand which was being replicated across the country.  It was outlined that there had been an additional 40 new children that had appeared in different places of the care ladder in the last financial year, as well as a growth of those in special guardianship arrangement.  It was added that there had been other types of payment and growth associated with Looked after Children mainly within foster care and that the net cost had increased as providers were charging more, all factors resulting in significant financial pressures being placed on the Trust.

Members heard that it was more about the average costs of placements that had increased and that there was no expectation that there would be any further increases in demand for the remainder of financial year.

Members were informed that the 20 recommendations within the 2015 Inspection Report had been delivered to completion and that the new action plan, (following the 2018 re-inspection would need  ...  view the full minutes text for item 81.

Members were presented with a paper providing detail regarding the recent publication of the Doncaster Opportunity Area (OA) Delivery Plan (DP) and funding associated with the OA programme due to be transferred to the Council over the life of the programme (2017/18 to 2019/20). The report also outlined the outcomes from the Cabinet decision made on the 6th of February alongside progress made towards implementation.

It was reported that the Delivery Plan includes 4 priorities:

·         Building solid foundation for all children;

·         Brilliant teaching and leadership for all secondary pupils programme;

·         No career out of bounds; and

·         Opportunities extend to all

Members were informed that each priority was led by a working group made up of local stakeholders and the programme is governed by a Partnership Board (PB) into which all the working groups report.  It was explained that the Board had a significant job in overseeing the implementation of plan and that it had the benefit of a Chair for whom education improvements was his business, with a deep seated commitment to outreach and the community.  It was recognised that it was not a platform that implemented change but engaged wider with stakeholders and made sure that the working groups do what they are supposed to do.

It was reported that to ensure synergy with wider Council activity the Opportunity Area programme work sits within the Learning theme of the Doncaster Growing Together Programme.  It was outlined that the programme will be monitored and progress reported on and dependencies managed with related projects and programme through the DGT programme.

It was explained that detailed plans had been developed since January 2018.

The following was raised as part of the discussion;

Extra-Curricular Activities - In respect of extra-curricular activities benefitting disadvantaged pupils, the Sutton Trust’s 2014 report found that wealthier children and those in private schools were more likely to access and utilise extra-curricular provision.  Members raised concern around the reference to private schools and it was explained that the report had highlighted that employers looked for essential life skills and it had been recognised that children and young people did not get an equal deal.  Reference was made to Expect Youth, who would be delivering the Essential Life Skills element of the programme and an associated mentoring offer.

It was explained that the £1,050k grant to Expect Youth was essential as it was about engaging further with partners.  It was outlined that a challenge had been placed through the board on secondary colleagues to target activity in enrichment time to those who really needed it and therefore using money to lever schools.  It was recognised that a challenge at board would be how can the funding can be applied to where it is needed?  Otherwise it needed to be considered how other partners can be used outside of school hours. 

Bernadette Nesbitt, a Co-optee on the Panel stressed that essential life skills were crucial for children and as they did not always want to stay in schools it was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 82.

Members received a report that provided them with an update on progress with Learning Provision Organisation in Doncaster, the establishment of the Learning Provision Organisation Board (Board), Learning Provision Organisation Strategy

(Strategy) and work to date.

Members were assured that this provision was to ensure the effective delivery of high quality learning provision in response to local demographic pressures and demand for learning places across Doncaster and thus has a significant impact in all wards.  It was explained that there was a much clearer picture of the landscape with a robust plan and strategy that had been consulted on.

Members were informed of the Learning Provision and Organisation Board that had been established to improve outcomes for all children by building strong partnerships, working effectively together and providing rigorous and regular performance management.  It was explained that the Board’s primary role was to ensure the effective delivery of the Learning Provision and Organisation Strategy.  It was explained that money went through the local authority who would work with the school.

Member raised concerns about projections around capacity, for example that Hayfield was oversubscribed yet would require more places.  Regarding Finningley, it was commented that there was a number of housing development sites being built which would place extra pressure on demand for places.  Members were informed that this supported why this policy was needed.  It was commented that in places there had been substantial new housing but that additional children had not materialised.    It was noted that it was about achieving a balance for children.

It was recognised that resources had diminished and that there was no other capital resources unless the Council brought it in.  It was shared that the Council had accomplished well to achieve S106 resources and a report could be brought back to the Panel outlining the available choices.

Members were informed that there would be a discussion with the DFE to obtain the necessary capital to ensure schools are fit and safe. 

It was explained in the report that underpinning the Strategy would be the Pupil Place Planning Local Area Plans.  That these plans made up pyramid based Key Data Reports and Pupil Place Proposal and Action Plan Reports and together incorporated both school place planning and childcare place planning in one set of strategic plans.  It was outlined that the reports look at a range of information from demographics through to the current situation, pyramid development compared to the current status of provision and the Council will plan to resolve any potential shortfalls.

Members were told how the outlined plans were considered and approved by the Board in January 2018.  It was stated that five pyramids had been prioritised for completion by the end of the Spring Term based on the demographic information and volume of additional housing.

RESOLVED That the Panel;

I.        Note the contents of the Report and the Learning Provision Organisation Strategy.;

II.        As part of the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel 18/19 Workplan, bring an  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83.

The Panel received a report to note the significant progress made to date to deliver the interim report and to note the next steps for the review over the next 3 months.

Members were reminded how the Post-16 Review built on the recommendations of the Education and Skills Commission’s report by covering the extent to which the borough-wide curriculum is geared towards future economic needs.  That the aim of the review was to enable Doncaster to make the best collective use of the entirety of its post-16 resources, and the opportunities presented by current government post-16 policy and funding reforms. 

The report outlined how in September 2017, Dr Paul Lally was commissioned to undertake the post 16 review on behalf of Doncaster Council, with an interim report produced by December 2017 and a full report to be produced by April 2018.  It was commented that as school 6^th forms decrease in numbers and size adaptive behaviour to look at a vocational areas. 

It was discussed that moving forward there needed to be the ability to work with local providers, and that if the school recognises they are not sustainable they will close. 

It was reported that there had been successes in the Government promoting ‘A’ Level and University, and that it was encouraging Doncaster Council had the highest level of apprenticeships in the country. 

Reference was made to the concept that Doncaster became a university city and that the establishment of a technical college had provided Doncaster with a stepping stone. It was acknowledged that whilst we need progression with the academic route, the whole system needs to get post-16 staying on.

It was reported that the majority of areas where the 6^th form provision had closed down had been had been in the most deprived areas.  A Member commented that the 6^th form facility (within Mexborough) had closed Summer 2017 due to a low uptake and had therefore looked to work in partnership and link in with the 6^th form provision at Dearne Valley.

Reference was made to travel to work paths that went outside of Doncaster (for example South of Goole, Nottinghamshire and East of Lincolnshire) and that the difficulties occurred when there was a poor quality of local provision.

RESOLVED that the Panel;

      I.        Note the report and the significant progress made to date to deliver the interim report

    II.        Note the next steps for the review over the next 3 months

   III.        Agree to receive the full report in April (by email) with an opportunity to provide comment.

  IV.        That as part of the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel 18/19 Workplan, bring an update of the Post 16 Review.

Members were reminded how the Education Inclusion programme sought to improve educational outcomes for all children in Doncaster, with a particular focus on vulnerable and/or disadvantaged children. It was outlined that part of this work was made up of a Behaviour and Attendance Review.  It was explained that the Council was at a crucial stage with this review and that the following had been identified.

·         That there had been a high rise in number of exclusions.

·         A lack of clarity and information

·         The need for future plans for Doncaster to offer some alternatives to build capacity across systems and ensure that there was a full and wide range of alternatives to ensure that young people’s needs are met.

It was outlined that at present there were 3 options being consulted on, with schools in particular as well as the wider stakeholder network (including young people and their families).  Members heard how those three options included an option for a mixed economy, where the local authority and the wider system (in particular schools) work in partnership to transform the current pathway and system ensuring that the resources were directed and targeted to meet the needs of Doncaster children.  It was explained that consideration was being given to delegate resources out to schools and deliver a quality output of young people.

It was shared that historically, arrangements had not been as robust as they should have been and that there was now due process and rigour in place.  It was commented that issues included not having visibility and transparency in the system, and that there was a need to make sure that it all works together with oversight in place.

An example was used how at times certain children should be excluded, however, a transfer might have been undertaken and that the recipient school was not aware as no appropriate communication had taken place.  As a result the child may continue with a separate school and would not be recorded as an exclusion but instead as a transfer. 

Regarding temporary exclusions, it was clarified that comprehensive data was held across the system and with individual schools.  It was added that work was being undertaken to ensure that there was challenge in place and that schools made sure that there was a collective and individual responsibility.  That some of this work was progressing through the development of the attendance strategy. 

It was clarified that placements occured within 6 days, making sure that there was a quality assessment in place and that social needs were met as well. 

RESOLVED that the Panel;

          I.        note the report; and

         II.        have the opportunity to consider the Behaviour Report prior to Cabinet on the 11^th April 2018.

The Panel received a report containing information with relation to the borough’s Attendance Strategy and associated delivery plan for the improvement of Attendance and Persistent Absence at school level.

In response to Elective Home Education, Members were informed as to how steps were being taken to build up an awareness of those children in the system and to ensure that partners were being effectively linked in. 

It was recognised that children who did not attend school were at a much greater risk of harm and presented a genuine safeguarding risk.  It was explained that the Council was therefore undertaking a proactive approach to ensure that those children were safe.

It was explained that nationally there was an awareness of Councils to be empowered with data around home education and to make sure that they were being educated in the right environment.

Members heard how Doncaster’s attendance and persistent absentee figures had been significantly below the national average.  Members raised concerns that neighbouring authorities were closer to the national averages and this created a significant gap between them and Doncaster.  It was felt that the Council needed to identify what the issues were.  It was outlined that in the last 12 months, the Council had improved its access to data and Members were assured that data would be looked at rigorously which included working alongside schools.  It was explained that different measures and a strategy were in place to ensure that capacity was being built into schools. 

Members were informed that there were a number of reasons behind the absenteeism data such as issues within the family environment and at home.  Members stated that they would like to receive a breakdown of what the local issues and types of absence were.  It was acknowledged that Doncaster had significant longer absences resulting from a secondary problem rather than primary.

Bernadette Nesbitt, as a Co-optee of the Panel and Head of a Doncaster school, stated that the school had already achieved what it could but that there was a lack of consistency with what the Council was doing.  Members supported that there needed to be change but raised concern around whether the right tools were in place in terms of the structure and resources available.  Concern was also expressed that implementation at such a late stage in the school year may result in further delays.

It was recognised that the Attendance Strategy and associated delivery plan was in its early days and needed to remain on the agenda through OSMCs quarterly Finance and Performance monitoring reports.

RESOLVED that the Panel;

      I.        Note the report; and

    II.        As part of the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel 18/19 Workplan, bring an update of the Attendance Strategy including a performance report specifically including an update on attendance.

The Panel received a report updating Members on the Panels work plan for 2017/18.  A copy of the work plan was attached at Appendix A of the report taking account of issues considered at the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny workplanning meeting held on the 1st June 2017.

Members were informed that the Panels combined meeting with the Youth Council as the takeover/challenge meeting will need to be arranged for May 2018.  It was added that there would be a number of updates and reports required to be added to the Panels workplan for 2018/19 as identify during today’s meeting discussion.

RESOLVED that the Panel note the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel report.