Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the public and press be excluded from the meeting for Appendix 1 of agenda item 6 Doncaster Children’s Services Trust:  Financial Overview Report on the grounds that exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 (Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person, including the Authority holding that information) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972, as amended may be disclosed upon consideration.

There were no declarations made.

The minutes of the meetings held on 18^th January and 8^th February, 2018 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

RESOLVED that:  The minutes be approved as a correct record.

[A period not exceeding 20 minutes for statements from up

to 5 members of the public on matters within the

Committee’s remit, proposing action(s) which may be

considered or contribute towards the future development of

the Committee’s work programme.]

There were no public statements.

Financial Information presented in Appendix 1 to the report is NOT FOR

PUBLICATION as it refers to information which is exempt as defined

within Paragraph 3, (information relating to the financial and business

affairs or any particular person, including the authority holding that

information) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972,

as amended. Contains commercially sensitive information.

Doncaster Caring DGT theme

The Committee received a financial update from Doncaster Children’s Services Trust.  Members were pleased that the recent Ofsted announcement showed the Trust was a good provider for the children and young people of Doncaster.

The areas highlighted from the Part I of the report included the 2017-18 budget that was originally set at £46.3m and was continually being monitored throughout the year with the Council and the Trust’s Finance and Infrastructure committee or Full Board.  The Medium Term Financial Strategy for the period 2018-21 together with a Capital Strategy had also been established by the Trust.

With regard to the front door services provided, it was noted that the number and level of complexity of children in care cases had continued to rise and at March 2018 was now at 555, therefore leading to an overspend of £2.9m for 2017/18 at Quarter 3. 

Due to the position it was noted that a Strategic Group had been established with the Council to address how the position could be managed.

At this point of the meeting, in order to enable the Committee to consider the contents of Appendix 1 to the report, which contained exempt information, it was:-

RESOLVED that the public and press be excluded from the meeting on the grounds that exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person, including the Authority holding that information) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972, as amended may be disclosed upon consideration of Appendix 1 to the report.

The details in the report were taken into account during discussions but Members stressed that they wished to hold the Trust to account, because the Council represented all children of the Borough and wished to ensure good practice and value for money was being provided.  The Committee addressed the following areas:

Budget – during discussion the care ladder placement type and contract average activity was taken into account.  It was stressed that the variances in agreed budgets were now regularly addressed with the Council through open discussions, outlining examples of demand and unexpected pressures.  It was stressed that the number of children in care was now at its highest level since the Trust was created.

Members were assured that robust management of expenditure was in place both within the Trust and the Local Authority with the month by month expenditure trend analysis being addressed.

Complexity of cases – After hearing of the increased complexity of cases and demand throughout the year the Committee wished to understand the costs associated with this.  The Trust outlined two examples of very difficult cases that could not have been planned for and how the children/young people were being supported, ensuring they were safeguarded and being cared for in an appropriate manner.  Members addressed possible early behavioural signs and questioned when and how certain behaviours were recognised.  The Committee acknowledged the care packages and measures that were required for such  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

DONCASTER LEARNING DGT THEME

Prior to Cabinet’s deliberation, the Committee gave consideration to the Behaviour Improvement Programme in line with phase 2 of the Children’s Commissioning Programme (February 2017-August 2018).

Members received a presentation and were informed that Doncaster had one of the highest rate of fixed term exclusions in the UK and was rising sharply, despite the Local Authority supporting schools to prevent this, therefore improving the position was a key priority of the Doncaster Learning Together Inclusion Programme and Children and Young People’s plan.

The overall aims of the Behaviour Review were as set out below and Members addressed how they could be achieved and how the Local Authority would support it.

·       To support and challenge schools to improve mainstream provision and prevent exclusion;

·       To ensure that educational provision in the Council’s specialist settings is of a high quality and meets the needs of learners;

·       To put in place a continuum of provision at all levels that prevents the social cost of the current situation, ensuring that young people are safe, engaged and able to access meaningful futures;  and

·       To build a high level of ownership and capability in mainstream settings.

Throughout discussions Members expressed that the children of Doncaster must be safeguarded and nurtured in their community as much as possible whilst also ensuring our schools were fit for purpose.  It was also stressed that schools needed to take more responsibility with challenging attendance practices.

Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) – It was recognised that there was a greater demand at the current time and recognised that some children were spending their whole school life in a PRU.  This was not necessarily providing the best outcomes for that child/young person and required improved management, and through Big Picture Learning would provide an enhanced and improved model for better learning.

Patterns of exclusion – Where there were distinct patterns and areas of concern, the Local Authority would contact the Regional Education Commissioner and an example of a recent concern regionally was highlighted to the Committee where provision and support would be challenged.

Systems leadership and management of the pathway – Members addressed the 3 options that had been presented to the mainstream sector relating to how other areas in the country managed the behaviour pathway, and the “mixed economy” model whereby some resources were refocused towards outreach whilst ensuring that the delivery model anticipated specific need more effectively.  It was stressed that extreme models would not be appropriate with the Local Authority undertaking a quality assurance role including challenge.  It would be the responsibility of schools to provide alternative provision if mainstream was not the most beneficial for a pupil.  It was suggested that the Local Authority could provide a commissioning framework that schools could purchase.

Violence in schools – In response to concerns and examples with regard to the under reporting of violence towards staff in school, it was recognised that there were many behavioural issues in schools, but safeguarding and the duty of care for both pupils  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.

DONCASTER LIVING – DGT THEME

Councillor Kidd, Chair of the Community and Environment Scrutiny Panel presented the recent Crime and Disorder review by outlining a summary of Members’ discussions and recommendations. 

RESOLVED that:  the Scrutiny Review be forwarded to Councillor Chris McGuinness Cabinet Member for Communities, Voluntary Sector and the Environment for consideration.

Councillor Rodgers, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee presented the Overview and Scrutiny Evaluation review report for the Committee’s approval, whilst highlighting the detailed programme of discussions undertaken by the review group.

It was proposed that the review report be approved subject to the Scrutiny Panel names remaining and that consideration be given to the recording of the OSMC meetings and making then available on the internet, as is the current practice for Full Council and Planning meetings.

RESOLVED that:

1.               The Scrutiny Evaluation report be agreed; 

2.               That Overview and Scrutiny Management and the Panel names remain but realign their work to the Doncaster Growing Together (DGT) theme;  and

3.               The suggested recording of OSMC meetings and being made available on the internet, be supported.

The Senior Governance Officer and Chair of the Committee reported the current Scrutiny Work Plan position to Members.

With regard to the Council’s Forward Plan of key decisions, it was noted that no further information was required by the Committee on any of the items detailed.

RESOLVED:  that the work plan, be noted.