Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Sue McGuinness

There were no Declarations of Interest made

The minutes were agreed and approved as a true record.

(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

Members were presented with a 6 month update since 1^st October 2014 when the trust became operational.  A summary of the Trust’s monitoring arrangements were outlined, these included: -

·         Quarterly Performance Monitoring Group

·         Annual Contract Review Meeting (approximately December 2015).

·         6 monthly update to the Secretary of State for Education

·         DFE have also commissioned a separate organisation, “Achieving for Children” to monitor the Trust’s performance and report back to DfE each quarter.

Placement Costs – Members learnt that the placement costs of Children in Care continued to be a challenge.  It was stated that the focus was on the most expensive placements first.  Members were informed that they had been reduced by 5 which included both those who had ended their care and others who had now been placed locally.

Members were told that although out of authority placements were high outside the Borough, there was a certain percentage that would not be able to return.  It was recognised that the main focus needs to prevent children going out and to plan carefully for those placed out of the borough to be able to return.

Timeliness of Assessments and Statutory Visits – Members were told that this had shown improvement and that: -

·         A percentage of single assessments completed within the target of 45 days had shown an upward trend from 87% in October 2014 to 94% in May 2015.

·         Child Protection Plans without a statutory visit within 2 weeks had shown a downward trend from 8% in October 2014 to 1% in May 2015.

Percentage of Care Leavers - in education or training has shown an upward trend since October 2014 from 49% to currently 55%. It was commented that this figure could be further improved and that Officers would like to see it around 85%

Recruitment – Members were informed that this area had shown progress as it was reported that the number of Frontline full-time posts occupied by Agency staff had shown a downward trend from October 2014 from 12% to 10.2% in May 2015

Performance Framework – Members were told that the Performance Framework was taking shape (with a set of two performance indicators) and that the initial corporate scorecard had been created.

Finance – Further to the information outlined in the report, members were informed that the surplus created by the trust had been paid back to the authority.

Pay Cost – Members were informed that the pay cost was heading in the right direction.

Innovation Fund and ongoing development work - Members were informed about additional funding that had been secured to support a number of innovative high impact improvement projects.

The projects were individually discussed as outlined below.  A Member enquired as to whether there would be any other projects coming up in the future that weren’t already listed.  The Panel was informed that there were no plans for any further big projects as there was no more money available nationwide but that the position would be monitored for individual or joint  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Following the Local Authority Inspection of School Improvement Arrangements, a report was received by the Local Authority detailing the assessed progress to date by the Ofsted Inspection.  It was shared that the outcome of the inspection recognised the difference that had been made in this area.

Members were informed that there would be no further visits from Her Majesty’s Inspector (HMI).  It was added that the Regional Senior HMI will continue to monitor the local authority’s arrangements for school improvement.

Members were informed that the first draft of a post-inspection action plan has been completed, but would be amended in due course. 

Budget Surpluses in Schools – There was a discussion as to why so many schools have unacceptably large budget surpluses.  Members learnt that this had been an issue faced for some time.  It was clarified that there was no claw-back mechanism in place.  Members were assured that this would be looked at by the Schools Forum and it was acknowledged that this was a challenge for School Governors and Elected Members as well.  Members were informed that this information is available and published with more detail.

Members were told that as a result of Pupils Premium, more money might be brought into the school than expected and therefore some money might be left over.  It was recognised that schools have bank accounts which cannot go into deficit and despite there being a 4 year programme in place.

Careers Information Advice and Guidance (CIAG) – Concern was raised about the standard of CIAG within schools and this was recognised as an area of poor performance.  A Member commented that there should be more of a commitment towards this in schools and we should be looking further at areas of good practice. ‘A’ levels were also not deemed as being particularly good enough within Doncaster.  Members were told that Jayne Vose - Head of Service Learner Engagement was better placed to respond to Members questions.

Virtual School – There was a discussion about the role of the virtual school in monitoring and improving outcomes for looked after children which had been reported in the inspection as not being very well developed.  Members were told that Looked After Children had achieved better than the national average in terms of progress.  Members were informed that a Peer Review had been commissioned with feedback shortly due.  Members were informed that a Secondary Raising Achievement Officer had been recruited.  Members were informed that following the outcome of the review that there would be an Action Plan in place.

Attainment Figures – A Member referred to a disappointing 7% reduction in GCSE results show on last year.  It was noted that it was important not to look at only one outcome on its own and that maintaining a consistency of education across the Borough was essential.  Reference was made to the significant gap in the Early Years provision and the Panel was informed that an officer responsible for early year’s provision has been appointed.  Members  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.