Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors John Mounsey, Nikki McDonald and Sean Gibbons.

None

There were no declarations of interest made.

RESOLVED: That the minutes be agreed as a true record subject to the addition of Councillor Jane Cox as being in attendance and the name “Bernadette” to be added before Nesbit under apologies.

(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 considered a report which provided a review and analysis of the performance challenge carried out by the Director of People of Doncaster Children’s Services Trust in Quarter 1 of 2017/18 arising from the challenge meetings held between both parties.

Members were informed that there had been a range of challenge processes that had taken place.  These included three thematic Ofsted monitoring visits and finally a fourth visit with a focus on the ‘Front Door’, all of which had provided positive feedback.  Members were informed that performance was well within tolerance as part of the annual contract review or otherwise were on track to be completed.  

A1: Re-referrals in the last 12 months/E1: Contacts to Social Care - It was shared that the main concern was around demand pressures at the ‘Front Door’.  As a result, a review had been undertaken by external consultants who identified that the system wasn’t working as well as it should be and that further work would be needed with the Early Help process.  It was added that additional funding had been secured to provide a specialist resource with an understanding of Police referrals.

A2: Timeliness Of Single Assessments – It was seen that timeliness had fallen further in Quarter 1 and was now below tolerance (although it was clarified that this was a stretch target).  It was explained that this reflected demand pressures and where quality wasn’t right, assessments were being pushed back. It was explained that additional funding had been agreed to secure temporary social work resources which tackled caseloads level and should have a positive impact. 

Members were informed that A3: The Percentage of Case Files Audits had been rated ‘Requires Improvement or Better’ had improved and was within tolerance.  Other areas highlighted included Youth Offending Services targets showing a more positive trend.

E20-22 Children in Care with up to date: Health Assessment/Dental checks/ Personal Education Plans (PEPS) - Members were informed that there had been a challenge at a recent Corporate Parenting Board meeting regarding delays about health assessments and dental checks.  Members were informed that the situation had improved and offered to be provided with up-to-date information.  Regarding dental checks, it was explained that there could be challenges in registering older children at dentists who could elect not to engage. 

Regarding PEPS, it was commented that an improvement had been made since the last quarter.  Members were made aware that an interim Head of Virtual School had recently been appointed and was attending weekly meetings.  It was added that efforts were being made to improve technological systems at the Doncaster Children’s Services Trust. 

Members were provided assurances that working relationships had improved with Social Workers and the virtual school.  It was explained that there had been a combined effort to sharpen focus on Personal Education Planning (PEP) and that 66% of quality PEPs had been signed.

B14: Care Leavers in Employment, Education and Training (EET) – It was explained that further work was being undertaken regarding the outcomes of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

Members were presented with the Doncaster Children’s Services Trusts (DCST) Annual Report for complaints activity during the period 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017.  It was reported that it was the Customer Experiences Managers first full year in the role

It was reported that;

• There had been more direct complaints from a variety of sources for first stage complaints.
• 67% of complaints were dealt with within a statutory timescale.
• More time had been spent on the quality assurance of complaints. 
• Time had been taken to address complaints which prevented them from escalating to Stage 2.
• The Trust was learning from its complaints and making positive changes where appropriate.
• The move of the Advocacy Service into the Customer Experience Team had seen the start of improved access to advocacy support.  It was commented that advocates had started to build open and honest relationships with young people to support them in getting their voice heard and making an impact on planning for their future.
• The Trust had been very proactive in taking compliments.

Members of the Panel and Senior Officers recognised how much the report had improved and were pleased to hear how the Trust was learning from mistakes made and making improvements moving forward. 

It was outlined that a complaintive had made a number of complaints which had been since addressed through the vexatious policy.  Members were informed how there had been a reduction in Stage 2 which related to what had been done at Stage 1.  It was added that historical complaints had now been resolved. 

Regarding the increased number of complaints to the Ombudsman, Members were concerned that this presented a risk to the reputation of the authority.  It was explained that this was due to a repeat complainant who the Ombudsman was already aware of.

In respect of why complaints in certain areas were higher than in others, it was explained that Central holds more cases and therefore receives more.

Members were informed that the Customer Experience Manager would speak to Managers at an early stage, utilise diary management and monthly reporting mechanisms to encourage progress to be made.  It was added that Heads of Services had been supportive when the complaint had escalated to a higher level. 

It was explained that ACS dealt with the most highly sensitive area of the service, where families may need to have a child protection plan and engage with Social Workers for the first time. 

Regarding Children in Care, Members were told how this area was more settled and how advocacy services were being developed to draw out more about their experiences etc.  It was added that there had been a specific Ofsted inspection of care homes and the Behavioural Policy had been noted on.

RESOLVED that the Panel note the report.

Members were presented with a report that outlined performance across a range of educational indicators which either formed part of or contributed to the performance tables published by the Department for Education.  The report covered areas below:

• Attainment and achievement
• Exclusions
• Attendance
• Ofsted judgements

It was added that the data was provisional and a final release from the DfE was being waited on. 

Members were informed that the Council had transformed its own school improvement functions and relationship with the Teaching Schools Alliance that provided step monitoring.  Regarding the Teaching Schools Alliance, Members were informed that they had been challenged to provide likewise with those schools under its own authority.  It was added that letters had been sent out to schools of concern and to academies as part of a whole system approach.  It was commented that there should be more of a focus on Children in Care

Children and Young People (CYP) Plan – It was explained that the Children and Young People Plan had accountability for all outcomes including those for health which are delegated from the Health and Wellbeing Board.  As discussed in the previous item, those outcomes for social care are delivered on our behalf through the Trust.  Academies are commissioned through the Secretary of State and the Department for Education, through funding agreements.  In spite of this relationship, the authority is still held to account in respect of their outcomes. Reference was made to the Children and Young People Plan and it was questioned how the authority could help objectives when children aged 8 to 11 were in academies and there was an increasing number of primary school becoming academies.

Attendance/Absenteeism - In respect of attendance, it was noted that absenteeism in Doncaster was above the national average and Members were informed that a review was being undertaken early September.  It was explained that this would look at the current levels of absenteeism and recommendations would be made as to how this could be addressed. It was reported that this review would be implemented alongside the Behaviour Review during the course of the 2017/18 school year.  It was recognised that some academies had adopted a zero tolerance policy and excluded pupils that had a legal entitlement to education.   This had resulted in an increase in managed moves to other schools or placements in Learning Centres or the Pupil Referral Unit which were now at full capacity.  It was felt that this was neither desirable, nor sustainable, hence the review.  Members were informed that a dialogue had been convened with secondary heads to firstly, engage with the “here and now” challenge, and secondly, consider the strategic approach to be taken to reform the  whole behaviour support and alternative education system.

Behaviour Inclusion Programme - Members were reminded that the Panel considered the Behaviour Inclusion Programme Overview, which was being conducted over three phases at its last meeting.  Members had been informed that there had been a number of recommendations made which would be implemented in two  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

This report presented progress made on the Education and Skills Commission and Social Mobility Opportunity Area (SMOA).  It was outlined how in January 2017, Mayor Ros Jones announced the formal response to the independent One Doncaster Report. In the same month, Doncaster was awarded SMOA status by the Department for Education. The report set out the progress made to date in terms of implementing the recommendations of the One Doncaster report, and also how it aligned with the structure and intent of SMOA in the borough.

Members were informed that to ensure effective leadership and oversight of the programmes, two programmes boards had been established to set the strategic direction for the programmes and to take key decisions about direction and implementation. It was explained that the boards meet monthly, and do so in two consecutive one hour slots, due to the distinct cross-over in membership.

Members were told that the first draft of problem diagnosis would be undertaken in the near future. It was continued that feedback will then be incorporated into the delivery plan that is published at the end of October and ultimately be signed off by the Secretary Of State.

RESOLVED that the Panel note the progress to date and endorse the direction of travel for the development of the two programmes of work.

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 to the report taking account of issues considered at the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny workplanning meeting held on the 1^st June 2017.  Reference was made to an issue around school transport for young people; a response was requested from the Assistant Director, Commissioning and Business Development.

Members were reminded that a visit had been arranged for Member of the Panel to visit it the Hub at the Mary Woollet Centre to consider issues that included;

• Early Help;
• Transferred family support workers;  and
• Front door pressure

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