Agenda and minutes

None.

There were no declarations made.

The minutes of the meeting held on 12^th June, 2018 were agreed as a correct 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,

The Panel gave consideration to a report relating to the operational and financial performance challenge carried out by the Director of People of the Doncaster Children’s Services Trust, arising from the challenge meetings held between both parties.

Following an overview by the Director of People, highlighting areas that were good and remained good and those which had shown a welcome and praiseworthy transformation, in particular the quality of case file audits and assessments undertaken within timescale.  The Panel therefore addressed the following areas:

Front door, service demand and re-referrals – It was noted that high levels of need was not unique to Doncaster and the demand for services was highlighted by the number of contacts at the front door, which continued to be high.  It was acknowledged that some contacts and re-referrals were not appropriate and did not meet the threshold for intervention.  With regard to inefficient contacts and re-referrals from agencies, the Children and Families Executive Board were investigating where lead practitioner roles were not being undertaken correctly.

Members learnt that since January 2018 the Trust commissioned a review of front door challenges and ‘whole system’ efficiency, which would identify the pinch points within the children’s system including demand and other pressures.  Recommendations from that would be used to develop a future model.  It was hoped that clear options would be available for consideration by the end of the summer.

The front door has been assessed 3 times in the last 16 months by Ofsted who indicated that the front door services were safe.  Members acknowledged this but were asked to bear in mind the high demand, and it was stressed the system needed to work efficiently through every area.  Agencies were being challenged in a number of forums to ensure practitioners were being held to account where specific issues should be dealt with elsewhere.

Government Intervention - current position – Members were hopeful that Children’s Services would soon be removed from intervention and noted the hard work undertaken by all partners to achieve this.  The Panel was aware of the Trust’s savings and expenditure plan reductions but noted that some financial pressures still remained and stressed that it was key to continue with a high quality delivery of service for the Borough’s children.  The Panel was reminded that the Trust had acted with good corporate due diligence with a high standard of financial work now being undertaken.

OfSted and good practice – the Panel highlighted the good practice emerging from the Trust and that it had been acknowledged by Ofsted.

Following concern expressed, it was explained that Ofsted may not undertake a full inspection for 3 years but it would still retain the right to inspect earlier and there would be two focused visits under the new inspection framework.  More specific inspections would continue, for example, an adoption inspection of the Trust as a Independent Adoption Agency was due to start on 25^th July, Oakland respite unit had recently been inspected with an outstanding result and maybe  ...  view the full minutes text for item 101.

Further to the issues considered at the meeting on 5^th March, 2018 the Panel gave consideration to a progress report relating to effective delivery of high quality learning provision in response to local pressures and demand for learning places across Doncaster.

The Panel was made aware of the discussions with each school pyramid and groups of headteachers, to provide high quality learning provision across the borough.  Feedback and information on designed plans would be assessed over the summer holidays prior to the areas of development being proposed in the autumn term.

Safeguarding and Access Fund – the Panel was pleased to learn about the projects provided to schools through this funding.

School Exclusions – Members expressed concern with regard to school exclusions, particularly for those children and young people who were dealing with complex family behaviours and stressed the need to ensure good quality places in schools were available across the borough. 

With regard to Pupil Referral Units, it was recognised that the needs of young people were often inappropriately met and some pupils needed to be in a specialist setting. 

The Panel acknowledged that school practice was challenged with a key focus of attendance and fixed term exclusions with Ofsted taking the stance that they would directly challenge schools in it’s inspection process.  The Local Authority was also working with the Regional Schools Commissioner to address the position.

It was noted that school attendance/exclusion policies were very broad across the school spectrum but it is stressed that schools need to maintain a learning environment with a robust behaviour policy.  The use of exclusion may be required however and early intervention to improve standards was essential.

Members wished for the exact numbers of children and young people who had been excluded and also bearing in mind earlier discussions were interested in learning if there was any direct correlation between young people excluded from school and whether they were being supported through the Youth Offending Service.  Member requested if a case study could be provided relating to this issue.

Quality of school places – it was acknowledged that parents tend to move into areas or provide travel to where there were good school placements, but Members expressed concern that not all parents were able to do this and that quality placements must be provided across the whole Borough.

It was explained that it was the Council’s priority to ensure that all children and young people achieve their potential with admission and transport policies supporting this.  The Authority and partners were now also taking a long term approach by looking at individual area plans, pyramid by pyramid to meet the need of locality rather than just building another classroom on a school.

Resolved that:

1.     The discussion be noted;

2.     The number of permanent exclusions for 17/18 to be provided to Members;

3.     A case study(ies) be provided to a future meeting relating to the correlation between non-school attendance and crime of young people who were known to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 102.

The Panel gave consideration to its work plan for the 2018/19 year.  Further to attendance by the Youth Council at the last meeting and to encourage increased attendance of young people at the Panel, the Chair expressed his wish to have a permanent young person as an invitee on the Panel membership.  He also expressed a wish to hold meetings at 5pm. 

The Panel also requested that an invite for the meeting in December, be forwarded to the Children in Care Council when the Panel will address the Social Mobility Opportunity and Essential Life Skills item.

RESOLVED that:

1.     The report be noted

2.     The Children in Care Council be invited to attend the December meeting when the Panel gives consideration to the item on Social Mobility Opportunity and Esstential Life Skils;  and

3.     That consideration be given to meetings of the Panel being moved to a 5pm start time  and

4.     The Youth Council provide an update on their priorities.