Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 8^th September 2008 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

It was confirmed that no public questions had been received.

The Minutes of the Executive Board and the Executive Board Sub-Committee relating to the work of the Children and Young People Policy and Performance Board were submitted for information.

In respect of Minute No: EXB37, Members commended Officers for the excellent Joint Area Review.

In respect of Minute No: EXB57 – Play Builder Project – Clarity was sought on whether the new playgrounds had been identified.

In response it was reported that the Executive Board had approved the Year 1 projects and options for Years 2 and 3.  It was anticipated that the funding, £1m over three years for the Play Builder Project would fund up to 24 play areas in the Borough.  It was suggested that the Executive Board be circulated to all Members of the Board for information.

            RESOLVED: That

(1)               the Minutes and comment raised be noted; and

(2)       the report relating to Minute No: EXB57 – the Play Builder Project be circulated to all Members of the Board.

The Board considered a report of the Chief Executive on progress against service plan objectives and performance targets, performance trends / comparisons and factors affecting the services for:

·        Specialist Services;

·        Universal and Learning Services;

·        Preventative Services; and

·        Business Planning and Resources.

The Chairman reported that a Special Meeting of the Board had been arranged on 26^th November 2008, at 6.30 pm in the Civic Suite, Runcorn Town Hall.  He also gave an update on the Working Groups as follows:-

·        Oral Health Working Group – Ongoing

·        Access To Services for the Homeless – a new Lead Officer is to be identified; and

·        The Youth Justice Board  - a meeting would be arranged in the near future.

Universal & Learning Services

·        The key areas of developments were noted;

·        ULS3 – To improve Educational Outcomes for all Children at Primary Level – clarity was sought on the amber light.  In response it was reported that in this area of work there would always be areas that could be improved resulting in the amber light.  This enabled the Authority to stay alert and ensure that firm controls were in place and action taken when and if required;

·        ULS6 – To reduce health inequalities by promoting healthy lifestyles in schools – clarity was sought on what was being done to increase the percentage of young people between the ages of 4 – 18  participating in at least two hours of high quality PE school sport.  In response it was reported that work was continually being undertaken with schools to improve this indicator.  However, it was also highlighted that it was a difficult indicator to monitor and it was probable that the percentage was higher than the recorded 86%;

·        It was noted that the Building Schools for the Future Programme would map out the provision of PE, Sports, Arts and Culture and how to extend their use and increase facilities.  It was also noted that the National Health School Status included participation in exercise;

·        The revised funding for SEN Units implemented in April 2008 was noted;

·        Leadership and Management Hub – The issues and actions being taken to address the potential shortfall in the number of headteachers available to replace headteachers leaving their posts because of retirement etc in the next few years was noted;

·        It was noted that there had been a 7% rise in KS3 results this year .  It was also noted that the press had reported that there would not be SATS or report cards in the future.  However, the Authority would put appropriate mechanisms in place to check and monitor progress at KS3;

·        In respect of the issue of boys underachieving, it was noted that an analysis of this group would be undertaken and solutions formulated; and

·        Standard School Year – It was noted that consultation was being undertaken by a number of Greater Merseyside Authorities on whether to move to a Standard School Year, splitting the school year into six terms of roughly equal lengths and fixing this pattern regardless  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

The Chairman requested that this item be deferred for consideration at the next meeting.  He indicated that Members could email any concerns that would not wait for the next meeting to the Committee Administrator for action.

RESOLVED: That consideration of this item be deferred to the next meeting of the Board.

The Chairman requested that this item be deferred to the next meeting.

RESOLVED: That consideration of this item be deferred to the next meeting of the Board.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Children and Young people which provided Members with an overview of the issues that impact on Children in Care and their experience of transition from care into adult life.

The Board was advised that there were 148 Children in Care in Halton and 78 Care Leavers.  The population of Children in Care had remained consistent over a number of years as a result of the emphasis placed on supporting families and seeing care as a final positive choice for children and young people.

The Board was further advised that all children who came into care had a clear plan, which considered the needs of the individual child and how these needs could be matched to an alternative carer and other service provision.  The care planning process was driven by the health and well being of the child. 

It was reported that the Authority would need to improve the continuity of planning for children as they leave care and delay the ‘event’ until the young person was ready to leave home.  This could be achieved by extending the offer for young people to stay with their carer until they were 21 years of age.  It was highlighted that this would have funding implications and could have an impact on the availability of placements for other children, but it was an essential first step to improving outcomes for Children in Care.

The actions and the next steps as set out in paragraphs 4.3 (i-v), 4.4 and 4.5 of the report were also highlighted for consideration by the Board.

Arising from the discussion, the following comments were noted:-

·        It was noted that Appendix 1 to the Children in Care Strategy was not attached to the report.  It was agreed that this be circulated to Members;

·        It was suggested that a report be presented to the Board on the quality of the Section 33 and Climbē visits before the Corporate Parenting Conference was rerun in February 2009.  It was also suggested that information on the visits be sent to all Members asking that they receive training and participate in the visits;

·        Concern was raised regarding the quality of the reports in respect of Section 33 visits and ensuring that actions were followed up.  It was suggested that the form be amended to include a date for any actions that had been taken.  It was suggested that the reports, be anonymised and reported back to the Board;

·        The Board supported the actions set out in paragraphs 4.3 (i-v) and the next steps set out in paragraph 4.5 of the report.

RESOLVED: That

(1)               Appendix 1 to the Children in Care Strategy be circulated to all Members of the Board;

(2)               a report detailing the quality of Section 33 and Climbē visits be presented to the January meeting of the Board;

(3)               the Section 33 and Climbiē visit reports be anonymised and reported back to the Board as good practice; and

(4)               the actions set out  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.