Issue - meetings

The Board received a report from the Executive Director of Children’s Services, which outlined (1) the progress made against the targets set out in the Area Priority Action Plan, following the SEND Area Inspection in November 2023; and (2) provided an update of progress in improvement work following receipt of the Delivering Better Values (DBV) grant.

It was reported that the Area Priority Action Plan was developed in partnership with stakeholders from across the area, and was subsequently approved by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission.  The Inspectorate identified 5 priority areas for improvement.  The Board received updates on the progress being made against all 5 areas of the Priority Action Plan; the current risks to delivery; and the control measures in place to mitigate the risks.

In relation to the DBV programme, the report outlined the process of the grant application and bid and the subsequent successful award of a £1m grant for Halton. 

The report presented how the grant would be split into two workstreams (1) Behaviour Support Change programme; and (2) Inclusion Framework, and described the objectives of each.

In response to Members questions, the following information was provided:

·       Some areas of the Priority Action Plan were yet to start, as they involved working with other stakeholders – these generally related to strategy and policy work, so would not affect children in any way;

·       Under the DBV Programme ‘Thrive’ would be implemented under workstream 2. This was discussed and it was clarified that schools themselves become the practitioners via staff online training, but the child receives a face to face service;

·       The list of participating schools  that have taken up the Thrive Licensed Childhood Practitioner Training had grown since the publication of the agenda report; and

·       One Member queried the status of the previous Nurture Programme – this had done its job and was now considered as embedded practice, so schools continue this to date.

It was recognised that the aim was to get as much value as possible from the £1m funding, which was a one off grant payment.

RESOLVED:  That the report is noted.