Agenda and minutes

The Minutes of the meeting held on the 6^th January 2011 having been printed and circulated were signed as a correct record.

            The Minutes of the meeting held on 6^th January 2011 having been printed and circulated were signed as a correct record.

            It was reported that no public questions had been received.

            It was reported that no public questions had been received.

            The Board received a report which contained the Minutes relating to the Children and Young People Portfolio which had been considered by the Executive Board since the last meeting of the PPB.

            RESOLVED: That the Minutes be noted.

            The Board received a report which contained the Minutes relating to the Children and Young People Portfolio which had been considered by the Executive Board since the last meeting of the PPB.

            RESOLVED: That the Minutes be noted.

(NB: Cllr P.Lloyd Jones declared a personal interest in the following item due to being a Non-Executive Director of Halton and St Helens PCT NHS Trust.)

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Children and Young People which provided an update on progress regarding teenage conceptions for 2009/10.

            It was reported that the National Teenage Pregnancy Strategy was launched in 1998 with the aim of halving the under 18 conception rate by 2010. Whilst 2008 saw the lowest conception rate in England for over 20 years, it was noted that this was way short of the 50% target. The updated National Strategy beyond 2010 set out what had been achieved so far and was proposed post 2010.

            It was further reported that Halton’s performance had fluctuated in recent years, however, a 25.7% reduction was achieved in 2008 in comparison to 2007.

            The report set out Halton’s performance data up to quarter 3 in 2009 which set out that Halton’s quarter 3 rate was 63.9 per 1000 girls aged 15 to 17 and Halton was 76% above the national rate for quarter 3. It was further noted that Halton’s average rate for quarters 1, 2 and 3 in 2009 was 65.4.

            Members were advised that the estimated population figures for females aged 15 – 17 residing in Halton showed a reduction in population. Therefore, even if the actual numbers of conceptions were exactly the same as the previous year, the rate would show an increase. Members were further advised that this could make a percentage increase in the rate of conception appear worse than the reality due to the Borough being a relatively small population.

            The report also set out causes of teenage conceptions, what Halton had done to tackle under 18 conceptions and what the Council planned to do next.

            RESOLVED: That the progress be noted.

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Children and Young People which provided an update on progress regarding teenage conceptions for 2009/10.

            It was reported that the National Teenage Pregnancy strategy was launched in 1998 with the aim of halving the under 18 conception rate by 2010. Whilst 2008 saw the lowest conceptions rates in England for over 20 years, it was noted that this was way short of the 50% target. The updated National Strategy beyond 2010 set out what had been achieved so far and what was proposed, post 2010.

            It was noted that the data was measured by every 1000 young women aged 15 to 17, and also for under 16’s. Members were advised that figures provided would always be two years behind, however they did show that Halton’s performance had fluctuated in recent years and a 25.7% reduction was achieved in 2008 in comparison to 2007.

            The report set out Halton’s performance data up to quarter 3 in 2009 which set out that Halton’s quarter 3 rate was 63.9 per thousand girls aged 15 to 17 and Halton was 76% above the national rate for quarter 3. It was further noted that Halton’s average rate for quarters 1, 2 and 3 for 2009 was 65.4.

            Members were advised that the estimated population figures for females aged 15 to 17 residing in Halton showed a reduction in population. Therefore, even if the actual numbers of numbers of conception were exactly the same as the pervious year, the rate would show an increase. Members were further advised that this could make a percentage increase in the rate of conception appear worse than the reality due to the Borough being a relatively small population.

            The report also set out causes of teenage conceptions, what Halton had done to tackle under 18 conceptions including the implementation of activities across the Borough, and what the Council planned to do next.

            Arising from the report Members queried whether the figures provided included terminations.  In response it was noted that the data only related to live births. The Board also discussed the preventative intervention agenda and safe sex.

            RESOLVED: That the progress be noted.

The Board received a presentation from Fred Flintstone of the Findings of the Youth Service Review.

RESOLVED: That the presentation be noted.

            The Board received a presentation from Rachel Peacock – Action for Children - on the findings of the Youth Service Review.

            The presentation outlined the following:

• reasons for the review of the youth service in 2010;

• what the review considered;

• who was involved in the review?;

• the five recommendations from the review;

• managing and resourcing Halton Youth Service;
• improving partnerships;
• service delivery;
• safeguarding; and
• evidencing impact.

• recurring themes; and

• what had happened so far

Arising from the presentation the following points were noted:

• statistics showed that the Youth Service had over achieved in terms of involvement and that youth workers knew over 3000 young people by name;

• 60% of young people got involved with schemes and activities; and

• Data showed that young people were travelling from Runcorn to Widnes and vice versa to access services. 

Members requested a report be brought to a future meeting providing examples and case studies regarding use of the Youth Service and suggested that Members of the Youth Parliament be invited.

            RESOLVED: That

1)     the presentation be noted;

2)     a report be brought to a future meeting providing examples and case studies on use of the Youth Service; and

3)     members of the Youth Parliament be invited to a future meeting.

(NB: Councillor Fry declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the following item due to being the Chair of HAFS and took no part in the discussion).

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Children and Young People which outlined the updated Halton Multi Agency Transition Strategy for Young People Aged 14 – 25 for the years 2010 to 2013.

            It was noted that the Strategic Transition Group which oversaw the Transition Strategy had worked to expand the Strategy from 14 – 19 to 14 – 25 and refresh the existing Strategy to ensure that it was focused and purposeful.

            It was reported that the Strategic Transition Group had representatives from Halton Adults Social Care, Halton and Children and Young People’s Directorate, NHS Halton and St. Helens, Riverside College, Transport Services, Halton Commissioning and Greater Merseyside Connexions Partnership.

            It was reported that the Strategy set out the domains in the transition from Children’s to Adult Services, what work was currently being carried out and how the Council could improve. It was envisaged that this format would be more attractive to parents and carers of young people who needed access to transition services.

            RESOLVED: That

            (1)       the report be noted; and

            (2)       comments made be noted.

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Children and Young People which provided the updated Halton Multi-Agency Transition Strategy for Young People aged 14 – 25 for the years 2010 to 2013.

            It was noted that the Strategic Transition Group which oversaw the Transition Strategy had worked to expand the Strategy from 14 to 19 to 14 to 25 and to refresh the existing Strategy to ensure that it was focused and purposeful.

            It was reported that the Strategic Transition Group had representatives from Halton Adults Social Care, Halton Children and Young People’s Directorate, NHS Halton and St. Helens, Riverside College, Transport Services, Halton Commissioning and Greater Merseyside Connexions Partnership.

            The Strategy set out the domains in the transition from Children’s to Adult Services, how the work was currently being carried out and ways the Council could improve. It was envisaged that this format would be more attractive to parents and carers of young people who needed access to the transition services.

            Members raised concerns regarding the extra pressure on parents once these children had left school. In response it was noted that this was being looked at carefully by two Policy and Performance Boards to ensure the transition could be carried out as smoothly as possible. The Board requested an update report be provided in 12 months time.

            RESOLVED: That

1)     the report be noted; and

2)     an updated report be provided in 12 months.

(NB: Councillor Fry declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the following item due to being the Chair of HAFS and took no part in the discussion. Councillor Gilligan declared a personal interest in the following item due to being a member of the Halton Citizens Advice Bureau.  Councillor Lower declared a personal interest in the following item due to being a Board Director of Halton Y.M.C.A. Councillor Dennett declared a personal interest in the following item due to being a Trustee of Halton Citizens Advice Bureau and Halton Play Council).

            The Board received a report of the Strategic Director, Children and Young People which provided an update on the contracts/commissioned services for Children and Young People from April 2011.

            It was noted that a report was presented to the Board on 6^th January 2011 outlining the processes undertaken within the Children and Young People’s Directorate to review contracted/commissioned services and identified the contracts that would need to be terminated from 31^st March 2011. The report provided details of the status of the key contracts and identified those that had been decommissioned. Information was also provided which summarised the contract provision, the value of contract and the source of funding.

            Appended to the report was a table which illustrated current contract positions for contracts with a current termination date of 31^st March 2011. It was further noted that in December termination letters were sent out to all providers to ensure that they had appropriate notice.

            Members were advised that there were a range of contracts which were previously funded under Aiming High for Disabled Children Funding and each of these projects had received a termination notice. It was, however, intended that Commissioners would work to develop a whole service specification for Aiming Higher for Disabled Children that would be more cost-effective and better met the needs and be more affordable.

            Members were advised that discussions would also be held with colleagues in Health on a number of health services commissioned through the PCT such as Speech and Language, Breastfeeding Buddies and the Teenage Midwifery Service.

            RESOLVED: That the report detailing which contracts had been de-commissioned and the measures taken to mitigate the impact be noted.

            The Board received a report of the Strategic Director, Children and Young People which provided an update on the contracts/commissioned services for Children and Young People from April 2011.

            It was noted that a report was presented to the Board on 6^th January 2011 outlining the processes undertaken within Children and Young People’s Directorate to review contracted/commissioned services and identified the contracts that would need to be terminated from 31^st March 2011. The report provided details on the status of the key contracts and identified those that had been de-commissioned. Information was also provided which summarised the contract provision, the value of contract and the source of funding.

            Appended to the report was a table which illustrated the current contract positions for contracts with a current termination date of 31^st March 2011. It was further noted that in December termination letters were sent out to all providers to ensure that they had appropriate notice.

            Members were advised that the contracts highlighted in red were previously funded under Aiming High for Disabled Children, and each of these projects had been sent a termination notice. It was, however, intended that Commissioners would work to develop a whole service specification for Aiming Higher for Disabled Children that would be more cost effective and would better suite their requirements.

            The Board discussed the likelihood of maintaining services once the cuts had been implemented and the necessity for looking at levels of need and using more holistic services.

            RESOLVED: That the report detailing which contracts had been de-commissioned and the measures taken to mitigate the impact be noted.

            The Board received a report of the Strategic Director, Children and Young People which provided Members with the opportunity to scrutinise Referral and Assessment activity and an update on issues impacting on current performance within the Children In Need (CiN) Service, following the report presented on 24^th May 2010. It was further noted that the report focused on Quarters 1 and 2 of 2010/11.

            The process for the Child in Need Referral and Assessment Performance was outlined to the Board.  Members were advised of the current performance in relation to the completion of Initial and Core Assessments within timescales which was detailed in the report for information. It was also reported that the 4 social worker vacancies mentioned in the report had since been filled.

            RESOLVED: That

1)     the contents of the report be noted;

2)     Halton Safeguarding Children Board continue to scrutinise and support the work of the Children’s Trust in relation to the development of Team around the family and the progress of the Team Around the Families (TAF) Action Plan;

3)     Halton Safeguarding Children Board supports the work of the Pan Cheshire group, in relation to the volume of Police (CAVAs), Children and Vulnerable Adults Notifications and establishing appropriate pathways; and

4)     an update report on year end data be presented to PPB in six months time.

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Children and Young People which detailed the conduct of and outcomes from Climbie Visits to front line Child in Need Teams. The report also reviewed the outcomes from the recommendations reported to PPB on 24^th May 2010.

            Members were advised that training on the role of Climbie Visitors and Levels of Needs took place on 11^th and 13^th October 2010. The sessions were well attended and well received, with a total of 12 members over the two sessions. As a result of this training 5 additional Members agreed to undertake the visits which would mean there would be a total of 8 Climbie Visitors. This meant that each Member would be needed for a maximum of twice per year. A request was made for members with current enhanced CRBs to provide evidence and forms were sent out to those who needed to complete new CRBs.

            It was further noted that Climbie visits were carried out quarterly and a report was then sent to the Operational Director for specialist Services and passed to the Divisional Manager, Children in Need to respond to any issues raised. Details of visits taken place since the last reports to PPB were outlined in the report for information in addition to the purpose of Climbie Visits.

            It was further reported that there had been increased scrutiny of the core business of Contact Referral and Assessment processes and this was reflected in the reports from Members undertaking Climbie Visits. Many of the issues had been addressed in the Children in Need Referral and Assessment Analysis and were set out in the report for information.

            RESOLVED: That

1)     the contents of the report be noted;

2)     Members who had completed the recent training and agreed to become Climbie Visitors were encouraged to complete and return CRB forms or provide evidence of current enhanced CRB held in their role as Councillors, so that a rota of visits could be established;

3)     following all Climbie Visits the report provided by Members and the responses made by relevant Managers should be reported to PBB and scrutinised twice a year; and

4)     the focus of Climbie Visits should give increased scrutiny to the core business of Contact, Referral and Assessment processes and performance data should routinely be discussed and understood.

            The Board received a report of the Chief Executive on the Performance Management Reports for Quarter 3 2010/11.

            Members were requested to consider and raise any questions or points of clarification in respect of the performance management report on progress against service plan objectives and performance targets, performance trends/ comparisons and factors affecting the services etc. for:

·        Children and Families;

·        Children’s Organisation Provision; and

·        Learning and Achievement.

Arising from discussion of the data Members discussed alternatives for Education Maintenance Allowance and the request for two more schools in Halton to convert to Academies. 

Gerald Meehan – Strategic Director Children and Young People, provided an update from the recent Ofsted Inspection.  There had been a high volume of activity in that 75 cases, 45 children, 19 parents and carers, 40 focus groups had been inspected, 5 visits to teams had been carried out, 20 individual interviews had been conducted and 10 meetings had taken place with inspectors.

Excellent feedback had been received from the Inspectors and the majority of services in the department had been rated as outstanding.  The results in detail would be published on the Ofsted website in the Middle of April.

The Board wished to formally thank all Officers involved in the inspection and congratulated the department on the excellent result.

RESOLVED: That the third quarter performance management reports be received and comments made be noted.

(NB: Councillor Loftus declared a personal interest in the following item due to being a member of the Governing Body of Palacefields Primary School).

            The Minutes from the Halton’s Children’s Trust Meeting held on 7^th December 2010 were presented to the Board for information.

            RESOLVED: That the Minutes be noted.

The Chairman, on behalf of all Board Members and Officers, thanked Alex Villiers – Divisional Manager Scrutiny, for his valuable contributions in the Authority over the years and for his involvement with the work of the Board and wished him well in his upcoming retirement.