Agenda item - Children's Services Annual Report 2015/16

Extract from the proceedings of the Children, Young People & Skills Committee meeting held on the 6 June 2016, together with a report of the Executive Director for Families, Children & Learning (copies attached).

22.1    Councillor Bewick introduced, and formally moved, the report for noting and thanked all the Members of the Children, Young People & Skills Committee for their contributions during the debate at the Committee. The number of schools rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ had increased under the Labour Administration, and none of the city schools were considered to be failing. Children’s Services accounted for approximately one third of the total budget of the organisation, and it was right that all Members be given an opportunity to scrutinise its work. Councillor Bewick explained that, as Chair of the Committee, he had agreed four key priorities, all of which were achievable; however, the service still faced significant challenges as children and young people were still being left behind and the number of child safeguarding referrals was increasing. There was a high uptake of nursery places across the city, but there was some pressure on the early years budget and the decision to close children’s centres had been very difficult. It was important that work continue to ensure the city remained a great place to bring up a child, and where education and opportunity was not determined by postcode.

 22.2   Councillor Brown stated that she agreed with the overarching goal of the Administration in relation to Children’s Services and she felt that closing the gap should be the priority for the city as this was still apparent despite the improvement in attainment. The high demand for mental health services was of concern and this work needed to be prioritised. There was little mention in the report of proposed youth and employability trust which had been started under the Conservative Administration. In relation to collaborative working it was highlighted that many headteachers did not feel sufficiently involved in the partnership model, and this needed to be addressed if the Council were to achieve better educational outcomes.

22.3    Councillor Wealls stated his view that there was poor linkage between the content of the report and the performance report that had been considered by the Policy, Resources & Growth Committee the previous week. He noted that the key performance indicators (KPIs) were set in consultation with Committee Chairs, but he was felt this still left a gap in the accountability thread for performance management. He went on to add that there was a large amount of very good work being undertaken in Children’s Services and he congratulated Councillor Bewick for his personal commitment to apprenticeships and the excellent work in this area. He highlighted that the target for NEETs had remained the same, and urged the Administration to ensure it was working from a consistent framework. He also congratulated the SEN needs review, which was excellent work that could be reflected better in the report.

22.4    Councillor Taylor noted that he welcomed the report as an opportunity to hold the administration to account, but he felt it presented an overoptimistic picture, though he highlighted he did not wish to detract from the good work taking place in the directorate. He highlighted that education was cumulative, and it was harder to close the gap further into a child’s education, because of this he welcomed to excellent up take of the early years scheme. Councillor Taylor advocated looking more in-depth at Ofsted reports; in particular he noted that no secondary schools in the city were rated as outstanding – though none were failing either. It was argued that the city should set its aims beyond ‘average’. Councillor Taylor also highlighted that the performance of primary schools needed greater attention, and noted that half of primary schools were average or below average on ‘value added’.

22.5    Councillor Mac Cafferty stated his views that the report masked the issue of cuts to children’s centres despite opposition from parents; as well cuts to youth services and families services which impacted some of the poorest people in the city.

22.6    Councillor Bewick responded to the debate and highlighted the improvements in Ofsted rating in the city; he noted that this improvement was due to the work of staff in schools and Officers at the Council. He noted that the Administration was committed to the Youth Employment Trust and this form the subject of a report to the Children, Young People & Skills Committee in the autumn. As well as listening and entering into dialogue with headteachers it was important that the Council listen to the 50,000 parents in the city, and he made reference to the recent creation of the alignment of inset days – which had started as a petition to Council.

22.7    RESOLVED – That Council note the report.