Agenda item - Hidden Children

Report of the Executive Director for Families, Children & Learning. (Copy attached)

RESOLVED:

(1)          That the Hidden Children strategy attached as Appendix 1 to the report be approved;

(2)          That the activities being undertaken to develop this approach be noted;

(3)          That a report be brought to the committee in June 2019 on the progress made as detailed in the Hidden Children strategy action plan.

24.1    The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Families, Children & Learning. The report was introduced by the Head of School Organisation.

24.2    Councillor Penn requested assurance that the 400 children referred to in the report were receiving mental health support via the Clinical Commissioning Group.

24.3    The Head of School Organisation stated that BHCC currently ran process that provided access education to children who had been unable to attain this. It was further clarified that there was a criteria in place to assess need. An assurance was made that, where required, support was available.

24.4    Councillor Penn in reference to tier 3 stated that there was a long waiting list.

24.5    The Head of School Organisation recommended that the inclusion support service would be better placed to give a greater level of assurance to this concern.

24.6    Councillor Brown enquired of the figure pertaining to home schooling across the city.

24.7    The Head of School Organisation BHCC would conduct visits within the initial weeks and risk assess over 200 homes. It was stated that home education was on the rise of the last few years.

24.8    Ms Mortensen enquired how many of the 439 children had special education needs and disabilities, she further enquired how BHCC compared nationally.

24.9    The Head of School Organisation clarified that BHCC were collecting information with a view to developing a clear idea for future work. It was clarified that nationally BHCC were more forward thinking than other authorities.

24.10  Councillor Wealls requested an update which included SEN review as this was integral.

24.11  The Assistant Director Education & Skills noted that the SEN review was due in November.

24.12  Councillor O’Quinn expressed concern regarding the rise of home schooling.

24.13  The Head of School Organisation agreed there was a lot to be done on this.

24.14  The Executive Director Families, Children & Learning confirmed that the reason for the Children Strategy was to ensure there was a single consultation for schools.

24.15  Councillor Phillips enquired if anything like this had been attempted previously.

24.16  The Head of School Organisation clarified that this was the beginning of a process to highlight and develop answers to a problem.

24.17  Councillor Knight enquired how many children didn’t have mental health issues and were afflicted in other manners such as bullying which contributed to the development of mental health issues.

24.18  The Head of School Organisation stated that a range of statistics were being considered and developed however specific data had not yet been gathered.

24.19  Councillor Knight requested that this be gathered.

24.20  The Head of School Organisation gave an overview of the efforts currently undertaken in this regard and plans to address issues in future. It was further agreed that Councillor Knight’s request for data regarding mental health be attained in future.

24.21  RESOLVED – That the Committee:-

1.            Approve the Hidden Children strategy attached as Appendix 1

2.            That the committee note the activities being undertaken to develop this approach

3.                   That the committee receive a report in June 2019 on the progress made as detailed in the Hidden Children strategy action plan.