Agenda item - 2021/2022 Families Children & Learning Performance Report

Report of the Executive Director Families Children & Learning

RESOLVED: That the Committee

(i)             Noted the current performance of the directorate.

(ii)            Noted the business and improvement plans for the year ahead.

12.1    The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director Families Children & Learning which offered a summary of the performance of the Families, Children and Learning (FCL) directorate and provided an overview of business and improvement plans for the year ahead.

12.2     Cllr Brown queried the justification for the amber RAG rating for the attainment gap under Objective 2 in Appendix 3, questioning if this should be red due to the pandemic’s impact in widening the gap. The Assistant Director Education & Skills confirmed the pandemic has had a significant impact for disadvantaged outcomes nationally, however, the performance rating accounts for the fact that a strategy has been accepted by the Committee and implemented.

12.3    Cllr O’Quinn wanted clarity on the red RAG rating for youth services under Objective 3 in Appendix 3. The Assistant Director Education & Skills advised this rating reflects that a youth hub has not yet been established, however, the team are currently awaiting notification from the government in relation to opening the round of bidding for the Youth Investment Fund to progress this.

12.4     Cllr Hamilton asked if there is a significant delay for EHCPs and if so, what is being done to reduce the waiting time. The Assistant Director Health, SEN & Disability Services confirmed there has been a 33% increase in EHCP applications in Brighton and Hove and staff shortages of caseworkers and management. Resultantly, a redesign has been undertaken, extra finances have been allocated to improve capacity and additional officers and the necessary management structure have been identified to manage the volume of EHCPs received.

12.5     Cllr McNair questioned why the number of children being educated at home remains high and if this is an area of concern. The Assistant Director Education & Skills advised there has been a rise nationally which is being monitored, however, they would be happy to present a report in a future meeting to outline figures and provide an update on the work that has been done locally, regionally, and nationally. In Brighton and Hove, families who educate at home are closely monitored and visited by the relevant team.

12.6     Ms Boyd queried why the RAG rating for several points relating to learning difficulties under Objectives 2 and 3 in Appendix 3 were amber. The Assistant Director Health, SEN & Disability Services advised many of the points are interlinked and require additional work with the relevant commissioning team. In relation to the points on independence and resilience, work is being done to develop direct payments and to ensure there is an increase in the number of payments to service users and their families.

12.7    RESOLVED: That the Committee

(i)             Noted the current performance of the directorate.

(ii)            Noted the business and improvement plans for the year ahead.