Minutes:
The
Committee scrutinised the following matters:
Cabinet
Board Proposals
5.1 Children and Young People Services End of Year (2015-16)
Performance Report Quarter 4
The Committee received the Children and Young People Services
end of year (2016-16) performance report, which advised Members of the
performance management information, monthly Key Priority Indicator information
and Complaints Data, as detailed within the circulated report.
Members asked how quickly cases were stepped down and
stepped up between Children and Young People Services and Team Around the Family (TAF). Officers explained that each case
was considered on an individual basis and cases would be stepped down in a
timely and safe way and where the risks had reduced sufficiently. The Service
wanted to ensure that cases did not get stepped down and back up continuously
and new processes had been put in place, that when a case was stepped back up
Children’s Service would keep it for at least three months until it had
stabilised.
Members asked if moving TAF into Neath Civic Centre with
other Children’s Services teams had been positive. Members were informed that
the Senior Management had received some representation from some members of TAF
raising some concerns. They had met with the team to address these concerns and
to ensure that any anxieties they had could be discussed in an open way. An
action plan had been developed following these discussions. There had been some
anxiety regarding safeguarding issues with some cases and they had all been
looked at by the Principal Officer who had confirmed that there were no child
protection concerns in any of them. It was noted that the team manager had been
an agency worker who had offered significant experience. The team manager post
was currently being advertised and there would be a handover period.
Members noted that the percentage of personal
education plans within 20 school days was improving and asked what the reason
for this. It was highlighted that work had been undertaken in this area,
however, it was a statutory requirement and further improvement was required.
Following scrutiny, it was agreed that the report
be noted.
5.2 Quarterly Performance Management Data 2015-16 – Quarter 4 Performance
The Committee received the quarter 4 performance monitoring
data, complaints and compliments for Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning
Directorate, as detailed within the circulated report.
Members were informed that the report provided education
results and assessments at Key Stage 2, 3 and 4. It also included data relating
to attendance, exclusions, the statutory assessment process, the Youth Service
and Childcare. It was highlighted that it was a good news story at Key Stage 4
with an increase in the percentage of pupils reaching the level 2 threshold
indicator and was above the Welsh average. In the Average Wider Points and
Capped Points Neath Port Talbot were placed second and third in Wales
respectively. It was highlighted that these were good results especially
considering the levels of deprivation in the area.
It was noted that at Key Stage 3 the Core Subject Indicator
had improved but Neath Port Talbot were still ranked 22nd in Wales.
At Key Stage 2 the performance in Core Subject Indicator had dropped slightly
and Neath Port Talbot were also ranked 22nd for this indicator. It
was noted that these indicators were based on teacher assessment.
Members highlighted that a question had been
referred from Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee on 29th June
2016, asking what was being done to address the issues of standardisation and
moderation of teacher assessment across Education through Regional Working
(ERW) consortium and the rest of Wales. The current ranking did not appear to
be an accurate reflection of where Neath Port Talbot should be considering the
performance at Key Stage 4. Officers explained that there was a large amount of
work being undertaken on standardisation and moderation. Neath Port Talbot
could not influence other Local Authorities but a national programme had been
put in place to ensure that teacher assessment was accurate across the four
education consortia in Wales. In addition, Estyn
would hold Local Authorities to account. It was explained that in Neath Port
Talbot teacher assessment had been looked at in depth and there was a
consistent approach to support. Schools had also completed a questionnaire
about what they thought of the process and most of the feedback had been
positive. It was agreed that the report on this information would be shared
with the Committee.
It was highlighted that cluster working within schools in
the area was strong and there was good information sharing. Members asked that
if the cluster process was working well, when this would be reflected in the
results at Key Stage 3. Officers explained that each year there was a different
cohort of children with different needs and abilities that would impact on the
results. It was noted that there had to be confidence that the assessments in
schools were correct.
Members highlighted that teacher assessment should show
progression throughout a pupils school career to ensure that areas of concern
were addressed. Assessment at secondary school level should identify
inaccuracies at primary school level. Officers agreed that this would be the
case and children who had not achieved as expected the reasons why would be
examined with the school. Pupils would be set targets and interventions would
be put in place to improve areas that required it.
Officers explained that at Key Stage 2, where there had
been near misses for core subject indicators, a further analysis had been
undertaken to establish the reasons behind it and to hold the schools to
account. The Committee noted that there had been a lot of work undertaken in addressing
earlier identification of Additional Learning Needs and where necessary pupils
receiving statements of educational need. It was noted that Neath Port Talbot
was joint first in Wales for the percentage of final statements of special
education need issued within 26 weeks excluding exceptions with 100%
performance. It was noted that with exceptions performance was not as good and
officers explained that this was mainly due to waiting for information from
other agencies or parents not attending meetings.
It was highlighted that there had been a reduction in the
number of complaints received by the Service. Any lessons learned from
complaints were included in training. Members requested information on the
Ombudsman case that had been upheld and it was agreed that it would be
circulated to the Committee outside of the meeting.
Following scrutiny, it was agreed that the report be noted.
5.3 Families First Progress and Budget Report 2015-2016
The Committee received the progress report of the Families
First Programme and budget for 2015-16, as detailed within the circulated
report.
Members were informed that Families First was a Welsh
Government funded programme that promoted the development of effective
multi-agency systems and support, with a clear emphasis on prevention and early
intervention for families, particularly those living in poverty. The Programme
assisted with reducing the numbers of families developing more complex needs
and requiring intensive and costly interventions. It was a five year programme
that commenced in 2012 and would end this financial year. Officers highlighted
that there had been a13% reduction in funding from Welsh Government for
2015/16, which had been met by the Council. There would be ongoing monitoring
and evaluation of the projects to ensure that the needs of vulnerable families
were met and positive outcomes could be evidenced at an early stage of
intervention.
Members highlighted that the number of referrals to TAF
continued to grow and enquired what the size of the team was. Officers informed
them that there were between 15 and 20 workers within the team and the
workforce was pretty static at the moment. Members queried how many cases were
held per worker in the team. It was explained that caseloads were around 14 per
worker. It was noted that performance management of the team would be reported
through Children and Young People Services. It was highlighted that there would
be a monitoring report at a future meeting identifying what difference TAF had
made.
Members noted that due to problems in Action for
Children recruiting clinical psychologists, the Graded Approach to Support and
Counselling Service was not delivered during 2015-16. It was asked would the
funding for this Service be rolled over to the following year or did it have to
be paid back to Welsh Government. Officers explained that the funding had been
used for other services when it became apparent that this service could not be
delivered. Members asked if there was a need for the clinical psychologist
post. Officers explained that they had exhausted all options for recruiting
this post, as it was a part time and fixed term contract and they were
considering other options to deliver this service.
Members noted that some services had underperformed
and officers explained that it was the first year of these services and it took
some time to embed and it would also be dependent on referral numbers. Some
lessons had been learned and there had been a lot of monitoring work
undertaken. It was highlighted that the contracts specifications were payment
by result and more resources had been put into those that were over performing.
Members highlighted that there was likely to be an overlap
between services, because if a family was eligible for one service then it was
likely that they would also be eligible for others. It was asked how
duplication was prevented. It was noted that there were good relationships
between TAF and service providers, which assisted with identifying which
service would be best suited to the needs of a family.
Members commented that there was a high level of
demand for counselling services, however, only 47%
reported an improvement in their emotional health and well-being. It was asked
if this was a low result. Officers highlighted that this information would be
included in the monitoring report that was being brought to a future meeting.
It was noted that the Thriving Families project had
delivered to capacity and there had been an increase by 56 during the year.
Members asked what the total number of the families the Service worked with and
it was confirmed that it was 153. Members queried if part of the project could
have been funded through the Regional Development Plan. Officers explained that
it would be up to the organisation delivering the service to apply for the
funding.
Following scrutiny, it was agreed that the report
be noted.
5.4 Flying Start Progress and Budget Report 2015-2016
The Committee received the progress report on the Flying
Start Programme and budget, as detailed within the circulated report.
Members were informed that the Flying Start Programme was
funded via a Welsh Government grant and was being delivered to up to four year
olds living within Flying Start postcodes. It was highlighted that the
Programme had a big impact and delivered quality childcare, elements of
outreach and health visitor services. It was noted that there were 34 childcare
settings and attendance rates were around 87%. There were also one to one
sessions within homes available where necessary. It was noted that the
Programme had exceeded capacity in Neath Port Talbot and had been operating
within the allowed 10% over target number. The teams and budget were coping
within the current scope, however, the programme was
not allowed to expand further according to the Welsh Government.
It was highlighted that there had been some delivery
problems within the Upper Afan Valley and the Service
had worked in partnership to resolve these issues. Cases studies had been included
for Members information to demonstrate the quality side of the work that was
undertaken.
Members commented that it was a good service that was
needed in the area. It was asked if the Service was under pressure to
accommodate more families. Officers explained that they were always under
pressure and had informed the Welsh Government of this. Members noted that it
was unfortunate that the Programme was not more widely available. Members asked
if there was any possibility of the Service linking up with the voluntary
sector so parents that were not eligible for the Flying Start Programme could
still access the courses for parents. Officers explained that if there was
capacity within a course then it would be opened up to others that were
interested. It was highlighted that those that completed the courses were often
eager to continue with other courses.
Members asked if children who had received Flying Start
services could be tracked through the school system to establish the long term
outcomes. Officers explained that the data was there and they were considering
ways that it could be collated and analysed. However, anecdotal evidence
indicated that there were long term positive outcomes.
Following scrutiny, it was agreed that the report be noted.
5.5 Pupil Attendance
The Committee received information and data in relation to
Neath Port Talbot pupil attendance, as detailed within the circulated report.
Members had previously received reports outlining
procedures the Council and schools followed in order to increase pupil
attendance. There continued to be an emphasis on this priority and it was
highlighted that governors should continue to challenge attendance figures in
their schools.
It was noted that there had been a slight decrease in
performance both in primary and secondary schools compared with the same period
last year. Officers provided an update that since the report had been written
there had been a slight increase in secondary school attendance and a further
slight decrease in primary school attendance. It was explained that the main
reason for this was the level of illness in March. Members noted that there had
been more of a decrease in attendance in some schools compared with others and
it was asked was this due to illnesses circulating schools. Officers confirmed
that the significant issues had been illness and if a pupil comes into school
unwell it will often be caught by other pupils.
Members asked if there was less capacity within the
Education Welfare Team. Officers confirmed that this was the case as there had
been some long term sickness and maternity leave within the team, which has had
an impact on the service. Members asked if the sickness absence was being
covered and officers explained that it was not at the moment and the team had
worked hard to cover the absences. It was noted that it was planned to reshape
the Service to ensure that it was focussed on pupil attendance.
Members noted that attendance was an Estyn
category and could have a disproportionate impact on the judgement of a school.
Officers highlighted that the inspection framework would have to be modified to
amend this and Estyn were aware of this issue.
Following scrutiny, it was agreed that the report be noted.
5.6 Integrated Family Support Service (Western Bay)
The Committee received the report that sought approval to
enter into a collaborative arrangement with the City and Council of Swansea and
Bridgend County Borough Council in relation to the finance and governance arrangements
for the Western Bay Integrated Family Support Services, as detailed within the
circulated report.
Members were informed that the collaborative
arrangement for Integrated Family Support Services had been operational since
April 2013 and this report was regarding the governance and financial aspects
of the arrangements.
Following scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of
the proposal to be considered by the Cabinet Board.