Agenda item

Members asked the following questions on the Neath Port Talbot Flying Start Service Report Card 2016/17 as detailed in the circulated report.

·        Why was there an underspend and what happens to the underspend can it be spent on something else?

Officers explained that any underspend has to be sent back to the Welsh Government at the end of the financial year it cannot be used for other costs other than what has been specified in the grant.  The grant is very prescriptive in what it can be used for.  The underspend was in the staffing allocation which falls under the health authority as well, our aim is always to spend 100% of the grant allocation.

·        Is the Flying Start criteria still based on postcodes and will this continue in future ?

Officers explained that  Flying Start interventions are based on postcodes and there is no indication of change at the moment.  Other programmes have used different criteria and it is on the agenda for the Welsh Government in future.

·        Why did the Welsh Government use postcodes for designating Flying Start areas?

It was explained that the criteria was introduced by the Welsh Government and originally based on historical data.

·        Why is there no record of Compliments and Complaints?  Members felt that there a lot of information that can be derived from Complaints on how well a service is working and it was a priority to collect this data.

Officers explained that because the service is run through private providers they don’t record Compliments or Complaints but Officers are looking at this to try to develop a process of corporately recording this data.

·        It was queried why was the private sector used to provide this service and not schools?

Officers explained that there are different qualifications needed for childcare and Flying Start concentrates on preparing the child for school.  Also, very positive feedback is received from schools on how well Flying Start children adapt to school and there is a difference between children who have attended Flying Start and children who have not.  Officers also highlighted that by utilising private providers the Council is supporting local businesses and schools have not expressed an interest in taking on the additional work.  In Neath Port Talbot Flying Start also uses the voluntary sector to provide services.

·        How is the programme monitored because some schools have highlighted issues from children who have attended the Flying Start programme?

Officers explained that they had not received any negative feedback from schools, schools have been very positive of how prepared the children are for school who have taken part in the programme and that Head Teachers don’t have the capacity to take on any additional responsibilities.  If any Member is aware of issues please could they contact the Participation Co-ordinator.  The Head of Participation agreed to ask at his next meeting with LLAN.   Also, Flying Start has to achieve targets set by the Care and Social Services Inspectorate for Wales.  In addition, Flying Start also have its own guidance which providers have to meet.  Flying Start also measure children’s attainment to ensure that the programme has positive outcomes.  This is currently being developed further to track the child’s progress throughout school.  Schools are also sent questionnaires to establish if they are experiencing any issues.

Following Scrutiny, the report be noted.