Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Room 3 - Council House. View directions

Contact: Michelle Rose  Tel: 024 7683 3111 Email:  michelle.rose@coventry.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

9.

Declarations of Interests

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

10.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 65 KB

a)  To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 21st June, 2018

b)  Matters Arising

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting held on 21 June, 2018 were agreed and signed as a true record, subject to the inclusion of Councillors Seaman and Skipper in the list of attendees.

 

Further to Minute 3/18, the Scrutiny Board noted that information requested in relation to educational outcomes for Looked After Children was included in the Briefing Note relating to “The Virtual School for Looked After Children” (Minute 11 below refers).

11.

The Virtual School for Looked After Children pdf icon PDF 150 KB

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People)

Minutes:

Further to Minute 3/18, the Scrutiny Board considered a Briefing Note which provided information on the work of the Virtual School for Looked After Children (LAC).

 

The Briefing Note covered:-

 

  The reporting cycle and parameters

  Explanation of Attainment 8, including changes to GCSE grading,

  impact on Attainment 8 and an explanation of Progress 8

Outcomes for Coventry Children including average attainment 8

  outcomes and progress 8 score for Coventry Virtual School

Results for English and Maths

Action plans in place for young people who are not making adequate

  progress/achieving

Examples of schools who are good with LAC

LAC NEET numbers and what is being done to support NEETs

Support provided by Prospects Advisers to LAC/Care Leavers

Areas for further development

Mental Health

Training

Support Services

Supporting Attachment Projects

 

The Scrutiny Board questioned officers on aspects of the Briefing Note including:-

 

  The waiting time for LAC accessing mental health services

  Young carers accessing the same services as LAC

  Extending good practices across the City

 

The Scrutiny Board commended the officers on the quality of the Briefing Note and thanked them for the informative presentation.

 

RESOLVED that:-

 

1)  The contents of the Briefing Note be noted

 

2)  That officers be requested to provide all Members of the Scrutiny Board with a link to an appropriate website providing a glossary of educational terms and acronyms 

 

 

 

12.

Improvement Board - 4th July, 2018 Update Report pdf icon PDF 79 KB

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People)

Minutes:

The Scrutiny Board considered a Briefing Note of the Director of Children’s Services which detailed progress with the Children’s Services Improvement Plan reported to the Children’s Services Improvement Board on 4 July, 2018. The next Improvement Board will be held on 3 October, 2018.

 

 The Scrutiny Board questioned officers on aspects of the Briefing Note, particularly in relation to support that the Scrutiny Board can provide to assist officers in their difficult and demanding roles

 

The Cabinet Members for Children and Young People and Education and Skills, who were in attendance at the meeting, provided assurances to the Scrutiny Board in relation to political commitment and ownership and responsibility regarding the Improvement Plan.

 

RESOLVED that the Scrutiny Board:-

 

1)  Notes the progress to date

 

2)  Continues to receive regular updates from the Children’s Services Improvement Board, to include further process relating to the Children’s Services Improvement Plan

 

3)  Acknowledges the pressures and difficulties faced by the Director of Children’s Services and his staff on a daily basis and the need to ensure Children’s Services remains high on the political agenda

 

13.

Supported Internship pdf icon PDF 72 KB

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People)

Minutes:

The Scrutiny Board considered a Briefing Note of the Deputy Chief Executive (People) which outlined the requirement in the Children and Families Act 2014 to develop supported internships for young people with learning difficulties and or a disability (SEND) as part of an employment pathway. The Briefing Note indicated that it is a fact that the vast majority of young people with SEN are capable of achieving sustainable paid employment with the right preparation and support. In Coventry, young people described this an entitlement to an ordinary life which is encapsulated under the SEND strategy of “Raising the Cloud of Limitation”. 

 

Since September 2013, any institution that receives a funding allocation directly from the Education Funding Agency (EFA) has been able to deliver supported internships. This includes Further Education colleges, schools and independent specialist providers.

 

The Briefing Note provided a summary of progress to-date of the employer led supported internship delivered by University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) in partnership with Hereward College. An evaluation of the outcomes for 2017/18 to date, based on eight interns completing the programme evidences that:-

 

  Five young people have secured confirmed job offers

Two young people are being actively supported in securing

  employment

One young person has determined that they want to access the

  Princes’ Trust Programme

 

The Scrutiny Board received an inspirational presentation by Joey Mander who took part in the internship programme at UCWH and who had secured employment at the hospital.

 

The Scrutiny Board questioned officers and Joey on aspects of the Briefing Note and presentation including:-

 

  Using Joey as an ambassador for supported internships

  Other examples of supported internships in the City and across the

    country

  Replicating the success of UCHW

 

The Scrutiny Board noted that there are currently a limited number of supported internships available within the City.  Coventry’s post 16 providers are committed to rolling out an extended range of opportunities for young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan to secure employment as part of the FE offer.  Currently most programmes begin at the age of 19.  Special school FE providers have confirmed their commitment to developing a pathway to employment post 16 curriculum.  Whilst the Citywide strategy to secure supported internships is at an early stage of development, the need to secure a strong partnership infrastructure is now a priority.  The Council in partnership with schools now have to achieve the critical step of secure the full engagement of a wider range of employers across the City, to secure an appropriate job match for the range of skills and career aspirations of young people with SEND.

 

RESOLVED that the Scrutiny Board:-

 

1)  Record their sincere thanks for the excellent presentation received at the meeting

 

2)  Note the information presented and welcome the progress made to date and the direction of travel

 

3)  Request that the Cabinet Members for Education and Skills, Jobs and Regeneration and Strategic Finance and Resources investigate the introduction of a similar  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

14.

Co-option of Parent Representative to the Board pdf icon PDF 49 KB

Briefing Note of the Scrutiny Co-ordinator

Minutes:

The Scrutiny Board considered a Briefing Note regarding the co-option of a parent representative to the Board.

 

RESOLVED that Kellie Jones be recommended as a non-voting co-optee to the Scrutiny Board

15.

Work Programme pdf icon PDF 56 KB

Briefing Note of the Scrutiny Co-ordinator (attached)

Minutes:

The Scrutiny Board received the Work Programme for 2018/19, and noted that it would be updated.

16.

Serious Case Review pdf icon PDF 48 KB

Briefing Note of the Scrutiny Co-ordinator

Minutes:

The Scrutiny Board considered and noted a Briefing Note in relation to a Serious Case Review.

 

A corresponding private report detailing confidential matters was also submitted for consideration (Minute 18 below refers).

 

17.

Any Other Public Business - Resolution to Exclude Press and Public

Any other items of public business which the Chair decides to take as matters of urgency because of the special circumstances involved.

Minutes:

RESOLVED that approval be given to exclude the press and public under Section 100(A) 4 of the Local Government Act 1972 for the consideration of the private matter referred to in Minute 18  below relating to “Serious Case Review ” on the grounds that that item involves the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in Paragraph 1 of Schedule 12 A of that Act as it contains information relating to an individual.

 

18.

Serious Case Review

Briefing Note of the Scrutiny Co-ordinator

 

(Listing Officer: G Holmes, tel: 024 7683 1172)

Minutes:

Further to Minute 16 above, the Scrutiny Board were provided with information in relation to a Serious Case Review.

 

The Scrutiny Board questioned officers on aspects of the recommendations arising from the Review.

 

RESOLVED that the Scrutiny Board note the progress in implementing the recommendations arising from the Serious Case Review.

19.

Any Other Private Business

Any other items of private business which the Chair decides to take as matters of urgency because of the special circumstances involved.

 

Minutes:

There were no other items of urgent private business.