Agenda and minutes

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests.

a)  To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 10^th April 2025

b)  Matters Arising

The Minutes of the meeting held on the 10th of April 2025 were agreed and signed as a true record.

There were no matters arising.

Briefing Note of the Director of Children and Education

The Board considered a Briefing Note and presentation of the senior leadership of the children and education service area, introducing the priorities for the Cabinet Members for the municipal year 2025- 26, as well as related service area priorities, so the Board can identify areas for further scrutiny to add to the work programme.

Officers presented their vision for the service area, a detailed overview of each department, the key priorities for 2025-26 and those of the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People and the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills – the presentation was attached at Appendix 1.

In considering the briefing note and presentation, the Board questioned officers, received responses, and discussed matters as summarised below:

·  Ways to reduce the burden on the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) – the development and implementation of the Effective Support document that promotes partnership working to reduce the demand on the service whilst improving conversion rates of first contact to referrals and ensure the right support is identified for families.

·  Coventry’s MASH performance in comparison to other local authorities.

·  The root causes of Special Guardianship Orders (SGOs).

·  The provision of secure accommodation in the West Midlands for care leavers in custody and young offenders and the future development of a secure care facility in the West Midlands.

·  The funding arrangements for the family group conferencing service.

·  Communication and data sharing arrangements for multi-agency working.

·  The Woodlands School Site planned opening in September 2026.

·  Coventry’s response to the national increase of home education and ensuring every child is properly educated.

·  Truancy and its effects on different demographics – utilising research to understand contexts and policy approaches.

·  Approaches to bulge classes throughout the education lifecycle – ensuring there is provision when there is a bulge and managing the over-provision in times of no bulge.

·  The Alternative Provision Academy replacing the Extended Learning Centre for excluded children.

The Cabinet Members further outlined their priorities following the update from the service area. The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Seaman, highlighted that with the introduction of the care reforms, there will be some significant changes to children’s services despite Coventry being well placed already. Additionally, the service will continue to expand and invest alongside building upon the work of MASH, the Kinship Strategy, and Lifelong Links to find better outcomes for children and their families.

Adding to these sentiments, the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, Councillor Sandhu, highlighted how education must add value through key areas of focus. Specifically, by focusing on sufficiency of school places, managing SEND and its budget, implementing a smart phone campaign in schools, and continuing the successful work of the Holiday and Activities Programme.

These priorities prompted further questions on the following matters from the Board:

·  Foster friendly employers and the national drive amongst local authorities to attract foster carers in their areas.

·  The success of the Kinship Strategy in working to prevent children from going into care.

·  The increasing difficulty of the SEND budget in schools.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

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

There were no items of public business.