Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director of People

Further to Minute 41/14, the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People considered a report of the Executive Director of People which detailed progress to date to address actions identified in order for the current status of Ofsted outcomes for Children’s Centres in Coventry to progress to “Good” or “Outstanding” in future inspections.

The Cabinet Member had requested that officers commission the undertaking of mock inspections/assessments of Ofsted readiness across Children’s Centres. Indigo Children’s Services carried out reviews of Children’s Centre clusters across the City during May to July 2015 and the inspection reports were appended to the report. The report identified the following areas of strength that had been highlighted in the inspections:-

  ?Acting Early Programme 0-5 years

  ?Effective joint working between Children’s Centres, social care,

 children and family first teams and health services

?Raise, share and review tracking and monitoring process

?Effective support and challenge to Early Years providers regarding

 Quality

?Quality of service

?Family support work

The following areas were identified as areas for development:-

  ?Access to services by young children and families

  ?Quality and impact of practice and services

  ?Effectiveness of leadership, governance and management

The report also detailed progress to date to address these areas for development, particularly in relation to performance management data, performance management cycle and the take up of Early Education and Early Learning places for children 2,3 and 4 years. The report indicated that actions have been prioritised and the focus of work has been identified as part of the Children’s Centre Improvement Plan and is detailed below:-

  ?Review and update Partnership Advisory Board Member training

 Programme

?Implement revised Local Authority Performance Management cycle for Children’s Centres

?Review and redefine quality assurance processes for early childhood services including those delivered by partners

?Review and refocus work to track long term outcomes for children and their families who have accessed children’s centre services

?Develop an economic well-being strategy with a robust implementation plan that outlines how services will be delivered to meet the needs of parents with a primary aim to secure parents employability and improve their access to education

?Further develop existing data set. Additional links to records for improvement with services will be available for Children’s Centres and will serve to provide a full profile of early childhood services accessed in each area.

The report also indicated that, at the request of the Cabinet Member, commitment from the Chief Executives of both University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire and the Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust was sought that their employees fully participate in and attend Ofsted inspections. This action was also extended to all other relevant partners including Job Centre Plus, Adult Education and other Local Authority Service Areas.

The Cabinet Member questioned officers on aspects of the report, particularly in relation to:-

  ?Data relating to registration and sustained contact rates, requesting

 that he be kept informed of these figures

?Provision of nursery hours for 2 year olds

?Working with Housing Associations to enable Children Centre staff to

 gain access to properties

  ?Providing apprenticeships in Children’s Centre Service Area

In addition, the Cabinet Member noted the impact that short term contracts has on the service and recognised the importance of recruiting and retaining staff in this area.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People:-

(1)  Notes the progress made against the recommendations since the last meeting of the Cabinet Member held on 7 April, 2015 and requests that officers continue to work to develop the Children’s Centre in order to move centres to “Good” or “Outstanding” at future inspections

  (2)  Requests officers to investigate the possibility of providing

 apprenticeships in Children’s Centre Service Area

  (3)  Requests further progress reports on a quarterly basis