Agenda item

Report of the Strategic Director, Care, Wellbeing and Learning

The Committee received a report outlining the six-month update of performance and delivery for the period October 2017 to March 2018 in relation to the Council Plan 2015-2020 for the indicators and activity linked to children and young people.

It was highlighted from the report that the final year end assessment of performance relating to the Council Plan 2015-20 which has been superseded by the Council’s new strategic approach of making Gateshead a place where everyone thrives.

It was further noted that the corporate performance framework will need to be refreshed in light of the Thrive agenda and used to inform the six-month assessment of performance for 2018/19.

A summary of performance was provided to the Committee highlighting the following:

·         5 out of 9 updated indicators are showing an improvement under the ‘LiveWell Gateshead’ outcome, including an increase in the number of eligible two year olds accessing their free early learning place, an increase in the number of families engaged by the Troubled Families Gateshead programme and the number of referrals for young carers, a reduction in the Hospital admissions for self-harm rate (10-24 years) and an increase in the proportion of care leavers in suitable accommodation and education, training and employment.

·         10 out 14 updated indicators under the Prosperous Gateshead outcome have shown improvement, including an increase in the percentage of childrenoffered their preferred secondary school place and increases in the percentageof children achieving a good level of development at age 5, those achieving theexpected standard at Key Stage 1 in writing and maths and those achieving theexpected standard at the end of Key Stage 2. Progress 8 scores for pupils at theend of KS4 have increased and the gap between attainment 8 and progress 8scores of disadvantaged pupils/disadvantaged peers at KS4 have decreased.The progress 8 scores of vulnerable children with special educational needs haveincreased, and those 16-18 years who are NEET have reduced as have thepercentage of children in low income families.

Further summary was provided outlining the numbers of children subject to a child protection plan in addition to those leaving care with a safe and sustainable place to live.

The Committee were updated on the implementation of new Rapid Response and Child with Complex Needs teams within Children and Families Social Care. This included:

·         The recruitment of a Senior Practice Supervisor, a Practice Supervisor, 6 Complex Child in Need social workers, 2 Rapid response workers, a Family Group Conference Worker and 2 family Advocates.

·         The criteria and referral procedures have been written and shared with social workers in Referral & Assessment and Safeguarding Care Planning.

·         Briefing sessions with Looked after Children services, Early Help teams, Paediatrics, Platform, Local Authority Education services, Public Health, Young Peoples Service (CYPS) and Schools.

A comment was made that the report was good but that a further breakdown of the details within the appendix would have been appreciated. A further comment was made noting that where improvements have been highlighted in the report these are small which is disappointing.

Clarity was sought on the hospital admissions figures presented – it was asked whether the figures presented had been merged with Newcastle admission numbers, this information as not available for the Committee and will be brought back for the next meeting.

It was asked what work is being done to reduce the number of expectant mothers from smoking. It was said that this is a complex problem to tackle despite efforts from projects such as the Baby Clear programme. It was further noted that a case will be presented to the QE Hospital to encourage them to have an in-house stop smoking service. A comment that it should be a safeguarding issue if pregnant women smoke was made noting the duty of care midwives have and they should be empowered to act in such instances.

It was asked what the plans are for the work at Grove House. It was noted that a work plan is in place and is ongoing.

The closure of Thomas Hepburn was noted, the Committee were advised it was not a Council decision for the school to close and that the school admissions service are working hard to ensure all children affected are offered a school place elsewhere.

Of those leaving care it was noted that 71% are still supported by the Council up to the age of 25. It was asked what has happened to those who are not engaging with services. The Committee were advised that 100% of care leavers are contacted however those with more complex needs are difficult to keep in touch with, particularly up to the age of 25.

It was asked whether schools converting to academies was responsible for the small decline in attainment for the disadvantaged. The Committee were advised that this is a difficult question to answer. It was further noted that the DfE are more inclined to influence children down an academic route which is not appropriate for all and that this may have contributed to the decline.

RESOLVED:

(i)            The Committee noted and agreed the report and appendix.