Agenda and minutes

To approve the record of the meeting held on 31 May 2012.

The record of the meeting held on 31 May 2012 was agreed and signed by the Chairman as correct. 

To receive apologies for absence. 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Irvine and Purdy and from Alex Tear, Jim Grogan and Lauraine McManus. 

The Chairman will announce any late items which do not appear on the main agenda but which he/she has agreed should be considered by reason of special circumstances to be specified in the report. 

There were none. 

The Chairman reminded the Committee that this would be the last meeting attended by Rose Collinson as Director of Children and Adults.

The Chairman, supported by Councillors Price, Smith and Cooper expressed their appreciation to Rose and referred to her dedication and years of hard work in ensuring the delivery of services for young people and families in Medway. The Committee expressed its best wishes to Rose for her future and the Chairman presented Rose with a card on behalf of the Committee.

The Chairman informed the Committee that another parent governor representative was due to be appointed to serve on the Committee at the next meeting of Council on 26 July 2012.

A member need only disclose at any meeting the existence of a disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI) in a matter to be considered at that meeting if that DPI has not been entered on the disclosable pecuniary interests register maintained by the Monitoring Officer.

A member disclosing a DPI at a meeting must thereafter notify the Monitoring Officer in writing of that interest within 28 days from the date of disclosure at the meeting.

A member may not participate in a discussion of or vote on any matter in which he or she has a DPI (both those already registered and those disclosed at the meeting) and must withdraw from the room during such discussion/vote.

Members may chose to voluntarily disclose a DPI at a meeting even if it is registered on the council’s register of disclosable pecuniary interests but there is no legal requirement to do so.

The Chairman advised the Committee that under the new regulations relating to the declaration of disclosable pecuniary interests, it was no longer necessary for members to declare interests if they were school governors.

Councillor Etheridge sought clarification as to whether she was required to declare that she is a non paid Governor of the Medway Maritime Hospital and it was confirmed that it was not necessary for this to be declared.

Councillor Cooper declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in any matter to do with the NHS as her stepdaughter works at the NHS.  

The draft policy which sets out how Medway fulfills its statutory duties in supporting the transport arrangements for children and young people with special educational needs (SEN), is currently out to consultation. The consultation with parents and carers finishes on 27 July 2012. This report gives a summary of the responses to date and includes views from professionals and parents.

Discussion:

The Assistant Director – Inclusion and School Improvement presented a report on the draft Special Eductional Needs (SEN) Transport Policy.

The draft policy which set out how Medway fulfils its statutory duties in supporting transport arrangements for children and young people with special educational needs was currently out for consultation with parents and carers and the consultation period was due to end on 27 July 2012.

The report set out a summary of responses received to date and included views of both professionals and parents. It was intended that an implementation plan would now be drawn up to enable Medway to manage the transition from one policy and practice to another and to ensure ongoing communication with stakeholders.

The draft policy aimed to support independence for young people at an early stage and therefore aimed to maximise ways of developing independence where possible.

A copy of the proposed draft policy was appended to the report and full details of the key changes were summarised within the report along with a summary of feedback received to date.

It was recognised that many of the concerns expressed demonstrated a misunderstanding of the wording and the legal framework outlined within the proposed policy and therefore work had been undertaken to make the policy more user friendly. In addition, a set of ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ with easy to understand answers was in the process of being drawn up and this would be available on line as soon as possible. This would be updated over time as new issues were raised.

It was also stressed that where a decision was made that a child would not be eligible for travel assistance, where a change in transport arrangements was made or where transport had not been agreed on exceptional grounds, parents/carers would have a right of appeal and full details of the proposed appeal process was set out within the report.

The Chairman advised the Committee that the Chairman of the Medway Parent and Carers Forum had been unable to attend the meeting but had advised that the Forum had produced a report on transport issues arising from a number of workshops and a copy of this would be sent to the Assistant Director when available.

It was noted that the draft SEN Transport Policy would be referred to Cabinet for consideration on 4 September 2012 and, subject to approval and taking into account the need for a transitional period, it was intended that the new policy would take effect from January 2013.

Copies of the policy would be available on-line and in hard copy from the Council and via voluntary organisations and the Citizens Advice Bureau.

The Committee discussed the following issues:

• Concerns that the Frequently Asked Questions document was not yet available and that ideally such information should be available during the consultation period.
• Ensuring that the Frequently Asked Questions document is available in printed form so as to assist parents that do not have access to the internet.
• Concern that the Diversity  ...  view the full minutes text for item 186.

This report updates the Committee on the work of the Medway Safeguarding Children Board (MSCB) and present the MSCB priorities for 2012-2013.

Discussion:

The Committee received a report and presentation from the Independent Chairman of the Medway Safeguarding Children Board (MSCB) on the work of the Board and identifying priorities for 2012/13.

It was noted that the report had yet to be presented to the Board and therefore if any significant changes were made, they would need to be reported back to a future meeting of this Committee.

The Committee was advised of the background to the role of Local Safeguarding Children Boards and advised that the 3 key aims of the Board in 2011/12 were:

1)     To ensure the effectiveness of the work of local partners to safeguard and promote the welfare of children;

2)     To ensure the effective co-ordination of local work to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people;

3)     Promote the wellbeing of vulnerable groups of children.

Details were submitted as to how the MSCB had achieved the above three aims and a number of specific areas or interest were highlighted.

The Committee was informed that for 2012/13, the Board’s objectives remained the same but that there would also be an emphasis on the following:

• Increased piloting of the quality assurance framework
• A focus on the implications for the system of the recent end to end review of Looked After Children.
• A review of the distance travelled impact of the Common Assessment Framework (CAF).
• A focus on understanding and communicating how the Board adds value and increasing the knowledge of the MSCB.
• Ensuring that children who are subjected to domestic abuse are identified, protected and supported.
• Reducing the incidence of children who are trafficked or sexually exploited.

Details were also reported as to how the Board and its partners aimed to co-ordinate responses to national policy changes resulting from the Munro Review of Child Protection published in May 2011.

In response to questions from Members, the Chairman of the MSCB also reported on the following:

• The MSCB would work closely with the Health and Wellbeing Board.
• Voluntary Organisations are represented on the MSCB and the Medway Council for Voluntary Service regularly attends.

• In respect of Housing providers, it was a recommendation that all Housing providers consider health and safety issues when re-housing families or when re-housing particular individuals near to families.
• Lessons to be learnt from the case review of a death in custody which will be reported back at a future meeting of this Committee.

Decision:

The committee thanked the Independent Chairman of the Medway Safeguarding Children Board for the report and presentation and requested that if any significant changes are made to the annual report by the Board when finalised, such changes be reported back to a future meeting of this Committee.

This report provides an overview of the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) process, which supports early intervention and prevents the need for higher levels of service.  The report also updates Members on its use across Medway to support vulnerable children and families. 

Discussion:

The Committee received a detailed report providing an overview of the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) process.

The Children and Adults Systems and Support Manager reported upon the use of the CAF process across Medway to support vulnerable children and families in particular referring to:-

-         CAF forms

-         CAF Quality Assurance Framework

-         Police Pilot

-         Health Pilot

-         Connexions

-         Step up/step down

-         Training

-         Support

Members of the Committee sought further information on the following:

• Whether the CAF forms could be available for completion online
• Whether there was any feedback from CAF training
• Whether School Governors could receive training on the CAF process.
• The effectiveness of CAFs and whether they are monitored.
• On-going training for smaller providers

In response, the Children and Adults Systems and Support Manager advised the following:

• Some CAF forms were completed on-line but there is not yet an on-line CAF system
• A CAF Champions Group meets quarterly and reviews any feedback on the CAF process including responses to training.
• Training for School Governors on the CAF process would be welcomed.
• OFSTED recognised that the CAF process is actively used within Medway and monitoring of CAFs does take place and will be increased if considered necessary.
• Training sessions are very flexible and are also run at weekends and during the evening to ensure maximum attendance. Those attending CAF training are reviewed quarterly and contacted if no CAFs are initiated so as to ensure that there are no problems.

The headteacher representative confirmed that the CAF system  operated very successfully in her school and was considered to be a valuable tool.

Decision:

a)         The Committee thanked the Children and Adults Systems and Support Manager for the comprehensive report on the CAF process.

b)         The Committee recommended that Officers provide:

- Training on the CAF process be arranged for all School Governors.

- A briefing session on the CAF process for this Committee immediately prior to a future meeting.

The annual report provides information on the number and type of social-care complaints, comments and compliments Medway Council have received during the period April 2011 to March 2012.

Discussion:

The Committee received its annual report setting out information on the number and type of social care complaints, comments and compliments Medway Council received during the period April 2011 to March 2012.

Referring to the Annual Report appended to the committee report, Members requested that in the explanation of terminology, reference also be included as to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. It was also noted that this annual report would be produced in an easy to read version with pictures where appropriate.

Decision:

The report was noted. 

This report sets out the Quarter 4 / Year End Council Plan performance management report.

Discussion:

The Director of Children and Adults introduced the report to the committee, highlighting areas where performance was on target and areas where further work and progress was needed.

The committee asked various questions, which included:

·        Whether the statements of those children with existing statements moving into Medway were reviewed.

·        Whether it was possible to identify any particular areas from which children with existing statements were moving from into Medway.

In response the Director for Children and Adults advised the following:

• Every statemented child has an annual review but at the point that the child moves into Medway, no review of the statement is undertaken with the placing authority, however, this was something that could be investigated. It was also stressed that it was possible for Medway to challenge a particular placement if Medway considered that it had the appropriate type of provision to meet the child’s need detailed on the individual statement.
• Children with existing statements moved into Medway from a wide range of places but there was a high level of movement to Medway from London and this could possibly be a reflection of the availability of affordable housing within Medway.

It was also noted that during the next quarter, the Government would be issuing revised indicators to reflect the Munro review into Children’s Social Care.

Decision:

a)         The Committee noted the report and asked that the Director of Public Health to co-ordinate a briefing note on the extent and range of voluntary and community sector liaison work to help reduce teenage conception.

b)         A further report be submitted on the new Government indicators into Children’s Social Care as and when these are received.

This report updates Members on new OfSTED arrangements and the impact it will have on Medway. The Director of Children and Adults will be providing a presentation at the meeting.

Discussion:

The Director of Children and Adults provided a presentation to the Committee on the new OfSTED arrangements and the impact that this will have upon Medway.

In summary, the revisions included changes to inspections of early years providers in September 2012, Social Care Inspections which would now focus on the effectiveness of the local authority’s child protection services and leadership of strategic partners and Schools and Learning Skills Providers aimed at supporting Headteachers and Principals in their work to provide the best possible education for pupils and learners.

Further changes were also planned for the inspection frameworks of Children’s Services from June 2013 including:

-         A joint inspection of multi-agency arrangements for the protection of children which is likely to focus on the journeys of children and young people through existing data, case tracking, practice observations and discussions about casework.

-         Taking account of the views and experiences of children, young people and their families to be a central feature of the new frameworks.

-         There will also be new inspection arrangements of children in care and care leavers, again with an important focus on their journey.

-         The role of the Children in Care Council will be an essential aspect of the arrangements as will direct observation of practice as well as the impact of commissioning activity on improved outcomes for children.

Decision:

The Committee noted the report.

This report sets out the proposed work programme for the Committee for 2012/13. 

Discussion:

The Democratic Services Officer introduced the report and highlighted to the committee the following additional item from the Forward Plan:-

·        Early Education for 2 year olds

It was noted that this report was scheduled to be reported to Cabinet on 4 September 2012 and it would not therefore be possible for this report to come to this Committee in advance of the Cabinet meeting.

In addition, attention was drawn to reference to the draft SEN Transport Policy in the appendix to the report and that the date upon which this report would be submitted to Cabinet required amendment to 4 September 2012.

A member requested that a report of Performance Management of Teachers be added to the work programme for the end of 2013.

Decision:

a)         That, subject to the changes made at the meeting, the work programme be agreed as set out on Appendix 1 of the report with the addition of a report of the Performance Management of Teachers for the end of 2013.

b)         That it be agreed that the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Opposition Spokespersons meet once more to agree how best the Committee can hold the Council, schools and agencies to account in relation to inspections, including Ofsteds.

c)         That the suggestions made at section 5 of the report be agreed and timetabled by the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Opposition Spokespersons when they meet in accordance with b) above.