Agenda

Members are requested to advise the Scrutiny Manager of any apologies for this meeting.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members of the Scrutiny Panel.

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meetings held on 15 January 2025 and 5 February 2025 (Budget).

The Panel to meet Councillor Leanne Feeley, Executive Member (Lifelong Learning and Culture) and Deborah Myers, Assistant Director of Education, to receive a report, in presentation format, which provides Scrutiny Panel Members with a position statement of Local Area SEND.

The presentation provides clarity on the following key areas:

·       EHCP data

·       Children currently awaiting an assessment for an EHCP

·       The reasons why it would be in the interest of a child to have an EHCP and in what cases it might not be necessary

·       Support available for children whilst they are waiting for an EHCP

·       The budget process and allocation for High Needs Block funding

·       An overview of SEND transport, including an explanation of SEND transport, what we have to provide within legislation and a current position in terms of what we offer.

The Panel to meet Councillor Teresa Smith, Executive Member (Children and Families), and Jill Colbert, Director of Children Services, to receive a report, in presentation format, providing key progress against the commissioner’s recommendations.

The presentation provides clarity on the following key areas:

·       Practice with Children and Families

·       Improvement Governance

·       Regulatory Activity

·       Recruitment 

The Panel to meet Councillor Teresa Smith, Executive Member (Children and Families), and Tracy Brennand, Assistant Director of People and Workforce Development, to receive a report providing an overview of workforce key metrics, including starters, turnover, vacancies, permanent FTE/headcount, agency cover and social work experience.

Recruitment and retention are identified as significant issues where focused work needs to be undertaken to improve workforce stability, which in turn will lead to consistency in service delivery for children and families.

To receive a report of the Chair of the Children’s Services Scrutiny Panel that sets out planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Panel’s future meetings and Forward Plan items that fall within the remit of the Scrutiny Panel.

To receive any updates from the Chair on the activity and future priorities for the Panel.

To note that the next meeting of the Children’s Services Scrutiny Panel will take place on Wednesday, 11 June 2025.

To consider any additional items the Chair is of the opinion shall be dealt with as a matter of urgency in accordance with Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.