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 meeting held on 18 September 2024.

The Panel to meet Councillor Leanne Feeley, Executive Member (Lifelong Learning and Culture), and Deborah Myers, Assistant Director of Education, to receive a report providing a detailed update on progress against the 10 Written Statements of Action (WSoA) from the October 2021 CQC Ofsted inspection of the Local areas SEND provision. The report was submitted to the DfE in advance of the November 2024 Bi-Annual review which took place on 19 November 2024 and includes the following documents: refreshed delivery plan, self-evaluation, data report and the Deficit Management Plan / Delivering Better Value (DMP/DBV) report for Q2.

The Panel to meet Councillor Teresa Smith, Executive Member (Children and Families), and Alison Montgomery, Assistant Director Children’s, to receive a report providing an update on the Council’s response to the Commissioners recommendations.

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

The Panel to meet Councillor Teresa Smith, Executive Member (Children and Families), Alison Montgomery, Assistant Director Children’s, and Deborah Myers, Assistant Director of Education, to receive a report presenting the corporate performance report for the Council’s Children’s Services directorate and the accompanying scorecard for the thematic area of Education, Employment, and Skills, and providing a summary of notable observations from the latest data.

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, 15 January 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.