Agenda and minutes

It was proposed by Randall Anderson that Marianne Fredericks, as the most senior Common Councillor, take the chair.

There were no apologies.

There were no declarations.

Members are asked to note the Sub-Committee’s Terms of Reference.

The Sub-Committee’s Terms of Reference were noted.

To elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 29.

A Chairman was elected in accordance with Standing Order no. 29.

Ruby Sayed, being the only Member willing to serve, was therefore elected Chairman for 2019/20.

To elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 30.

A Deputy Chairman was elected in accordance with Standing Order no. 30.

Randall Anderson, being the only Member willing to serve, was elected Deputy Chairman for 2019/20.

To agree the minutes of the previous meeting held on 8 February 2019.

The public minutes of the previous meeting held 8 February 2019 were agreed as a correct record, subject to two amendments.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services relative to an update on the Virtual School for Looked After Children.

Members were pleased to see that the newly arrived young people were enjoying the tuition group, and that the partnership with City of London Schools (CLS) was off to a good start. Members asked how the impact of this tuition group and enrichment programme on the young people would be measured?

The Director noted that it was difficult to measure quality. In terms of quantity, attendance is high and the feedback from the school has been positive.

Noting the need for £10,000 to run this programme again next year, Members asked if the tuition group would be required if the National Transfer Scheme (NTS) issues are addressed by then. Furthermore, if there continued to be high number of Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) coming into care, what would be the financial, education and care consequences of not running the programme again?

The Director noted that the programme was expensive, but still less expensive than individual home tuition. The Director would produce a business case for funding to continue the programme.

RESOLVED – that, the report be received and its content noted.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services relative to the Quality Assurance (QA) Framework designed to support the continued journey of improvement for children and young people’s services in the City of London.

Members asked what evidence, if any, was emerging about whether the improvements intended by this new QA Framework are being achieved. Specifically, what had been the impact of this new approach on staff and the quality of services provided to children and families?

The Director reported that as the framework was newly introduced and some aspects had changed, the framework was still in an adjustment period. A follow-up report would be presented to the Sub-Committee in the autumn following an audit to assess the impact.

RESOLVED – that, the report be received and its contents noted.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services relative to the progress of the Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) work in the City of London.

Members asked for information regarding what the data tells us about the educational outcomes for our SEND children.

The Director reported that an annual review was underway. Once the results were received, a report would be presented to the Sub-Committee to advise on outcomes.

Members asked for information regarding the profile of our SEND population. 

The Director reported that in 2015, there were 8 young people; in 2018, there were 14 young people. As of April 2019, there were 15 young people, however not all the same young people as the previous year, as some have left and new young people have joined the programme. An outcomes report would be presented to the Sub-Committee in the future informing of educational outcomes.

RESOLVED – that, the report be received and its contents noted.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services relative to the progress being made within the Department of Community & Children’s services in relation to Modern Day Slavery (MDS).

Members asked what intelligence the Modern-Day Slavery Operational Group had regarding the number and type of MDS occurrences or risks thereof in the City and/or within our supply chains.

The Director reported that the MDS Operational Group works with the various other departments and groups, such as the Department of Community & Children’s Services, procurement, the police, housing and homelessness teams to support victims of MDS. 5 trafficking victims had been identified since October. The group was raising awareness of MDS and conducting training sessions on what forms MDS can take.

RESOLVED – that, the report be received and its contents noted.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services relative to the Early Help offerings.

Members asked what was the status on the number of stakeholders committed to the Reducing Parental Conflict workshop, and if there was a risk that the City would lose the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) funding to run the programme. 

The Director reported that, in relation to reducing parental conflict, the aim is to create a safe environment for children. Early Help offers support for the entire family, not only individual children. Parental support includes therapeutic help, budgeting assistance, assisting parents in accessing financial benefits and respite assistance. Early Help has contacted 25 stakeholders to respond to the DWP survey, with a view to running a leadership workshop as part of the next Early Help Subgroup. The practitioner training is being jointly run with the London Borough of Hackney. There is not a risk that the City will lose the funding.

Members noted that it was positive that parents’ views were being sought on the proposed changes to the assessment framework, and asked what the timescale is for completing the consultation and implementing the new Early Help Assessment.

The Director reported that a new and simplified assessment form would be launched in the summer. The assessment has received positive multi-agency feedback from work with both agencies and families.

RESOLVED – that, the report be received and its contents noted.

There were no questions.

There was one item of other business relative to the national Sure Start Programme. Officers confirmed that as a result of the Children Centre Services Review, that has been part of the Children and Young People Maternity Workstream of the Integration work with Health, Children Centre Services will be commissioned and delivered via an area-based model across the City, thereby moving from a centre-based approach.

MOTION - That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

RESOLVED - That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

To agree the non-public minutes of the previous meeting held on 8 February 2019.

The non-public minutes of the previous meeting held 8 February 2019 were agreed as a correct record.

Appendix to be read in conjunction with Agenda Item 7: Virtual School for Looked After Children Update

Members received the non-public appendix, which was read in conjunction with the report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services at Agenda Item 7.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members received the report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services relative to new partnerships in safeguarding arrangements which will come into effect from September 2019.

RESOLVED – that, the report be received and its contents noted.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services relative to the Children’s Safeguarding Report for Quarter 3 (Q3) 2018/19.

RESOLVED – that, the report be received and its contents noted.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services relative to the Adult Safeguarding Performance Report for Quarter 3 (Q3) 2018/19.

RESOLVED – that, the report be received an its contents noted.

There were no questions.

There was no other business.