Agenda and minutes

Deputy Elizabeth Rogula called on Marianne Fredericks as the most senior Common Councillor to take the chair ahead of the election of a Chairman.

There were no apologies.

There were none.

To receive the Sub-Committee’s Terms of Reference as agreed by the Community & Children’s Service Committee on 30 April 2021.

The Terms of Reference of the Safeguarding Sub-Committee were received, noting that the composition should be amended to reflect that membership would be sought from the wider Court of Common Council as there was one vacancy on the sub-committee.

To elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 29.

Members elected a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 29.

RESOLVED, that – being the only Member willing to serve, Ruby Sayed be elected Chairman for the ensuing year.

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

Members elected a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 30.

RESOLVED, that – being the only Member willing to serve, Randall Anderson be elected Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the previous meeting held on 8 February 2021.

RESOLVED, that – the public minutes and non-public summary of the previous meeting held on 8 February 2021 be agreed as a correct record.

To note the sub-committee’s outstanding actions list.

Members received the sub-committee’s list of outstanding actions, noting that both actions had been completed.

The glossaries were read in conjunction with the various reports.

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

Members received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services in respect of the Missing from Home, Care and Education Strategy Review. Members were informed that the strategy is reviewed annually. In the past year, the vulnerable children list was added to the strategy during the first COVID lockdown, and the number of elected home-educated children had increased. There were no children from home who went missing and there were 7 Children in Care who had a period of mission (which was less than the previous year).

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

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

Members received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services in respect of the Short Breaks Strategy. At the height of the Covid crisis, the City was quick to adapt the strategy to allow parents to have more autonomy in how short break allocations were used.

In response to whether the City proactively offered short breaks to families, Members were informed that families had the option to initiate access to short breaks, and that families in early help programmes were offered short breaks based on needs assessments.

With respect to use of funds, in the past year, due to the pandemic, short breaks money had been used for electronics, books, toys and other outdoor equipment.

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

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

Members received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services in respect of the Corporate Safeguarding Policy and its annual update. There was one change to the policy to include modern slavery and self-neglect as a type of abuse, and the wording was taken from the Care Act 2014 Guidance. The policy would next be reviewed in June 2022.

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

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

Members received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services in respect of the revised and updated Quality Assurance Framework. Members were informed that the auditing process had changed in that auditing forms were outcome focused rather than procedure focused, and the auditing cycle was adjusted. Members were informed that an audit had recently been completed and initial findings were very positive in terms of outcomes and learning. An update on the findings will come back to Members.

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

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

Members received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services in respect of the Service Development Plan for Children’s Social Care and Early Help.

Members were informed that most Ofsted actions were completed, with one outstanding which had been impacted by the Target Operating Model (TOM). This action will hopefully be completed within the next month, subject to the TOM timeline.

In response to Members’ concerns regarding Covid transmission in schools, it was noted that in-school transmission was an ongoing concern. Covid numbers in City schools had been contained and testing in schools went well. There were discussions regarding vaccinating school-age children from age 12, but this had not been confirmed.

In response to Members’ concerns regarding mental health issues for young people, the City worked in partnership with Hackney to address mental health in schools. The East London NHS Trust had just launched a mental health in schools steering group which would develop a mental health in schools offer, and officers from the City are involved in this.

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

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

Members received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services in respect of the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) update. Strategy priorities were highlighted, including resuming school psychologist visits and assessing needs and progress of SEND children. The parent-carer forum had been reviewed and refreshed. With respect to the focus on transition to adulthood, a Task-and-Finish Group was established which included wide representation of colleagues across adult and children social care, education colleagues, Culture Mile, employment and apprentices to set up strands of work for SEND young people. The taskforce’s first meeting was scheduled for the following week.

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

There were no questions.

There was no other business.

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 I of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

To agree the non-public minutes of the previous meeting held on 8 February 2021.

RESOLVED, that – the non-public minutes of the previous meeting held on 8 February 2021 be agreed as a correct record.

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

Members received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

There were no questions.

There was no other business.