To receive apologies for absence from Members of the Committee

37.1    Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Joyce Barrow, Andy Boddington and Kevin Turley and from Sian Lines (Diocese of Hereford (CE)) and Carol Morgan (Diocese of Shrewsbury (RC))

37.2    Councillor Roger Evans substituted for Councillor Boddington

In the absence of Councillor Barrow, Councillor Mullock took the meeting

Members are reminded they must not participate in the discussion or vote on any matter in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

38.1    There were no interests declared

The minutes of the last meeting, held on 14 September 2016, are to follow.

39.1    The minutes of the meeting held on 14 September 2016 had been circulated.

39.2    RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Young Peoples Scrutiny Committee held on 14 September 2016 be accepted as a true record and signed by the Chairman

To receive any public questions or petitions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.  The deadline for this meeting is 5.00pm on Friday 9 December 2016

40.1    There were no public questions

To receive any questions of which Members of the Council have given notice.

Deadline for notification: 5.00pm on Friday 9 December 2016

41.1    The following question had been received from Councillor Nic Laurens

During the meeting of Young People's Scrutiny on March 23rd 2016, it was requested and noted (87.5 ii) that regular performance reports be bought to the committee. Can the committee confirm that a report will come to committee for the February 1st 2017 meeting? And can the committee define what they think is a "regular" report, given this update will be 11 months from the previous update.

As the member for Meole I have parents reporting that it is a complete lottery for referral  CAMHS, so any pupil of Meole School will be seen within a couple of weeks. However someone living within the same specific post code not attending Meole School can wait up to six months. Can the committee look into this and confirm if a two tier postcode lottery does exist within CAMHS. Whilst Meole School should be congratulated for their forward thinking, it seems grossly unfair on other children and parents.

And finally can the committee look into the possible scenario that associated organisations are now not referring to CAMHS because of the long waiting times?

Response

Shropshire CCG commissions the current CAMHS provision and will provide a report to the Committee for the meeting on 1st February 2017.

From a public health perspective, we understand that Meole Brace School has independently commissioned a Primary Mental Health Worker who provides early interventions and support to pupils attending the school. The school has not bought in CAMHS support but the pupils will have needs identified by the worker and be offered support.

This also means that when referrals are made it is likely to be the case that these young people meet the threshold for CAMHS, so it could be that the quality of the referrals are better/more appropriate, rather than the school actually receiving preferential provision.

This may raise other questions for the Committee including any actual discrepancies in waiting times across the county and I would suggest that these are directed to the service provider to answer.

I am not aware that organisations are no longer making referrals to the service due to waiting times but again suggest that the provider could be asked to provide a report or audit of activity for 2015/16 and 2016/17 to the Committee.

To receive an update from the Service Manager - Safeguarding & Review

42.1    The Chairman advised that this item had been deferred to the next meeting

Report to Follow

43.1    Members received the report of the Commissioner for Education Improvement and Efficiency which gave details of the educational performance of disadvantaged children, and confirmed the issues that influence pupils outcomes overall.

43.2    The Commissioner for Education Improvement and Efficiency advised the meeting that achievement was measured using two elements – attainment and progress.  He then outlined the performance at each of the key stages.

43.3    A Member asked whether there was enough commitment from Schools to reducing the gap.  The Commissioner for Education Improvement and Efficiency commented that schools were very committed to improving standards and performance.

43.4    In response to a query the Director of Children’s Services commented that because of demographics pupil premium had to go a lot further than in urban areas.  She added that there was reluctance for parents to claim free school meals which also had an effect, and that it may be worth reminding parents about their entitlements.  A member commented that some schools give an incentive for parents to sign up for free school meals.

43.4    The Chair thanked The Commissioner for Education Improvement and Efficiency for his report.

Report To Follow

44.1    Members received the report of the Director of Place & Enterprise which set out proposed Terms of Reference for a time limited Task and Finish Group looking at the local commissioning of youth activities.

44.2      Members expressed concerns that infrastructure support provided by SYA & Energize, Support for Special Needs Groups and different mechanisms for the delivery of youth activities would not be included in the scope of the review.  It was agreed that they could be added to the items for review.

44.3      RESOLVED:

That subject to the addition of the following to the list of topics to be covered:-

·      Infrastructure support provided by SYA & Energize

·      Support for Special Needs Groups

·      Different mechanisms for the delivery of youth activities

the terms of reference for the Local Commissioning of Youth Activities Task & Finish Group be approved

44.4    In response to a query the Committee Officer confirmed that he would be contacting all Members to get expressions of interest in membership of the group.

To receive a presentation on Teaching Schools in Shropshire

45.1    The meeting received a presentation from Alison Bell – Deputy Head Teacher Priory School, Ian Nurser - Director North Shropshire Teaching School Alliance and Michael Barratt - Director Salop Teaching School Alliance, (copy attached to the signed minutes), which set out the work of the Teaching School Alliances in Shropshire.

45.2    In response to a query Ms Bell confirmed that a lot of work was being carried out on “closing the gap” with best practise being shared with all schools.

45.3    The Chair thanked the speakers for attending the meeting.

The annual report of the Shropshire Safeguarding Children Board (SSCB) 2015-2016 is attached as Appendix A for your attention. The report will be presented by the Independent Chair of the SSCB; Sally Halls and covers the reporting period between April 2015 and March 2016

46.1    Sally Halls, Independent Chair of the Shropshire Safeguarding Children’s Board (SSCB) presented the Board’s Annual Report for 2015/16 (Copy attached to the signed minutes.)  She reminded Members that the priorities for the period were neglect, domestic abuse and child sexual exploitation and missing children and that these would remain the priorities for 2016/17.  She then outlined the work that the Board was doing on each of the priorities.

46.2    In response to a query the Independent Chair confirmed that the assurance report on private fostering referred to in paragraph 6.3 had been received.

46.3    A Member asked whether delays in the provision of CAMHS services were having an impact.  The Independent Chair commented that there appeared to be a lack of co-ordination between agencies and that the Board was carrying out a “learning review”. She added that the Compass Service was doing some good work.

46.4    The Director of Children’s Services advised the meeting that this would be the last meeting the Independent Chair would be attending as she was stepping down from the role.  She thanked her for all the work that she had done during her time as the Independent Chair.  This was endorsed by all Members present.

The current Scrutiny Work Programme and Cabinet Forward Plan are attached.

Members are asked to consider whether there are any other items they wish to be added to the work programme

47.1    The current Scrutiny Committee Work Programme and Cabinet forward Plan had been circulated.

47.2    The Chairman asked Members to let her know if there was any other topic that they wished to be added to the work programme

Members are reminded that the next scheduled meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday 1 February 2017 at 10.00am

48.1    Members were reminded that the next scheduled meeting of the Committee would be held on Wednesday 1 February 20177 at 10.00am