Report on the work of the Children’s Trust is attached.

Contact: Director of Children’s Services, Karen Bradshaw Tel 01743 254201.

Karen Bradshaw, the Director of Children’s Services introduced and amplified her report (copy attached to the signed Minutes).  She informed the Board that a joint Ofsted / CQC inspection was expected before the end of this calendar year.

This regular update briefing had been commissioned by the Health and Wellbeing Board from the Shropshire Children’s Trust, focussed on 0 – 25 Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and preparation for the OFSTED & Care Quality Commission Joint Local Area Inspection; the SEND High Needs Review and Development Plan; the proposed changes to children’s centre services and progress on the work being undertaken on ‘school readiness’. The Board were assured on the work of the Trust and areas for closer consideration by the Health and Wellbeing Board were highlighted.

RESOLVED: 

a)         That the Health and Wellbeing Board supports the work ongoing around preparation for SEND OFSTED & Care Quality Commission Joint Local Area Inspection and calls upon partners to engage with the revision of the 0 – 25 SEND self-evaluation.

b)         That the development plan for SEND high needs provision be noted.

c)          That the consultation on the proposed changes to children centre services be noted.

d)         That partners be encouraged to promote and disseminate the leaflets on school readiness when available.

Report on the work of the Children’s Trust is attached.

Contact: Director of Children’s Services, Karen Bradshaw Tel 01743 254201.

The Director of Children’s Services introduced and amplified a report (copy attached to the signed minutes) which gave an update briefing on the focus of Educational Achievement in Shropshire – ‘Diminishing the Difference’ – a partnership approach to promoting and supporting the health and wellbeing of children, young people and families in Shropshire.

Sadly it was noted that many schools in Shropshire might be missing out on the pupil premium because many families did not take up their entitlement to Free School Meals (FSM).  It was thought this might be due to lack of knowledge or often due to a perceived stigma associated with claiming FSM.  Therefore the Director of Children’s Services stressed the importance of getting the message out to those who were entitled to claim to please do so and thereby draw down as much money as possible for their schools.

RESOLVED: That the information within the report be noted and that all partners consider how they might raise awareness with families they come into contact with and encourage them to claim Free School Meals as far as possible.