Issue - meetings

Report of the Leader of the Council, detailing the successes of Southampton City Council since July.

The report of the Leader of the Council was submitted setting out the details of the business undertaken by the Executive.

The Leader and the Cabinet made statements and responded to questions.

The following questions were submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.1:-

1.  SEN Sector

Question from Councillor Guest to Councillor Paffey

QUESTION:  Will the Cabinet member commit to ensuring the support and resources are put in place to support the SEN sector and ensure their needs are catered for in Southampton?

ANSWER: The Labour administration is committed to ensuring that children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities receive the support they need. Members will be aware of the current proposals for the expansion and reconfiguration of the city’s special schools, a programme launched when we were previously in office to ensure the best educational opportunities and support possible for Southampton’s children. With all feasibility studies now complete, we anticipate bringing forward the next stage and going to full public consultation shortly.

Further work is ongoing to improve our offer for pupils with SEND in mainstream education, with the aim of developing consistent and inclusive provision across the city. This is in line with the Inclusion priority in the SEND, Education and Children’s Services strategies, and will include a bid to government for more investment in this area.

2.  Children’s Homes

Councillor Guthrie to Councillor Paffey

QUESTION: What are the Cabinet Member’s plans to ensure that the city’s children’s homes are adequately and sustainably staffed once they are completed and can care for children?

ANSWER: Recruiting the highest quality staff is a priority in ensuring our proposed children’s residential homes can improve outcomes for children in our care.

We plan to stagger the opening of children’s homes, allowing for the recruitment and establishment of teams in stages. This will avoid creating recruitment pressures in a short space of time, and will help to ensure sustainability of multiple homes.

Staff will be supported through therapeutic clinical supervision which will be available on a group and individual basis as required. The aim will be to establish stable, supported, and resilient teams across the homes.

Staff salaries have been benchmarked and we are confident that renumeration will be competitive and attractive in the current market. 

Finally, leadership is key to operating a successful children’s home and so the salary of the registered manager position will attract an experienced manager with an established track record for delivering excellent services to children. 

3.  Youth Offending

Councillor Vaughan to Councillor Renyard

QUESTION: First time offenders within Youth Offending are not having their cases heard for up to two to three years. Instead of going to court for one minimal crime, a young person can end up going to court for three of a more serious nature. Can the Cabinet Member advise what the administration is doing to resolve this issue?

ANSWER: We welcome your interest in the matter.

First time entrants (FTE) are children and young people who receive a youth  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45