Agenda and minutes

To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 25th June, 2015 and to deal with any matters arising, attached.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 25^th June, 2015 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services providing an overview of performance across the Children and Family Division since June 2015, attached.

The Panel considered the report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Service providing and overview of performance across the Children and Family Division since June 2015.

Following on from the last meeting information was provided on how referrals were made to the MASH.  It was noted that although there had been a reduction in the number of referrals this may be due to the time of year with holidays and school closures impacting on demand.

The Panel looked at the detailed data that had been provided, focusing particularly on the areas where there had been significant changes.  There was a need to undertake additional analysis to see why these changes had occurred and what could be done to improve performance.

RESOLVED:-

  i.  that officers give consideration as to how elected members can be engaged in the campaigns to promote fostering and adoption in Southampton.  This should include ensuring that Councillors have contact details enabling them to signpost interested people to the appropriate first point of contact; and

  ii.  that the Council attends Hampshire Constabulary’s Families Day in Netley in June 2016, to increase awareness and interest in fostering and adoption, in Southampton and to promote the opportunities available.

Report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services setting out 2015 provisional exam results, attached.

The Panel considered the report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services concerning the provisional education attainment results in Southampton and also details of post 16 progression.

It was noted that the results at primary stage were often above national average however this changed at secondary level.  It was felt that this did not reflect the quality of the schools as identified in the Ofsted ratings.  There was a need to investigate the issues resulting in the performance variations at the various key stages.

The Panel expressed their concerns with the Key Stage 4 results for Looked After Children (LAC) and the support given to them to help them fulfil their potential.  Particular concerns were raised about the lack of Personal Education Plans and the necessary focus on education for LAC.

The Panel also suggested that more members needed to be encouraged to become school governors.  In addition the Panel agreed that Special Educational Needs, Early Years and Post 16 education would need to be considered by the Panel at a future meeting.

RESOLVED:-

  i.  to request that the Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Social Care, that through the agenda planning process, ensures that the Corporate Parenting Committee prioritises the educational attainment of LAC and ensure that Personal Education Plans were in place for all LAC;

  ii.  that Councillors were provided with information on the performance of schools within their ward;

  iii.  that information relating to LAC post 16 progression, keys stage 4 and 5, for 2015 be circulated to the Panel;

  iv.  that the breakdown of KS4 and KS5 results be circulated to the Panel when available, to enable appropriate reports to be developed for the December 2015 Panel meeting; and

  v.  that schools be given the opportunity to meeting with members to share their experiences of Ofsted inspections.

Report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services relating to recommendations made at previous meetings, attached.

The Panel noted the report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services setting out progress on recommendations made at previous meetings.