Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Children’s Services.

The Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports (PPRRs) for the Children, Family Services and Education Portfolio are presented for consideration by the Committee. These provide a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programmes and other key projects in the first half of the year, with a particular focus on the second quarter (July to September) and up to the end of October where possible. These include forecast performance and financial data (where this is available) for the Portfolios, along with an update on the portfolio savings programmes.  

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:  

(i)            Consider the Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports;

(ii)          Review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2020/21;

(iii)         Highlight key areas of and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to address any performance or resource issues;

(iv)         Highlight any significant issues or changes to be fed back to the Cabinet alongside the Corporate Performance and Resource Report;

(v)          Identify how areas of strong performance and good practice can be shared in other services. 

Gaynor Ward, Strategy and Performance Manager, on 0161 474 3186 or email gaynor.ward@stockport.gov.uk 

Gill Dixon, CSS Manager (Specialist) Finance – Children’s Social Care, on 0161 474 3886, or email gill.dixon@stockport.gov.uk

Peter Hughes, CSS Manager (Specialist) Finance – Education & Schools, on 0161 474 3947 or email peter.hughes@stockport.gov.uk

The Director for Children’s Services and the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Report (PPRR) for the Children, Family Services and Education Portfolio. The report provided a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects in the first half of the year, with a particular focus on the second quarter (July to September) and up to the end of October where possible. The report also included a forecast on performance and financial data (where this was available) for the Portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Family Services & Education (Councillor Colin Foster) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Clarification was sought regarding the RAG ratings in general and Priority 5 regarding young people missing from home/care. In response, it was stated that discussions were underway regarding the RAG ratings and how it was derived at.

·         Members enquired about Priority Two, CFSE29 and the “Percentage of care leavers (19-21) in suitable education, training and employment and the reasons for the ‘red rating’. In response, it was noted that it was an improvement from last year for the same period with an ambitious target and that comparatively Stockport were doing well. It was also stated that there was collaboration with employment and skills and higher/further education to improve the work in the area.

·         It was commented that the schools have performed really well regarding Covid-19 and the ‘track and trace’ system, however, there have been concerns regarding getting to and from school and the various bus routes. In response, it was noted that it was a challenge to ‘police’ children and young people on buses regarding the wearing of masks, but discussions were underway to look at different approaches with schools looking at ‘self-isolating’ and ‘bubbles’ accordingly.

·         Members enquired about the transitions for primary and secondary school pupils during the pandemic. In response, it was stated that work had taken place before the Covid pandemic, but since then more creative and innovative methods have been adopted by schools, for example, virtual school tours which have been received positively by parents. In addition, there would be some learning to adopt post-Covid which would be looked at accordingly.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.