Issue - meetings

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

The Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports (PPRRs) for the Children, Family Services and Education Portfolio is 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). These include forecast performance and financial data (where this is available) for the Portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:

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

(ii)          Review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2021/22;

(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.

Officer contact:

Gaynor Ward, Strategy and Performance Manager, 0161 474 3186

gaynor.ward@stockport.gov.uk

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

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

The Director of Children’s Services and the Director of Education submitted a joint report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a summary of the 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).

The report included forecast performance and financial data (where this is available) for the Portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings

programme.

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

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

Priority One

·         Regarding CFSE.2, why is the percentage lower than last year. It was reported that mother’s breastfeeding was important and the aim was to get the target higher, but the ambition across Stockport  with colleagues in the health sector was to have a realistic target and to raise the standard.

·         Reflecting on the analysis of the Early Years consultants’ it was identified that the ‘highest level of need was social communication difficulties and sensory needs’. What impact has this had on the child’s development. In response, it was stated that the information was not available but that a written response would be shared with the Committee in due course.

·         Regarding the Start Well and School Readiness Strategy 2020-2023, there is a reference to the ‘aim of reducing the waiting time for assessment and intervention’ and was there an update as to the progress. In response, it was stated that this was being monitored monthly through the SEND Board with the last update being that the waiting list was being reduced, but there was still a lot of work ongoing to provide children with a better offer.

Priority Two

·         Regarding CFSE.28 and the % of young people in academic years 12 and 13 (16-18) in Apprenticeships and was the percentage lower than the previous year due to Covid. In response, it was stated that the reduction reflected a wider national trend and has been impacted by the pandemic.

Revenue – Cash Limit

·         Clarification was sought regarding the 2 bed provisions on the Broadfields site and the weekly costs. In response, it was stated that the volume of money being spent was a concern and was being looked at year on year, however, the figures were not just for Stockport but across the country, as there were often no places available in Stockport. It was further stated that the 2 bed provisions were for young people with complexed needs and was considered to be value for money. It was noted that the Competition and Marketing Authority (CAMA) had been commissioned by the Government to investigate the companies that provided the service and an update on the CAMA findings would be shared with the Committee at a future meeting.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That a detailed response be provided to the Committee on the impact on a child’s development relating to the analysis of the Early Years consultants’ findings that the ‘highest level of need was social communication difficulties and sensory needs’.

(3) An update be submitted to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee relating to the findings of the CAMA investigation into the companies that provided the service relating to placements for children and young people.