Issue - meetings

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

The Third Quarter Update Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports (PPRRs) for the Children, Family Services and Education Portfolio is presented for consideration by the Committee.

This provides a summary of progress in delivering the Portfolio priority outcomes since the mid-year reports. In the case of the budget and capital updates, these cover the period since the Q2+ report considered by CRMG Scrutiny in January and Cabinet on 1^st February.

The Third Quarter Update Reports focus on the Portfolio performance measures which are reported where new data or forecasts are available since the Mid-Year Reports.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

·       Consider the Third Quarter Update Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports;

·       Review the progress against key measures, targets and budgets for 2021/22;

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

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

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

Officer contact:

Gaynor Ward, Strategy and Performance Manager

gaynor.ward@stockport.gov.uk  (474 3186)

Gill Dixon, CSS Manager (Specialist) Finance – Children’s Social Care

gill.dixon@stockport.gov.uk   (474 3886)

Peter Hughes, CSS Manager (Specialist) Finance – Education & Schools

peter.hughes@stockport.gov.uk   (474 3947)

The Director of Children’s Services and Director of Education submitted a joint report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the third quarter update Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports for the  Children, Family Services and Education Portfolio. These provide a summary of progress in delivering the Portfolio priority outcomes since the mid-year reports.

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

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

Part One - Portfolio Overview

·       Clarification was sought regarding the market authority being investigated especially with the number of Children Looked After growing year on year. In response, it was noted that the investigation was due to be completed in the summer together with another activity as part of the Greater Manchester partnership regarding sufficiency of places for children in care.

·       Members congratulated Stockport MOSAIC service for receiving an overall rating of ‘Good’ by the CQC following an inspection in mid-December.

Priority Two

·       Regarding CFSE.28 – Percentage of young people in academic Years 12 and 13 (16-18) in Apprenticeships it was noted that the numbers were again low due to Covid.

Priority Three

·       Regarding CFSE.65 – Early Help Assessment conversion rate (within 30 days), it was noted that the target had not been met for the last 5 years but the Committee welcomed the review.

Part Two – Financial Resources and Monitoring

·       Clarification was sought regarding associated costs relating to the Youth Offending Service. In response, it was stated that the Local Authority was not in control of the process and system, it was the responsibility of the judiciary system that sets the rate nationally and until the young people are sentenced the Local Authority has to pay the costs while the young people are in remand.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.