Agenda and minutes

The Director of Children’s Services welcomed everyone to the Board meeting and thanked them for their attendance.

It was confirmed that Anita Rolf would be appointed as Vice Chair of the Stockport Family Partnership Board for the remainder of 2021/22.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Tim Bowman, Jennifer Connolly, Josie Kershaw, Richard Mortimer, Inspector Marcus Noden, Councillor Amanda Peers, Anita Rolf, Nuala O’Rourke, Joanne Whittingham and Deborah Woodcock.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 14 July 2021 were approved as a correct record subject to the following: -

·         Also in Attendance - Geraldine Gerrard’s job title to be amended from “Principal Lead Integrated Services, Health” to correctly read “Head of Business Support (Commissioning & Contracts).

·         Item 7 – New Healthy Child Programme Commissioning Guidance, paragraph 4 the words “Chair of the Children Integrated Board” being replaced with “Chair of the Greater Manchester School Readiness Board”.

Members were invited to declare any interests they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No interests were declared.

Kirsteen Roe (Service Director), submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) relating to the Future High Street Funds Engagement and highlighted the following: -

·         Stockport successfully bid for £14.5m of Government Future High Street Fund money to transform vacant retail units in the heart of the high street;

·         The Future High Street Fund bid was for Stockroom, a universal learning and discovery space;

·         This space could inspire, entertain and support the people of Stockport and drive people back into the Town Centre;

·         Engagement was currently open and would continue for four weeks till Sunday 1^st August 2021.

·         Following the engagement, the results would be analysed and assessed and then the consultation period would begin which would result in decisions being made about Stockroom and its development over the next two years.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Clarification was sought on whether surveys and information relating to the “Local Offer” could be included in the consultation and how could it be taken forward. In response it was noted that it would be looked into, but that information was already being shared directly with schools via leaflets.

The Board thanked Kirsteen Roe (Service Director) for the report and information shared.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Board agreed that this item be deferred to the next meeting.

Sally Roy (Programme Lead Improvement) provided a verbal update to the Board relating to the SEND Update and highlighted the following: -

·       As a local area the focus has been on preparing for a revisit which would be expected in the summer term.

·       Not had notification from Ofsted and CQC therefore this may be in the autumn term.

·       The local area has taken the approach of storyboards to demonstrate the journey of improvement, the highlights, what is still to do and the impact of lived experience on children and families

·       A number of these storyboards are published on the local offer and would be built on in the coming weeks.

·       Required to provide an impact report and this was currently in draft and included evidence of impact of the actions that have been working on in the form of case studies.

·       Will continue to build on this in preparation for the autumn term.

·       Continue to review the written statement of action and progress against it.

·       Continue to focus on making improvements for SEND children and young with SEND and their families.

The Chair thanked Sally and her team for the update and wished them the best as they prepare for the next inspection.

RESOLVED – That the update be noted.

Carolyn Anderson (Children’s Transformation Lead) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing details relating to the outcomes for children and young people and the benefits of the integration programme.

Councillor Foster commented that it would be helpful for the Board if the progress update could include the identification of the rollout and localities and how it was made up. In response, it was stated that the information would be shared in advance of the next meeting.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Director for Children Services submitted a briefing paper (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update relating to the North West approach to the Government’s National Transfer Scheme and the ‘call for action’ to support Kent on “Unaccompanied Asylum Seekers”.

The Chair, provided the Board with an update on the Stockport position following the arrival of a cohort of children the previous week.

The following comments/issues were raised: -

·       It was commented that there was a lead within Stockport Family who was liaising with other regions to learn about the background of the children.

·       Three young people arrived last week and a further three young people also arrived with a number of young people expected soon.

·       Stockport are keen on drawing the key professionals together to work together to help as best as possible, as some of the young people are over 16 years old, so everything needed to be done to support them.

·       Concern was expressed regarding the lack of background information that accompanied the young people and attention should be paid to a fair spread across the borough to support those young people with complex needs, so that they are not placed in one school.

·       It was noted that there should also be language support in place so they are not isolated and their English can improve as soon as possible to improve the integration process.

RESOLVED – That the update be noted.

To consider the Forward Plan of agenda items for future meetings of the Stockport Family Partnership Board.

The Board is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Charles Yankiah, 0161 474 3206, charles.yankiah@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out planned agenda items for the Stockport Family Partnership Board’s next meeting.

Carolyn Anderson informed the Board that the holiday and activities and food programme was now live for children eligible for free school meals and would be shared with families and through the various networks.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.