Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 17 October 2023.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 17 October 2023 were approved.

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

Councillors and officers to declare any interest which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No interests were declared.

To consider a report of the Director of Education, Works and Skills.

The report provides details relating to the Services for Young People and data gathered to date relating to:-

·       How to fulfil our Statutory duty under Section 507B of the Education Act

·       Guidance Overview – Needs Assessment

·       Analyse, Plan, Do Review Commissioning Model

·       Impact on Workforce Development

·       RTime Detached Team – Peer Review

·       Feedback from Young People

The Panel is requested to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Heidi Shaw, email: Heidi.shaw@stockport.gov.uk

The Director, Family Help and Integration (Heidi Shaw) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing details relating to the Services for Young People and data gathered relating to:-

How to fulfil our Statutory duty under Section 507B of the Education Act

·       Covers 13 - 19 year olds (or up to 24 for those with special educational needs).

·       Authorities must secure sufficient services for qualifying young people in their area.

·       Authorities may directly provide services, assist others in the provision of services, make arrangements for facilitating access to services or anything else that may be appropriate.

·       Authorities may also consider if actions should be taken by the Authority or another party, and they may charge for anything provided under this duty.

·       Authorities must take steps to learn about young people’s views in the area.

·       Authorities must publicise information about available services and keep this up to date.

·       Authorities must have regard to any guidance.

·       The council  is  not  duty  bound  to  directly  deliver  these services themselves  but have  a  duty  to  ensure  access  to youth services that meet high standards.

Guidance Overview – Needs Assessment

·       Each local authority must co-produce and publish a local youth offer plan.  This will be informed by the local needs analysis.  Councils are advised to adopt a typical analyse, plan, do, review model.  This is a large piece of work to undertake.

Analyse, Plan, Do Review Commissioning Model

·       Each council must work with young people and their local youth sector partners to complete the local youth needs assessment.  This should be both quantitively and qualitatively information using local knowledge.

·       The goal is to publish a public report that shows the needs of young people and how the council and its partners will focus the efforts and resources.

Impact on Workforce Development

·       LA’s will want to consider implementing a workforce development plan, devised with consideration given to the local needs analysis, the capacity and strength of existing local providers and the strategics and operational priorities of other allied sectors in the area.  A co-produced plan will support LA’s and its partners to invest in and secure the right mix of workers (paid or voluntary).

·       All staff and volunteers should have the opportunity to access and engage in training and development activities that support their own needs and those of young people.

·       There should be an expectation that all people working with young people (paid or unpaid in any capacity) have undergone basic safeguarding training that is updated bi-annually.  This training does not have to be provided by the LA but it should be identified, coordinated and promoted by them.

RTime Detached Team – Peer Review

·       Peer review took place on 4th October and was led by Youth Focus North West.

·       Youth Focus North West (YFNW), as the regional youth work unit, has taken a lead in co[1]ordinating and managing a peer-to-peer programme across the region which is developmental and promotes critical dialogue

·       The focus for the review was on strategic positioning of youth work and its contribution to LA outcomes. Engaging with and reporting to senior officers/elected members

·       The reviewing team interviewed various strategic leads, Councillor Meikle, 3rd sector organisations, the R Time detached team and also spoke to a group of young people.

·       The review team was impressed by the enthusiasm which senior managers, and elected members demonstrated for children and young people in Stockport. Senior managers report that Stockport Children’s Services is ‘on a journey’ of rapid and fundamental rethinking about service delivery.

·       The review team is of the view that youth work, as a unique discipline and shared methodology, is not sufficiently evident among the above developments.

·       The small detached team has a clear purpose, is respected, and appears to plan and conduct its work coherently. Vitally, young people regularly engage with detached worker.

·       It is now timely for managers to consider a time limited review into whether youth  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To provide the Panel with the opportunity to discuss the information and evidence presented by officers and witnesses, receive responses to questions relating to the scope of the review and formulate recommendations.

No further questions were asked.

To note the agreed dates for future meetings of the Scrutiny Review and the timescales for undertaking the review as follows: -

Scrutiny Review Dates

18 December 2023

Final Report to Committee

28 February 2024

Final Report to Cabinet

12 March 2024

RESOLVED - That the Assistant Director Legal & Democratic Governance be authorised to determine future dates of the Panel in consultation with the Chair and the Panel members if required.