Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 3 June 2015.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 3 June 2015 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

The following interest was declared:-

Personal Interest

To consider a report of the Corporate Director, Services for People.

The report presents the draft Supporting Children and Safe & Resilient Communities Portfolio Agreements (Appendix 1) for consideration and comment by the Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee are invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Gaynor Alexander on Tel: 474 3186 or email: Gaynor.alexander@stockport.gov.uk

Representatives of the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) presenting for comment the Portfolio Performance and Resources Agreements 2015/2016 in relation to the Supporting Children and Safe & Resilient Communities Portfolio Agreements.

The Executive Councillors attended the meeting and answered Councillors questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

Supporting Children

·         2015/2016 would see the next phase of integrated working as the Stockport Family approach was developed and rolled out – the removal of barriers to co-ordinated and timely support from multiple providers. Councillors requested that regular reports be submitted in relation to this issue.

·         Strong focus on safeguarding, prevention and early intervention – In 2015/2016, the Council received a grant of £3.02 million to support the integration of social care within the wider children’s workforce.

·         80% of all eligible children in Stockport took up the free childcare offer – the ambition remains to maximise take up and the Council was not being complacent in trying to achieve this goal. The ambition was to be the best in the country.

·         Parental interventions and the associated positive experiences were welcomed.

·         The roll out of the Stockport Family programme – councillors requested that regular updates be provided so that they could monitor the efforts to get maximum benefit and track against targets.

Safe and Resilient Communities

·         One of the main aims for the next year was to deliver effective leadership across education in the borough, helping to drive up standards and deliver sufficient school places.

·         The statutory duties of the Corporate Director for People and powers in respect to the 16-18 year old sector.

·         Reduction of anti-social behaviour and the reduction of reoffending was directly related to behaviour and performance in schools. Councillors asked that updates be provided to future meetings.

·         The publication of a report in respect to the investment of pupil premium – examples of where it worked well and others where it wasn’t as well utilised. The Committee noted that children entitled to pupil premium were more likely to progress in outstanding schools.

·         An explanation was provided in relation to the Academic Year measures and the targets chosen, including the effects of the last year’s examination process.

·         The roll out of the Stockport Family model in priority neighbourhoods and the aspirations for children and young people – a report would be submitted to a future meeting to enable the Committee to better understand the work undertaken in the priority areas.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director, Services for People.

The report sets out a 12-month update on the recommendations made in the final report.

The Scrutiny Committee are invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Emma Storer on Tel: 473 3974 or email:emma.storer@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a 12 month update on the recommendations made in the final report.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Restorative Justice – 33 training sessions had already been carried out which had been extremely productive. It was hoped that this would have a positive effect reducing exclusion numbers.

·         Working Party of secondary school Heads and officer had been set up and Councillors asked that they be kept informed of the work of this group.

·         Visits had been made to consider best practice at other local authorities.

·         Identifying young people at an early age and carrying out early interventions and providing support earlier.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director, Services for People.

The report sets out the Executive response to the Integrated Prevention Service Scrutiny Review.

The Scrutiny Committee are invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Viki Packman on Tel: 474 4573 or email: viki.packman@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillors (Supporting Children) and (Safe & Resilient Communities) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated outlining the actions taken in response to Scrutiny Review: Integrated Prevention Services: Developing Partnership Working.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Director of Public Health.

The report provides an update on -

·         National prevalence data on mental health disorders amongst the LAC population

• The predicted impact of this in Stockport
• Measuring wellbeing and the use of the Strengths and Difficulties questionnaire
• Responding to the needs of Looked After Children
• Support in Stockport for Looked After Children
• Innovations in care for Looked After Children
• Challenges and areas for development.

The Scrutiny Committee are invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Catherine Johnson on Tel: 474 2446 or email: Catherine.johnson@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Director of Public Health submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Scrutiny Committee on:

·         National prevalence data on mental health disorders amongst the LAC population

·         The predicted impact of this in Stockport

·         Measuring wellbeing and the use of the Strengths and Difficulties questionnaire

·         Responding to the needs of Looked After Children

·         Support in Stockport for Looked After Children

·         Innovations in care for Looked After Children

·         Challenges and areas for development.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Mental Health treatment for children, the provision of advice and support.

·         Seeking out the most appropriate form of help and the role of school nurses.

·         The Stockport Family approach- good foundation in schools for providing additional support. Many High Schools have counselling support available – public health initiatives in schools.

·         Statutory Health assessments of Looked After Children and the development of health plans when needs are identified.

·         Concern was expressed at the number of Looked After Children who had mental health issues.

·         Care leavers are at particular risk as they will experience difficulties which will impact their ability to function well but that do not meet the thresholds for support from mental health services.

·         The relationship between the Local Authority and the Clinical Commissioning Group when commissioning the services of CAMHS.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and officers be thanked for their attendance.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The report sets out planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committees next meeting and Forward Plan items that fall within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee are invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Stephen Fox on Tel: 474 3206 or email: stephen.fox@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and any forward plan items that fell within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.