Agenda and minutes

The Chairman of the Committee, Councillor Reuben Thompstone welcomed all attendees to this meeting of the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee.

It was RESOLVED that subject to the correction on p2 to read Ms Lisa Hayes Pate, the minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee held on 15^th November 2017 be agreed as a correct record.

Apologies for absence were received from:

·         Ms Marily Nathan, Co-Opted Member

The following declarations were made at the meeting:

None.

None.  

6 a)     Member’s Item in the name of Councillor Anne Hutton – International Zero Tolerance to FGM Day 2018

Councillor Anne Hutton introduced the item in her name.

Upon invitation of the Chairman, Ms Comfort Momoh, member of the British FGM national clinical group joined the table and addressed the Committee.

Ms Momoh spoke about the effects of FGM on mental health, particularly for children and young people. She emphasised the need and ongoing efforts to raise awareness of this issue within the borough and to link this with the International Zero Tolerance to FGM Day which will be held on 6^th February.

In response to a query about collaborative working, Ms Momoh highlighted the work undertaken to inform communities about this issue. She also spoke about the need to encourage further reporting among communities as well as professionals.

It was unanimously RESOLVED that:

1)    The Committee referred the above Member’s item to the Community Leadership Committee for consideration.

2)      A statement be released in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee, Strategic Director for Children & Young People and Councillor Anne Hutton to help raise awareness of International Zero Tolerance to FGM Day, which is held on 6 February. 

The Strategic Director for Children & Young People, Chris Munday presented the third update report on Barnet Children's Services Improvement Action Plan.

In response to a question about audit activity, Tina McElligott, Operational Director Early Help, Children in Need of Help and Protection informed the Committee about the increase in quality assurance activities as a lens to practice which in turn becomes an integral part of the learning and development process to drive practice improvements.

In addition, Ms McElligott spoke about the review of thematic audits with staff which facilitates reflection and consideration of lessons learned which is becoming an integral part of practice.

Mr Munday provided Members with an overview of the current workload numbers as set out in the data dashboard which provides an update on progress to the seven improvement themes.

Ms Brigitte Jordaan, Operational Director Corporate Parenting spoke about driving a culture of change in reference to case ownership with children being placed at the centre.

In response to a query about levels of caseloads, Ms Jordaan informed the Committee about fluctuation of caseloads due to transfers between teams. Ms McElligott spoke about the importance of staff capacity and the need to balance case load as relative to the type and level of work being undertaken.

The Committee noted the progress made in improving services for children and young people in accordance with the Ofsted monitoring visit feedback letter and queried about the work needed to continue to make long term improvements.

Mr Munday referred to the improvement themes and noted the importance of management and leadership to achieve the changes needed. To continue to work effectively with schools, police, health and other partners. As well as a common understanding of the aims across the system.

In reference to case recording, the Committee noted the improvement made and that this remains of a variable standard. The Committee requested an update within the next Update Report on social work practice, case recording and actions taken to improve standards. (Action)

It was RESOLVED:

1.    That the Committee noted the progress of the Barnet Children's Services Improvement Action Plan as set out in paragraphs 1.8 to 1.71.

2.    That the Committee noted details of Ofsted’s monitoring visit set out in paragraphs 1.11 to 1.14 and the monitoring visit feedback letter received from Ofsted attached in Appendix 1.

3.    That the Committee noted and scrutinised as above the performance information provided in paragraphs 1.72 to 1.85 and Barnet Children’s Services Improvement Plan Data Dashboard attached in Appendix 2.

The Chairman welcomed the report and invited Tina McElligott, Operational Director Early Help, Children in Need of Help and Protection to present the report.

Ms McElligott informed the Committee about the case for change within Early Help services is centred around three key areas, namely Improved ways of working, Site services closer to families and Delivering cost effective services. It is aimed to drive further improvements to early help services.

The Committee heard about the pilot programme testing in the East-Central locality of the borough. Ms McElligott spoke about the positive effects of the pilot since the start in September 2017.

It was noted that families have been able to access multi-agency support services and receive the help needed much quicker due to strong partnership working and information sharing between professionals across different organisations. The Committee noted the importance of ensuring that joined up working is purposeful and effective.

Members welcomed the report and noted the feedback from the pilot programme as a method of retaining continuous contact with families. The Committee also welcomed the consultation and noted the options which includes the use of venues Greentops and Finchley Youth Centre.

It was unanimously RESOLVED:

1.    That the Committee reviewed the Outline Business Case for the proposed long term model of 0-19 Hub Delivery as outlined in Appendix 1.

2.    That the Committee agreed that the public consultation on proposals for introducing a new 0-19 Hub model will commence on 1 February 2018.

3.    That the Committee agreed to a Full Business Case coming back to the CELS committee at its meeting in June 2018. (Action: Forward Work Plan)

The Chairman introduced the Draft Corporate Plan for 2018-19 Addendum. Mr Munday presented the report and highlighted the corporate priorities which fall within the remit of the Committee for 2018-19, the Children’s Services Improvement Plan and Delivering the family-friendly Barnet vision.

In response to a request from the Committee, it was agreed that consultation be held with lead officers to consider incorporating the family-friendly Barnet vision, resilient families and children as part of future regeneration. 

It was RESOLVED that:

That the Committee reviewed the draft Corporate Plan 2018/19 addendum, including the key activities and targets for the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee, and recommended any changes prior to consideration of the Corporate Plan 2018/19 addendum by Policy and Resources Committee on 13 February 2017.

Votes were recorded as follows:

The Chairman welcomed the report and invited Ian Harrison, Education and Skills Director, Barnet with Cambridge Education to present the report to the Committee.

Mr Harrison informed the Committee that all schools will be funded in accordance with the new National Funding Formula from 2020-21. The Committee heard about the representations made to the government and the DfE’s responses.

In response to a query from the Committee, Mr Harrison noted that it is now possible to ensure that no school will receive less funding per pupil than in the current year. He also pointed out the extra growth funding as allocation for Barnet schools. 

It was RESOLVED that:

1.    The Committee noted the annual report on school funding in Barnet including:

· The National Funding Formula for schools and proposals for the Barnet School Funding Formula for 2018-19 and

· The draft Barnet Schools Budget for 2018-19

2.    The Committee approved the adoption and implementation of Option 2 from the consultation with schools on the Barnet School Funding Formula for 2018-19 – the National Funding Formula with additional protection.

3.    The Committee approved the submission of the Authority Proforma Tool (which specifies the authority’s funding formula for schools) on the basis of Option 2 from the consultation with schools on the Barnet School Funding Formula for 2018-19 – the National Funding Formula with additional protection and with the provision for a Minimum Funding Guarantee of 0%, which means that no school will receive less money per pupil in 2018-19 than they did in 2017-18, while any schools gaining from the phased introduction of the National Funding Formula will have their gains capped at +0.24% per pupil.

4.    The Committee noted that the overall Schools Budget will be considered by the Policy and Resources Committee at its next meeting on 13th February 2018.

Votes were recorded as follows:

The Committee noted the standing item on the agenda which lists the future business items for 2018.

It was RESOLVED:

That the Committee noted the Forward Work Programme for 2018.

None.