Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from the following members of the panel

Cllr Susan Constable

Cllr Dr Michael Hardacre

Cllr Paula Brookfield

Mrs Rosalie Watkins

Portia Tsvangirai

There were no declarations of interest recorded

[To approve the minutes of the previous meetings as a correct record.]

The minutes of the meeting of 24.9.14 were approved

[To consider any matters arising from the minutes.]

There were no matters arising from the minutes.

[Mark Taylor, Assistant Director Finance, to present report]

Cllr Val Gibson, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, gave a brief overview of the background to the budget savings proposals. Cllr Gibson commented on the further savings target of £15 million to be achieved by 2016/17. Cllr Gibson commented that if any of the savings proposals are not accepted that savings would have to be sought from elsewhere.

Cllr Gibson commented that the biggest budget cost was expenditure on looked after children service, but explained that the work of the Families R First programme is expected to deliver savings in the future. Cllr Gibson commented on the learning from the changes introduced by Essex County Council in the looked after children service and the work being done to implement them locally.

Cllr Gibson confirmed the Council’s commitment to Wolverhampton Youth Zone. Cllr Gibson commented on discussions with representatives of Steve Morgan Foundation about future plans.

The panel comments on the saving proposals are attached at appendix 1.

Appendix 1

[Alex Chilcott, Head of Standards and Vulnerable Pupils, to present report on the Ofsted school inspection outcomes from the most recent cycle of inspections (April 2014 – November 2014)]

Alexandra Chilcott explained that 19 schools had been fully inspected and the report provides a summary of the judgements of Ofsted As a result of the Ofsted inspections Wolverhampton is expected to move up the league table.

The panel commented that the performance of secondary schools was much better than primary schools.  The panel commented about concerns from expressed by primary schools that they had not been properly supported by the school improvement team. Furthermore, there was surprise about the lack of support to help schools prepare for the Ofsted inspection.

Alexandra explained that due to budgetary pressures and changes in the service there is strong focus on challenging schools to prepare for the inspection and improve their service.  Alexandra explained that there are two primary school advisers that cover 80 primary schools, which makes it difficult to provide the kind of support that schools would like. There is no secondary school adviser.

In addition, schools can buy in additional support from other providers in preparation for an Ofsted inspection.

The panel commented on the results for Deansfield Secondary School which was now in special measures and queried the reasons for change. Alexandra explained that the result for Deansfield was a surprise. The Ofsted report had previously been subject to light touch inspection due its previous performance at GSCE. The effectiveness of school leadership was highlighted in the report.

A key factor in Deansfield school results was a national change which meant that vocational qualifications were no longer included in the calculation of the GCSE scores. This change had a massive difference to schools teaching a large number of vocational subjects. Deansfield School is currently looking for an academy sponsor.

The progress of the school is being reviewed every six weeks by the school improvement board. The school have been advised to make changes to their action plan. The school are also receiving support from inspection services.

Youth Council criticised the support given to Deansfield School and was concerned about the GSCE rate falling from 78% to 48%. Alexandra explained that the results are unvalidated and do not take account the work done with the school to improve its performance.  Alexandra commented on the support given to schools before an inspection by the school improvement service.

The panel commented on the ‘warning signs’ in respect of light touch schools and whether they the school inspectors could have picked up that there was an issue. Alexandra commented that the changes such as the appointment of a new Headteacher or changes in the membership of school governing bodies are situations where inspectors will look at a school.

Alexandra explained that all schools get a visit from the school improvement service and inspectors will consider risk factors and where there are concerns extra visits are arranged.

The panel welcomed the report and the improvements in the performance of schools that were inspected. The panel commented on whether the approach adopted by the service was too ‘heavy handed’ and affecting the relationship with schools.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

[Daphne Atkinson, Fostering Team Manager, to present the fostering recruitment process in Wolverhampton, the challenges, particularly in light of the increase in Looked After Children and the strategy to address these challenges.]

8                    Fostering recruitment strategy report

Daphne Atkinson and Alison Hinds introduced the report. Alison outlined the range of work being done to recruit new foster carers and promote the service. Alison explained that Wolverhampton is part of a DfE support initiative with Fostering network and work is being done using social media to engage with potential foster carers and also to explain what is involved in the process and what they should expect.

Daphne commented that Wolverhampton is on target to meets its aims to approving an agreed number of foster care applications.

Daphne commented that the service had received nine referrals contacts last week, which will be followed up. Daphne commented on the use of MOSAIC system to help to profile potential foster carers. The information provided is used to target foster carers in a different way than before.

Daphne commented that the foster care service is looking at the fees policy as part of wider efforts to both support existing foster carers and also recruit new foster carers.

Cllr Gibson commented on the work being done with City Direct who initially takes the enquiries. Cllr Gibson commented that there was not enough follow up during the early stages of the recruitment process.  Daphne commented on the work being done with City Direct when they receive calls to check that the caller meets the basic criteria before referring them. For example, that the caller has a spare bedroom. Daphne explained that work is being done on the revised script for City Direct which will help to improve the situation and ensure that calls are dealt with correctly. This work will be supported by uploading of information on share point.

Cllr Gibson wanted to record her thanks to staff who given up their time to attend public fostering events and show a level of enthusiasm that engaged members of the public.

The panel expressed surprise that the report did not include references to Wolverhampton College and the fostering courses they offer.

Daphne explained the Wolverhampton College are a provider of NVQ and Diploma courses for the service. In addition, the fostering service also provides online training services which provide extensive training opportunities and flexibility of access for foster carers.

The panel commented on the checks done on the suitability of potential foster carers.  Cllr Gibson commented on the reasons why people may not go through the whole process. Cllr Gibson explained that people can start the process again at a future date. Daphne explained that it is important that people are clear about what is expected from them as future foster carers and it fits with their family circumstances and home situation.

Alison commented on the importance of looking at the reasons why people have dropped out and continuing to talk to them and the work done to support existing foster carers.

Daphne commented on the importance of keeping in touch with people who have expressed an interest in wanting to be a foster carer.

The panel commented on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

[Colin Parr, Licensing Manager, to present report]

Colin Parr gave a brief summary of the report headlines and the reasons for presenting the report to the panel. Colin explained that there have been regular meetings between employees from licensing services and safeguarding. The findings of the Jay Report into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham had highlighted the role played by the taxi drivers in the abuse.

Colin commented on the value of the regular contact between the services and how information sharing agreements had been used as to support investigations into concerns about private hire driver’s licenses. Colin commented on the establishment of the Regulatory and Safeguarding Forum and that this was the only such forum in the West Midlands region.

The panel endorsed the report and the reassurance that the issue of child safeguarding is being tackled together by the key agencies. The panel queried the opportunity for councillor involvement in the process.

Colin explained that regular reports are presented to the licensing committee, but there was limited Councillor involvement in the process. The licensing committee get updates on progress. The work is also within the remit of the Childrens Board.

Colin commented that an update report will be presented to the panel in 12 months detailing the work of the forum. The report will provide the opportunity to see the impact of the new work detailed in the report. Colin commented that in addition to the issue of taxi drivers, there was also concern about young children working in off-licences and selling alcohol to other children.

Colin explained that a report could be presented to the panel in December 2015.

Resolved

The panel welcomed the report and agreed to receive an update report detailing the work of regulatory services and safeguarding forum at meeting in December 2015.

The meeting closed at 7:35pm