Agenda and minutes

The Chair Welcomed Members and Officers to the Joint Meeting of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee. A special welcome was made to Mr L Patterson the newly elected Co-opted Voting Parent Governor representative as a Member of the Committee.

Apologies of absence were received from County Borough Councillors S. Morgans, S Powell, G Stacey and H Fychan

To receive disclosures of personal interest from Members in accordance with the Code of Conduct

Note:

1.     Members are requested to identify the item number and subject matter that their interest relates to and signify the nature of the personal interest: and

2.   Where Members withdraw from a meeting as a consequence of the disclosure of a prejudicial interest they must notify the Chairman when they leave.

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, there were no declarations made pertaining to the agenda.

To receive the minutes of the previous meeting of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee held on 4^th November 2020.

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 4^th November 2020  as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

Information is provided in respect of relevant consultations for consideration by the Committee.

The Chair referenced the consultation links, which were available through the ‘RCT Scrutiny’ website.  The Chair reminded Members that Information is provided in respect of relevant consultations for consideration by the Committee, which are circulated on a monthly basis by the Scrutiny Research Officer

To receive a Joint Presentation from Children’s Services and Education in respect of the integrated wellbeing support for Children and Young People in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

The Chair explained  that there were a number of officers present and suggested that  the presentation would be taken in sections and after each section Members of the committee would be asked to put forward their question before moving on to the next service area.

The Chair invited to the Director of Education & Inclusion Services and the Director of Children’s Services to present the report and the supporting presentation.

In response to Scrutiny Committees request for information relating to the wellbeing and emotional support for children and young people during Covid -19 Members were presented with a high-level presentation that illustrates the breath of support available across both directorates.

The Directors explained that Officer from a range service areas were present to present an overview of the extensive work carried out by their individual areas and officers would be available to take question from Members at any given point.

Officers recapped on the information the Committee had been previously received regarding Covid- 19 stating that a total of 25 childcare hubs were swiftly established throughout the County Borough to ensure that the needs of the most vulnerable  and the children of critical workers were met during the school closure period. It was also explained that pre-school children also accessed free childcare as part of the Coronavirus Childcare Assistance Scheme.

The Director of Education continued to explain that since children returned to school in September significant numbers of families across RCT continue to face ongoing hardship such as financial difficulties, health issues and multiple adverse experiences. It was highlighted that to meet the service demands integrated service models, processes and procedures have been developed.

Members were provided with a presentation under the following headings which gave an overview of what support was provided by each service area:

·         Integrated wellbeing support Service – Returning to School;

·         Resilient  Families  Service;

·         AWS – Service Changes;

·         Access & Inclusion Service Wellbeing Support;

·         Children Looked After Service

 In relation to the Integrated Wellbeing Support Service Members were informed by the Children & Young People Service Manager of the processes that were in place when schools identify pupils not attending due to anxieties around Covid , and how they interface  with work carried out by the Attendance and Wellbeing Service and the YEPS Service The objective of the pathways is  to ensure that  pupil’s needs are addressed to assist them to return and remain in school  and it  highlighted the support given to pupils to help them overcome their anxieties and fears in re-engaging  to the educational environment.

A Member praised the work of the service and asked whether there were any pupils who hadn’t returned to school despite this support and intervention. A request was made for data on these numbers for the Committee.

It was explained that all processes are put in place to encourage and support pupils to go back to school. However, despite the best efforts of the service there are a number of pupils who haven’t returned to school or education for many reasons.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

To reflect on the meeting and actions to be taken forward.

The Chair thanked the Committee for all their hard work throughout the year and informed the of the next meeting. Before for closing the meeting the Chair wished both Members and Office a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

To consider any items, which the Chairman, by reason of special circumstances, is of the opinion should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency

There was no urgent business to consider.