Agenda and minutes

To welcome Members and receive any apologies for absence

The Chair Welcomed Members and Officers to the meeting of the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee.  The Chair also Welcomed Officer from Estyn who observing the meeting this evening.

Apologies were received from County Borough Councillor S Evans, M Powell, S Powell.

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.

To receive the minutes of the previous meeting of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee held on 13^th January 2021

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 13^th January 2021 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

To consider the work of the Central South Consortium (CSC) in raising standards within schools in  Rhondda Cynon Taf

The Chair welcomed Officers from the Central South Consortium and asked the Managing Director to introduce Officer to the Committee before presenting the report.

After introductions the Managing Director Central South Consortium informed Members that the purpose of the report is to update Members with the contribution of the Central South Consortium (CSC) and Rhondda Cynon Taf Local Authority to raising standards in schools across the RCT from April 2019 – September 2020.

The Managing Director CSC explained that this report details the work of the consortium for the academic year September 2019-2020 and the financial year April 2019 – April 2020. It was highlighted that the global pandemic caused schools to be repurposed in March 2020, requiring CSC to amend its approach to supporting schools.

The Officer continued and informed Members of its Business Plan and the following six priorities:

·         Develop a high- quality education profession

·         Develop inspirational leaders to facilitate working collaboratively to raise standards;

·         Develop strong and inclusive schools committed to wellbeing , equity and excellence;

·         Develop robust assessment, evaluation and accountability arrangements, supporting self-improving systems;

·         Provide professional learning (PL) opportunities to support the Curriculum for Wales;

·         Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of CSC.

Members were presented with an overview of the progress made against each of the above objectives in respect of schools in Rhondda Cynon Taf and this was detailed within the report.

With regards to comparative data the Managing Director CSC reminded Members of the Ministers statement of the 3 July 2020 which was that the cancellation of the 2020 summer examinations due to the pandemic and that performance measures would not be published. That decision related to  all school and post -16 performance measures.

The Managing Director Central South Consortium continued and informed Members of the Central South Consortium’s position, it was highlighted that it is important to note and understand that following Welsh Government’s suspension of statutory data collection and publication of outcomes for 2019-20 and 2020-21, there will be a reduction in analysis available within CSC. However schools will have their own internal systems for tracking and analysing pupil performance /outcomes and whist there is no expectation that schools will need to provide this information to CSC IPs for accountability reasons, a range of questions may still be used by colleagues in discussion with school leaders to inform CSC support for school improvement and partnership working in 2020-21.

Members were also provided with an overview of the challenge and support that had been provided by the consortium before and during lockdown on behalf of RCT some of which are:

·         In 2019-20, RCT LA £1,014,176 towards the core functions of the consortium. In addition to the core costs of the consortium, this has provided funding for 15 IPs (6.96 FTE) plus support from Accelerated Progress Leads (0.23 FTE) effective from September 2018 and Principal Improvement Partners (PIPs) (2 FTE).

·         Estyn suspended their inspection activity in March 2020. Eight schools were inspected during 2019-20 (Ty Gwyn Education Centre, Caradog Primary, Porth Community, Ynysboeth  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

To receive a report in respect of the current provision of the childcare sector in RCT   

The Temporary Service Director 21^st Century Schools and Transformation provided Members of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee with an update on the current position of the childcare sector in RCT and the support that has been offered by the Education and Inclusion Services.

The Officer explained that Section 22 of the Childcare Act 2006 (the 2006 Act) places a duty on the Council to secure ‘as far as is reasonably practicable’ sufficient childcare to meet the requirements of parents in its area who require

Childcare to enable them to take up, or remain in work, or to undertake education or training which could reasonably be expected to assist them to obtain work.

It was explained that the Council has a dedicated childcare development team to support all childcare settings within RCT. The team provides guidance and training along with administrating a grant scheme.

The Officer explained that the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the childcare sector across Wales has been significant and the Council is incredibly proud of all the Childcare providers in RCT who have continued to deliver safe , quality care for children and their families throughout the last year in a professional and compassionate manner.

The Temporary Service Director 21^st Century Schools and Transformation updated Members on the effects of the pandemic. It was explained that data from Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) suggests that 18 registered settings permanently closed in RCT during the last year, the vast majority of these being childminders and those that remain have adapted their settings physically to comply with protective and preventative measures required.

Officers explained that in response to the national lockdown in March, Welsh Government instructed all childcare settings in Wales to close for all children , other than for those who were deemed vulnerable or of critical workers .  Members acknowledged that Welsh Government established the Coronavirus Childcare Assistance Scheme. This provided eligible children aged from birth to four years with fully funded childcare if there were no other caring options available to the families. The Education and Inclusion Services childcare team took lead in this scheme with support from the Resilient Families Service. It was highlighted that 717 children accessed the scheme from March to August 2020, including 95 vulnerable children. 102 childcare settings participated in the scheme at various points including three council run Flying Start setting.

Members were provided with a summary of the support under the following headings:

·         Guidance and Support;

·         Stakeholder feedback from the sector;

·         PPE Provision;

·         Financial Support;

·         Positive Covid-19 Cases – Impact on Setting;and

·         Attendance of children at childcare settings;

The Chair thanked the Officer for the Report and opened up the meeting for Members questions and observations.

 Members asked clarity in respect of communication with the childcare settings as he was aware that some parents were having issues relating to contacting the Resilient Families Services. Officers explained that there had not been any issues with regards to accessing the childcare settings however Resilient Families Service is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

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

The Chair thanked Officers and Members for their contribution to the meeting and reminded Members that the next meeting would take place on the 3^rd March 2021 where the Child and Adolesent Mental Health Service would be in attendance to provide an overview of the service.