Agenda and minutes

To Weclome Members and Officer to the meeting of the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee & to receive any  apologies

The Vice Chair Councillor J Edwards explained to Members that she would be Chairing the Committee this evening due to the Chair having work commitments. The Vice Chair read a statement out from Councillor Rees – Owen thanking Members and Officers for all their hard work throughout the year which been challenging due to the Pandemic.

Apologies were received from County Borough Councillors S. Rees Owen, S Evans, H Fychan and G. Stacey.

The Chair explained to Members of the Committee that Agenda Item 7 would not be presented at this evenings meeting due to unforeseen circumstances, it was explained that the report would be presented at a future meeting in the next Municipal Year.

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 3^rd February 2021 and 24^th February 2021

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 03/02/2021 and 24/02/2021 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

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

The Senior Democratic Services Officer referenced the consultation links, which were available through the ‘RCT Scrutiny’ website.  The Officer 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 consider the report of the Director of Education  in respect of the most recent changes in Education during the spring term in response to the ever-changing COVID-19 position.

The Director of Education and Inclusion Services thanked Members for the opportunity to provide an update on the most recent changes in Education during the spring term in response to the ever changing COVID-19 position.

The Director of Education reminded Members of the previous actions taken by the Welsh Government and continued to explain that on the 5^th February, the Education Minister announced that schools would begin a phased return for foundation phase from 22^nd February. Learners in nursery, Year1 and Year 2 were able to return to their school setting by the end of that week.

Members were informed that on the 3^rd March, the Education Minister announced that further year groups would be able to return to school from the 15^th March. The Director of Education explained that the following arrangements applied to all schools in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

·         All foundation phase learners (i.e., nursery, reception, Year 1 and Year 2) continued to attend school throughout the phased introduction of new year groups back in to school.

·         Arrangements for the phased return of learners in Key Stage 2 (i.e., Years 3, 4, 5 and 6) commenced on the 15^th of March 2021.

·         Arrangements for the phased return of learners in Years 11 and 13 commenced on the 15^th of March 2021.

·         Flexibility was offered to secondary schools, all-through schools and PRUs to provide access to the onsite education provision for learners in Years 10 and 12 from the 15th of March 2021 onwards.

·         Learners in Years 7, 8 and 9 were to access at least one check-in on school premises prior to the Easter break.

·         Vulnerable learners and the children of critical workers continued to access face to face education in school until their year group returned to school.

·         Remote learning continued to be provided for self-isolating learners and those year groups not accessing face to face learning in school.

Members were presented with an overview of the remote learning within the County Borough. It was explained that schools across Rhondda Cynon Taf have implemented a variety of remote learning options and opportunities and with support from the Council’s school improvement officers. CSC has also provided comprehensive professional learning opportunities.

The Director of Education and Inclusion Services also updated Members on the work that has been carried out to ensure no learner is digitally excluded.

It was explained that from the start of the pandemic, digitally excluded learners who did not have access to an appropriate internet connected device and/or internet connection have been supported with devices to engage in online learning activities. The Director highlighted that an audit of digitally excluded learners was refreshed this academic year to identify any new families that have moved into the area or were experiencing challenges in accessing education remotely. Data showed at total of 2,868 devices were provided to DELs in 2019/2020 academic year and a further 2,570 were provided to newly identified DELs in NCY 1 – 13 between January 2021 and March  ...  view the full minutes text for item 84.

To receive a report from the Director of Children’s Service in relation to the COVID -19 Pandemic

The Director of Children’s Services thanked Members for the opportunity to provide the Committee with an overview of the response by Children’s Services to the continuing impact of the pandemic, recovery and contingency planning.

The Director of Children’s Services reminded Members of the previous reports Members have received in recent months and continued to explain that since December the service has moved forward with some focussed improvement and development work during this period and is beginning to respond to the adjustments to restrictions at the exit of the lockdown.

The Director continued to highlight that there continues to be uncertainty about the specific mid and long term impact of the Pandemic for vulnerable families, however given the rate of referrals and the conditions families face which in many cases are understood to compound adversity, the service is sadly projecting increasing demand, whilst working to connect as many families as possible to early help or preventative services.

The Director provided an overview for Members to get a better understand of the Service areas under the following headings:

·         Children’s Services Critical Approach;

·         How Are we Doing;

·         Service Improvement;

Members were also provided with information in respect of critical business services which include:

·         Access to Services and Family Support;

·         Safeguarding Duties;

·         Children Looked After; and

·         Youth Offending

After concluding her report the Director welcomed Members questions and observations.

 A Member thanked the officer for her report and asked for clarity in relation to 4.7 of the report that Children’s Services have terminated the commissioned external resources to increase social work capacity in the Intensive Intervention Service. Also the Member reference section 5 of the report and wanted to understand the reason behind the decrease in new child protection registrations as there is an increase in domestic violence which would surely effect the safety and wellbeing of children.

In response the Director explained that social work vacancies and retention has been a problem across the region and the Authority had commissioned outside agencies to increase capacity, this had worked in the initial stages however the provider could not continue to provide a  good enough service and therefore the contract had ended. Recruitment is a challenge and work is being carried to address this at present.

With regards to the Child Protection Register the Director informed the Member of the processes that are in place. It was explained that there is a 10% increase at the front door and some with complex issues. It was also explained that not all cases end up on the register as there are care and support packages that are put in place to support families and this may be enough support and placing on the Child Protection Register would not always be necessary. However we will need to keep a close eye going forward.

Other Members put forward questions regarding care l leavers’ and what support would be provided the service for care leavers especially in the situation were are in at present, also questions were raised over data  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85.

To receive an overview from Youth Engagement and Participation Service in respect of the Support and Provision during Covid -19”

Members RESOLVED to defer the item to a future meeting of the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee.

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

The Chair thanked Members and Officer for participating in the Meeting and wished them well.

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

Resolved to note there was no urgent items.