Children's Services Select Committee 21-04-05 minutes

62. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 17 March 2005 were confirmed.

63. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations made at this stage.

64. FORWARD PLAN

The Head of Select Committee and Review Team indicated that the only item of relevance to the Select Committee that he was aware of related school organisation which was to be considered by the Executive on 1 June 2005.

65. QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT REPORT – QUARTER 2 2004-05

The Select Committee was reminded that consideration of the Quarterly Performance Management Report for the period 1 October to 31 December 2004 had been deferred from the previous meeting.

A new area to watch related to progress being made with cluster working. It was noted that there was to be a conference involving Heads and the LEA on 17 May 2005. This was part of the ongoing evaluation of the effectiveness of cluster working and sharing of best practice.

Members raised concerns over the educational performance of looked after children. Officers indicated that figures were volatile due to the size of the cohort and there was a need to aware that this category included a number of children with complex learning and behaviour difficulties. The Head of Pupil Services suggested that information could be included in the QPMR report so to enable members to have an outline profile of the children involved. There was also a need for an added value indicator so that attainment across a wide range of social, academic and vocational skills could be clearly demonstrated.

The Select Committee was advised that the 2005 indicative target ranges for each High School had been agreed for GCSE results. Based on the Key Stage results of the cohort concerned this should give a minimum of 52% 5 A*-C and maximum of 60%.

Members were pleased to note that the implementation of Extended School status on the Island had been praised by the DfES and been highlighted as best practice in the South East region. The Education Service had also retained its 2 star rating with ongoing evidence of further improvements.

The Portfolio Holder referred to the establishment of a Corporate Parenting Panel. This was to meet on 3 May 2005 and it was proposed that up to 6 members would serve on it.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE HEAD OF CHILDREN’S SERVICES

(a) A briefing paper be sent to members of the Select Committee on the Council’s performance on the average gross weekly expenditure overall for Looked after Children Service in foster or residential care and the spilt for each.

(b) The inclusion of anonymous profiles of Looked After Children be investigated so that a better understanding of their attainments can be achieved.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE HEAD OF DEMOCRATIC AND LEGAL SERVICES

Up to six members be appointed to serve on the Corporate Parenting Panel.

66. TEACHER EXIT SURVEY

The Chairman welcomed Mr David Porter, a representative of the IW Teachers Council, to the meeting for this item.

The Select Committee was informed that this matter had been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Joyce. The Teacher Exit Survey had been considered by the IW Teachers Council at its meeting on 4 March 2005.

Mr Porter explained the background to the survey, which was administered by the Education Personnel Section. This followed on from a survey undertaken in 2001 on teacher recruitment and retention. The results of the latest survey highlighted that the main cause given by teachers leaving was due to relationship problems with Heads, Senior Management, line managers or colleagues. However many of the moves were made to other island schools.

Workloads was another major reason given for leaving. Mr Porter referred to the Health and Safety Improvement notice served upon the Council and the application of a stress filter tool. He believed that schools should have taken action on this by 31 March 2005. Although this matter had been raised by Health and Safety Liaison Officers in November 2004 it was not until 23 March 2005 that Heads had been requested to commence to appropriate processes. Mr Porter believed that health and safety at schools was also a responsibility of the LEA. He also acknowledged that School Governing Bodies could be more effective and at times there appeared to be a lack of communication between relevant parties.

Mr Porter raised issues relating to class size and pupil behaviour and difficulties in staff being released from teaching duties to attend training. The use of supply staff to cover for absence due to stress related illness was a frequent occurrence. He also indicated the wish of the IW Teachers Council to have more direct contact with elected members at such meetings.

The Select Committee was advised by the Head of Planning and Resources that there were some limitations to the data arising from the survey. All Governing Bodies should have a policy on stress management either by adopting the Council’s own policy or basing it on this. The Health and Safety Improvement notice primarily related to the provision of a training package for senior managers. The stress filter tool was one element of a range of issue covered.

It was proposed that assistance would be offered to the IW Teachers Council in compiling the questions for the next survey. This would help in developing the survey so that the data produced could be more focussed.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE HEAD OF SELECT COMMITTEE AND REVIEW TEAM

A copy of the report considered by the Select Committee be sent to all Heads and Chairs of Governing Bodies and that they be advised that the survey will be revisited by the IW Teachers Council and the LEA so to improve the qualitative information received when the next survey is undertaken.

67. SEN TASK GROUP

The Select Committee received a copy of the specialist legal advice sought from David Ruebain of Levenes following the five questions agreed at the meeting on 7 December 2004. The Chairman of the SEN Task Group, Mr Joyce, was invited to update members on its work. He indicated that the Task Group had concentrated its efforts on the statementing process. The advice given on the content of advice received from partners involved in the process had been useful. Some further information was being sought by Mr Joyce in relation to this which would enable the Task Group to formulate appropriate recommendations to the Portfolio Holder.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE HEAD OF SELECT COMMITTEE AND REVIEW TEAM

A meeting of the SEN Task Group be held following receipt of the required information so that its views of the statementing process can be reported back to the Select Committee.

68. WORK OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE

The Chairman invited Mr Richard Wright a reporter from the IW County Press to comment on the Select Committee process. Mr Wright indicated that he would welcome the opportunity to work more closely with Select Committees following the elections. The press could play a role in helping to engage the public in a better understanding of the process and involvement in some of the topics being discussed.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE HEAD OF SELECT COMMITTEE AND REVIEW TEAM

The press be invited to the member induction session on overview and scrutiny so that they can comment on the role that it can play.

69. MEMBERS’ QUESTION TIME

Mr C R Hancock raised concerns expressed by the IW Youth Justice Forum on the lack of provision for young people during school holidays. The Strategic Director referred to proposed changes that may be made nationally to the framework of youth service and the link with the establishment of Children’s Trusts. The Portfolio Holder also gave an update on the provision of Children’s Centres.

CHAIRMAN