Agenda and minutes

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meeting held on the 10th October, 2006 be received as a correct record.

The Senior Head of Service reported on the content of a paper which summarised the need for organisational change arising from the Government Green Paper, Youth Matters and from the implications of the break up of the Connexions South Yorkshire Partnership.

The paper also set out proposed revisions to the existing Young People’s Services as a response to the need for change.

The paper submitted set out :-

(a) the main proposals of the Green Paper including Children’s Trust arrangements;

(b) implications of the proposals for Connexions and future funding/managing of Connexions;

(c) the statutory duties on local authorities to provide services for young people, involving the new arrangements needed for the delivery of Connexions Services and the need to integrate these services more fully with other services to young people in line with the green paper proposals;

(d) the consultation process to consider the various options on how to achieve the integration process;

(e) development of a “Youth Offer” to young people using the findings of the consultation;

(f) proposed interim management arrangements and organisational structure;

(g) the benefits of an integrated Connexions and Youth Services and core functions of the new arrangements;

(h) governance arrangements.

The paper submitted also set out the funding situation, and risks/uncertainties involved.

Comments on the contents of the paper made reference to :-

-          involvement of Scrutiny in the governance arrangements

-          implications for existing staff as a result of termination of the current Connexions Deed

-          Looked After Children and the need to ensure that the new proposals include appropriate and necessary support for them

-          the need to include scrutiny in the timetable of key dates for the Transition Plan

-          with regard to the base budget for Young People’s Services, provision needs to be clarified along with the external monies strategy and the targeting of needs

-          progressing of the items at status red in the Transition Plan

-          interaction of the various partners and agencies to provide effective services

Resolved:- (1) That exemption from the tendering process until September 2007 for the Connexions contracts, under Paragraph 35 Chapter 1 Part IV Contract Standing Orders, be approved.

(2) That the development of a “Youth Offer” for Rotherham be in accordance with Green Paper proposals.

(3) That the YPS base budget is committed to the provision of universal services for all young people across RMBC and that external monies are targeted according to greatest need.

(4) That a revision to the management of existing services on an interim basis to include the current Young People’s Services and the management of the Connexions contracts be noted, these integrated services to be known as Young People’s Services.

(5) That the interim management and organisational structure required for the revised arrangements as set out in Appendix 1 of the report be approved.

(6) That the current version of the Connexions Transition Plan that has been approved by Government Office set out in Appendix 2 of the report be noted.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.

The Service Accountant reported on expenditure, income and the net budget provision for the Children and Young People’s Service compared to the phased budgets for the period ending 30th September 2006 and the projected year end outturn position.

The report indicates a forecast underspend of £180k for 2006/07, which will be used to mitigate the overall forecast overspend for the Council.

Resolved:- That the current forecast underspend of £180,000 for the Programme Area based on actual costs and income to 30th September, 2006 and forecast costs and income to 31st March, 2007 be noted.

The Service Accountant reported on the levels of School Balances as at the end of March 2006 and how they compare with previous years.

The report submitted also set out how the schools with balances in excess of 5% (secondary schools) and 8% (primary schools) at the end of 2005/06 intend to use these balances.

Appendix 1 to the report submitted shows the movement in School Balances by phase as a percentage of delegated budget and Appendix 2 to the report shows an analysis of school balances including details of the highest and lowest levels of balances by school phase.

Appendix 3 shows how schools with surplus balances in excess of 8% have advised how they plan to utilise these balances.

It was noted that Rotherham Primary School balances have reduced from 4.6% to 3.6% of delegated budgets from 2004/05 to 2005/06 and Rotherham Secondary School balances have reduced from 1.4% to 0.4% of delegated budgets from 2004/05 to 2005/06.

Rotherham Special School balances have reduced from 7.4% to 7.1% of delegated budgets from 2004/05 to 2005/06.

Overall balances have reduced from 3.3% to 2.4% of delegated budgets from 2004/05 to 2005/06 or to 2.1% if adjusted to exclude Early Excellence Centre balances. The situation in respect of Early Excellence Centre funding was outlined.

Particular discussion took place on the flexibility regarding the levels of surplus balances retained by schools, Rotherham following national guidance.

Resolved:- (a) That the levels and planned use of balances be noted.

(b) That the Schools Finance Team continue to work closely with those schools needing support to develop their financial management skills.

The Service Manager, Looked After Children’s Resources, reported on the processes in place to monitor the results and progress of all Looked After Young People and Care Leavers in respect of Post 16 education and provided Members with information on 2005/06 achievements.

The report submitted set out the  monitoring in place, it being highlighted that Transition meetings have been established between the Get Real Team, N.C.H. (Bridges) Team and Lifetime Careers. These meetings take place three times per year and ensure that one or more service is involved or aware of the progress and destination of all 15-19 year olds who are Looked After or Care Leavers, ensuring that no person is left unsupported in their transition to adulthood.

The report also set out the examination achievements of Looked After Children in 2005/06 and the current position in the 16-18 year old age group and 18 to 20 year old age group.

Also reported was the situation of 24 young people not currently engaged in education, employment and training.

Particular discussion took place on the latter situation, clarifying the support available to them.

The meeting was informed of what happens to care leavers, with regular updates being reported to the Looked After Children Scrutiny Sub-Panel.

Reference was made to Performance Indicators relating to Post 16 qualifications obtained by Looked After Young People, Rotherham performing well compared nationally.

Resolved:- (a) That the report be received and submitted to the Children and Young People’s Services Scrutiny Panel.

(b) That further reports be submitted, both to this meeting and to the Scrutiny Panel, on a bi-annual basis.

The Principal Officer, Forward Planning, submitted a report which gave the update to the School Organisation Plan 2003/04 to 2007/08.

The update, of actual pupil numbers, offers the opportunity to consider the effectiveness of pupil number forecasting and to review the position in respect of published performance indicators.

A list of the statutory changes which have taken place during the life of the current plan was included in the update.

It was noted that statutory proposals, which have come into effect since the publication of the full plan, have ensured that, together with other measures, performance indicator figures have remained within an acceptable range and that the targets set for 2007/08 remain attainable.

Particular discussion took place on the development of numbers at secondary schools and the implications for them should the numbers differ greatly as at Maltby ComprehensiveSchool. The reasons for this were reported.

Discussion also took place on the implications of school numbers for housing and education issues, due to the influx of migrant workers.

Resolved:- (a) That the 3rd update to the School Organisation Plan 2003/04 to 2007/08 be received.

(b) That the update be placed on the Council’s website and all original consultees informed accordingly.

(c) That a report be submitted to a future meeting on the implications of school numbers on education resources due to the influx of migrant workers.

The Project Manager reported that Electronic Social Care Records is a Department of Health requirement for all existing and future social care case files to be stored and used electronically. This will require an additional IT solution in the form of an Electronic Document and Records Management System that will link with SWIFT.

The Department of Health target dates for implementation were set out in the report submitted.

There were delays in implementing ESCR and meeting the DoH target dates, this was as a result of the absence of capital funding to procure and implement the system. Capital funding of 761k has now been secured through a bid to the Council’s strategic capital investment programme. This has enabled work on ESCR to be reinstated and work has already begun towards a preferred supplier. Full implementation should now be completed by late 2007.

The implementation of ESCR will impact significantly on frontline social workers and managers in terms of working procedures, processes and practice for recording and retrieving information on social care cases.

Resolved:- (a) That the report be received and the requirements of Electronic Social Care Records and the progress being made be noted.

(b) That a further update be provided to a future meeting along with an Action Plan for future development and involvement of other departments with the system.

The IS Index Project Manager reported on the introduction of the National Information Sharing Index to support the Every Child Matters agenda.

The information sharing index will be a tool that enables practitioners delivering services to children to identify and contact one another easily and quickly, so they can share relevant information about children who  need services. It will be a national index, allowing practitioners in Rotherham to access basic information on all children and young people in England.

The index is a key  element of the Every Child Matters : Change for Children programme to transform children’s services by supporting more effective prevention and early intervention by improving information sharing among practitioners and supporting multi-agency working.

It will enable children and young people to receive the universal services they are entitled to and any additional services they require, at the earliest opportunity.

Authorised practitioners in children’s services, including education, health, social care, youth offending and some voluntary services will have access to the index.

Over the next 15 months Rotherham Children and Young People’s Services will have to complete and submit 5 Readiness Assessments to the National Implementation team. The first Readiness Assessment was submitted in August 2006, and provided a baseline of our current position. In addition monthly status reports will have to be submitted to the DfES from October 2006 through to the completion of the project.

The grant funding for the project was set out in the report submitted as were the risks which had been identified.

Resolved:- (a) That Rotherham MBC is responsible for implementing the IS Index within our local authority area and on behalf of our local partners.

(b) That the Cabinet Member for Children’s and Young People’s Services be informed of project progress on a regular basis as part of a broader programme of project updates.

(c) That the Children’s Strategic Partnership and Children’s Board be informed of the project, progress on implementation and ensure commitment to the project from key partners, as part of a broader programme of project updates.

The Head of Service reported that during May 2006, Rotherham Youth Offending Services had been subject to a joint inspection comprising Her Majesties Inspectorate of Probation, Health Care Commission, OFSTED and CSCI. The Inspection Report was published on 27 September, and focussed on 5 core areas of work for Youth Offending Services, noting areas of strength and areas for improvement in each. A score of 1 to 4 was given for each of the five areas – a score of 4 was classed as excellent.

The scores for the five core areas inspected were :-

Management                                                                                                              4

Work in the courts                                                                                                     3

Work with children and young people in the community                                           3

Work with children and young people subject to Detention Training Orders           3

Victims and restorative justice                                                                                  3

The report submitted set out the main findings and recommendations in respect of each core area.

Resolved:- (a) That the Inspection report and its findings be received and noted with pleasure.

(b) That a letter be sent to the Head of Service and staff concerned congratulating them on the outcome of the inspection report.

The Head of Planning, Information and Performance submitted a report on the outcome of the Joint Area Review of the Children and Young People’s Services which took place in May/June 2006.

The report set out the grades awarded for each area inspected, recommendations for immediate action, action over the next six months and for action in the longer term.

Although the results are good and there are very few recommendations, the Authority has made a firm commitment to broader improvements and have used the detail of the grade descriptors to develop a Grade 4 Plan. Work is being undertaken towards achieving this, some of which may be medium to longer term. However, the rule of thumb is that the grade can be achieved if at least 80% of the descriptors can be met and evidenced. It may therefore be possible to achieve improved grades in some of the outcome areas in time for the 2007 Annual Performance Assessment. The Inspection recommendations will be implemented within the required timescales and work is already ongoing as these areas for improvement had been identified in the self assessment.

Resolved:- (a) That the report be received and its content noted.

(b) That the Action Plan being processed to develop a Grade 4 Plan be submitted to the Cabinet Members meeting scheduled for the 12th December, 2006.