Agenda and minutes

Resolved:- That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 4^th November, 2009 be approved as a correct record.

Catherine Ratcliffe, report author

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Strategic Leader, Attendance and Parenting, concerning the parenting strategy, the aim of which is to make sure that every parent in Rotherham has the confidence and skills they need to give their child the best possible start in life.

The report stated that the strategy is a working document highlighting progress and priorities to date. Plans are being developed through the multi-agency strategy steering group which will be enhanced by the inclusion of parents to ensure that parents have a voice and may influence the work of all stakeholders in the delivery of parenting services. The Rotherham Parenting Strategy document was appended to the report submitted.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the Rotherham Parenting Strategy, as now submitted, be approved.

Gary Walsh and Phil Morris, report authors

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Joint Agencies Information Sharing Officer (Children and Young People’s Services) concerning the Rotherham Overarching Information Sharing Protocol which provides a framework that promotes and enables partner organisations in Rotherham, specifically those working with children, young people and their families to use best practice, processes and decision making when sharing information. The protocol places the service user and their families at the centre of how their information is processed in line with their rights to privacy and confidentiality, whilst promoting welfare and safeguarding through appropriate sharing of information. 

The protocol was originally approved by the Children’s Board in November 2007 and has been revised and updated to take account of recent legislation, best practice guidance and widening participation from partner organisations.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received.

(2) That the report be referred to the Children’s Board for further consideration.

Julie Westwood, report author

Further to Minute No. 47 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Children and Young People’s Services held on 9th September, 2009, consideration was given to a report presented by the Director of Resources, Planning and Performance concerning the Children and Young People’s Services’ Improvement Plan summary.  Members noted that detailed regular monitoring takes place against a number of actions across several themes.

The report stated that the full improvement plan has been formatted to ensure accuracy in tracking the achievements made in the monitoring period and the calculation of actions completed. 

Members also considered the highlight report for October, 2009.  This report detailed the items achieved during that month, overdue items and the items planned for the forthcoming month. Risks and Issues of concerns were also illustrated. 

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the progress being made with the Children and Young People’s Services’ Improvement Plan, as now reported, be noted.

Julie Westwood and Robert Campbell, report authors

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Performance Management Officer outlining the performance of the Children and Young People’s Services’ Directorate at the end of the second quarter 2009/10 (September 2009). The report and accompanying appendices provided analysis against targets, direction of travel against previous performance and where possible comparisons with statistical neighbour and national data. Discussion took place on the arrangements for performance clinics.

Resolved:- (1) That the report and accompanying Assessment and table be received and their contents noted.

(2) That the arrangements for the performance clinics, as detailed in the report now submitted, be approved.

David Light, report author

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Head of School Effectiveness stating that, during 2008/2009 the Local Authority responded to significant and increasing challenges to its provision for children and young people arriving in Rotherham, principally from the newly incorporated European Economic Community countries, by fundamentally reorganising its services to this most vulnerable of groups. The report provided an assessment of progress in relation to this strategy approximately two terms into its inception.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the progress made in the introduction of the ‘Welcome Offer’ in the context of schools and the Local Authority meeting the needs of this group of pupils be noted.

(3) That the work of schools in continuing to develop their provision to address the needs of these acutely vulnerable pupils and their families be endorsed.

(4) That the good work of the Vulnerable Groups Team in this important area be recognised.

(5) That a further interim assessment be submitted to the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Children and Young People’s Services before the end of the 2009/2010 school year.

Adrian Hobson, report author

Further to Minute No. 132 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Children and Young People’s Services held on 26th March, 2008, consideration was given to a report presented by the Director of Resources, Planning and Performance concerning the commissioning strategy and application process for the procurement of activity supporting the Children’s Fund preventative services priorities. The submitted report provided details of the performance of those commissioned services both in terms of spend to profile and achievement of agreed impact measures.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the information on the outcomes of the first full year of the current Children’s Fund allocations be noted.

Claire Sneath, report author

Further to Minute No. 63 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Children and Young People’s Services held on 21st October, 2009, consideration was given to a report presented by the Lead Adviser, School Effectiveness Service concerning the national ‘Extra Mile’ project which was being funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families to try and raise the attainment of children from disadvantaged backgrounds. The report detailed the background, progress to date and initial recommendations of the project.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the gap in attainment between pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers, at all key stages, be noted.

(3) That the drive to encourage all schools to narrow the gap by addressing the needs of vulnerable pupils and their families be endorsed.

(4) That the work of the project group which aims to improve future outcomes in the academic attainment of children from disadvantaged backgrounds be acknowledged.