Agenda and minutes

The Minutes of the meeting held on 10 June 2019 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

The Board was advised that no public questions had been received.

The Board received a report from the Strategic Director – People, which presented the findings of the recent Joint Targeted Area Inspection (JTAI) of multi-agency response to child exploitation in Halton and its recommendations.

It was reported that the inspection took place between 8 and 12 July 2019 and was conducted by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), HMI Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and HMI Probation (HMIP).  They undertook a targeted inspection of the multi-agency response to children experiencing or at risk of exploitation, including sexual and criminal exploitation in Halton.

It was noted, that as with the Ofsted Focused Visit in July 2019, the Inspectorates involved did not make a judgement from the JTAI, but provided a narrative letter setting out their findings; outlining strengths and setting out the areas for improvement.  This letter was appended to the report. 

Officers outlined the draft action list prepared in response to the inspection and it was noted that each action would be overseen by its own designated lead officer.

Further to Member’s queries the following was noted:

·       The participation of each agency when considering the cases would now be documented, including conversations, to promote consistency, transparency and assist with arrangements with regards to the next steps;

·       It was acknowledged that a common language needed to be used in all  boroughs and agencies; so that the same terminology was used across the board; and

·       An explanation on contextual safeguarding and what difference it would make to practice and outcomes was requested.  This information would be provided later to the Board via email as the reporting Officer was unavailable.

RESOLVED:  that the Board notes the findings of the JTAI and the requirement to prepare a written statement of proposed action by 2 December 2019.

The Board received a report from the Strategic Director – People, which provided the annual update of the educational outcomes for Halton’s children for 2018-19.

It was noted that the data quoted in the report was provisional and unvalidated and therefore subject to change.  The validated national results would not be available until the publication of the DfE statistical first releases.

The report provided Members with details and supporting commentary of attainment outcomes for Halton’s Boroughwide performance in the following:

a)    The Good Level of Development indicator (GLD);

b)    Phonics results at the end of Year One and the end of Key Stage One;

c)     Key Stage One Reading; Writing and Maths attainment;

d)    Key Stage Two Reading; Writing; Maths; Read Write Maths combined and Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling;

e)    GCSE performance grades 9-4 and 9-5; and

f)      A Level and vocational qualification performance.

The following points were noted / queried by Members:

·       GCSE maths grade boundaries had changed this year, this had affected lots of schools – Officers would receive more detail from schools regarding this to enable a closer analysis;

·       There were particular schools that were struggling with early years goals in reading, however overall early years had shown improvements which was welcomed by Members;

·       A deep dive into maths strategies was planned for the future, Members asked about the programmes schools were using;

·       ‘A’ Level pass results in the Borough were above provisional national passes, many students achieved these in the College;

·       The need to raise the aspirations of pupils was acknowledged;

·       It would be helpful if the attainment results were shared with school governors – a briefing for governors was being held next week where this would happen; and

·       Head teachers were obliged to share information with their governors however, it was commented that governors needed to know what questions to ask them.  A list of questions had been compiled previously regarding Early Years, so this could be extended to include wider performance areas.

RESOLVED:  That the information and comments made be noted.

The Board received the Performance Management reports for quarter 4 of 2018-19 (1 October 2018 to 31 December 2018).  It was noted that these were sent to Members via email on 28 June 2019.

The reports detailed progress made against objectives and milestones and performance targets and provided information relating to key developments and emerging issues that had arisen during the period.

Officers provided the highlights of the report to Members.  With regards to the ‘High Level Strategic Planning Review’ undertaken by Peopletoo and with regards to Phase 2, Members requested to receive updates from the meetings being held for scrutiny purposes.   It was agreed that this could be done via the task and finish group already set up, and that notes could be shared confidentially with the Chair and Vice Chair. 

The Chair requested further details on PED02 01 (page 42) – in relation to the different themes that had been identified through the audit process and could they be shared regularly with the Board.  This information would be provided later to Members via email.

RESOLVED:  That the quarter 4 2018-19 performance management reports be received.

The Board received the Performance Management reports for quarter 1 of 2019-20 (1 April 2019 to 30 June 2019).  Members were requested to consider and raise any questions or points of clarification in respect of these. 

It was noted that the key priorities for development or improvement in 2018-19 were agreed by Members and included in the Local Authority’s Business Plan, for the various functional areas reported to the Board as follows:

·       Education, Inclusion and Provision Services; and

·       Children and Families Services.

The reports detailed progress made against objectives and milestones and performance targets and provided information relating to key developments and emerging issues that had arisen during the period.

It was announced that the development of Halton Learning Alliance would be shared at the next governors’ conference and that the SEND Commissioner funded by Schools Forum had already been instrumental in improving practice and improving efficiency.

RESOLVED:  That the quarter 1 performance management reports be received.