Paul Ballatt introduced the report and explained that there would be more data included which would be relevant to the thematic meetings as part of the Panel’s agreed 2015/16 work programme.

Councillor Agatha Akyigyina expressed her concern about the red status on a number of the performance indicators and enquired about the possibility of monitoring school standards data throughout the year at each panel meeting. Yvette Stanley explained that the department are only able to provide an annual data set but that other associated data regarding school standards is received and monitored by the schools standards committee and the Children’s Trust board.Paul Ballatt drew the Panel’s attention to some of the indicators that are relevant re school standards on the data set it receives at each meeting. He added that the data is benchmarked on an annual basis and that this year’s results are due to be received by the Panel in February 2016 which will provide performance of Merton’s schools and benchmarking information where available.

Councillor Jeff Hanna expressed his concerns at underperformance against some of the indicators and asked if the narrative in the report needed to be clear regarding the circumstances surrounding this e.g. against stability of placements for children in care and also on the percentage of children in care participating in reviews. He added that this should not be a prompt to criticise  social workers. He  asked why some children do not attend their reviews. Paul Angeli explained that the attendance at a review is often beyond the department’s control. The department are looking into why children are not attending their reviews. It is older teens that tend to be absent. An alternative may be to have the young person chairing their review encouraging them to participate and shape the services they receive.

Paul Angeli informed the Panel that placement changes are reviewed constantly and issues reported to the corporate parenting panel. The council have also established a new team that deals with  permanency and ensures young people have long term support through a stable social work team. The team are tracking all cases in which concerns have been expressed about the placement. One of the possible causes for the lack of  stability of placements can be down to the fact that there are a lot of older children who are looked after and there can be particularly complex and challenging behaviour. 

Councillor Joan Henry asked about BME pupil exclusion rates. Yvette Stanley explained that these would not be ready until spring 2016.

Councillor Charlie Chirico asked if all school places were now offered and agreed. Yvette Stanley explained that school places have been planned and not overprovided but that some parents wait to try and take up places that they want. Paul Ballatt added that the school appeals process was underway.

Councillor Agatha Akyigyina asked if any parents had not received an offer. Paul Ballatt explained that the department have made  central offers which are not always parent’s first choice but that the council has been effective in providing places. A report on school places will be provided in the update report at the next Panel meeting.

RESOLVED: Panel noted the report.