None.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Martin Whelton, Simon Bennett and Colin Powell.

RESOLVED: The Panel agreed the minutes as a true record of the meeting.

Councillor Linda Taylor asked what work had ben undertaken to promote apprenticeships, as discussed at the last meeting. Paul Ballatt advised that meetings had been set up to discuss with departments across the council as part of a wider piece of work.

Councillor Katy Neep welcomed Jane McSherry to the meeting and stated that the Panel looked forward to working with Jane in the future.

Councillor Maxi Martin outlined her priorities which included budget pressures, increase in child population and demand on services. In particular, how the department can respond given reduced funding. Also, the recruitment and retention of quality social workers and how to manage child sexual exploitation and prevention of FGM and the new requirements surrounding OFSTED.

Councillor James Holmes asked what policies and solutions were in place or planned to address some of the issues raised. Councillor Maxi Martin explained that work was underway in a number of areas; for example, policies are in place for the recruitment and retention of social workers and, as Cabinet Member, has regular dialogue with the department on responses to all of the issues and priorities raised to ensure that progress is being made and solutions generated.

Councillor Charlie Chirico asked what guidance had been published on radicalisation and what support was being provided to vulnerable children. Yvette Stanley explained that the department are implementing policy around the Government’s ‘Prevent’ agenda. Schools are also briefed on referral routes through MASH should they have any concerns and protocols have been shared. Schools also promote the right value set and explore issues around radicalisation with students. A multidisciplinary group has also been convened by the MSCB to look at good practice guidance in this area. Parents have received safeguarding leaflets so that they are aware of this issue.

Councillor Linda Taylor asked if there was consensus across schools as to how to approach this issue. Councillor Maxi Martin explained that schools were supportive of this agenda and have taken differing approaches. Jane McSherry explained that there is a regular slot on Prevent in meetings with Heads and there has been positive engagement with the agenda.

Yvette Stanley outlined the following key areas that are departmental priorities for the year ahead:

·                     School expansion

·                    Support to schools including Academies and Free Schools and continuing focus on standards;

·                     Changes regarding care proceedings and adoption;

·                     Reducing time for adoption process building on recent improvements

·                    Difficulties in recruitment and retention of social workers (as Merton employ 40% of its social workers as agency staff). Salaries have been benchmarked against other London Boroughs and incentives have been offered. Merton also has reasonable caseloads but budgetary pressures mean that competing for staff with some boroughs is difficult.

·                    Changes in legislation regarding leaving care and support to be provided for up to 25 year olds despite this not being accompanied by an increase in funding to do so.

·                    Continuing to develop services  in the transition from public health services to the local authority

·                     Changes in legislation surrounding the council’s role in intervention

Councillor Dennis Pearce asked if some children do not receive the 15 hours free childcare due to lack of funding and how the additional hours for childcare announced would be provided. Jane McSherry explained that the current 15 hour allowance has different take up across the borough particularly for  children in the 0-2 age bracket. The council are finding ways to reach out to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Councillor Katy Neep outlined the draft 2015/16 work programme for the Panel’s agreement.

Councillor Agatha Akyigyina asked what could be expected in the budget report. Yvette Stanley explained that the report may include some revised/replacement savings, up to 2016/17, when it is presented to the Panel in October 2015.

RESOLVED: Panel agreed their 2015/16 work programme.

Councillor Jeff Hanna expressed his thanks to the task group for their work.

RESOLVED: Panel endorsed the report and agreed to forward to Cabinet for consideration at their September 2015 meeting.

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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

Councillor Katy Neep informed the Panel that the meeting date for the October Panel meeting was to be changed and that dates would be consulted on shortly.

RESOLVED:  Panel agreed this change.