Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Harvey.  Councillor Hayre was in attendance as the Conservative Substitute Member.  Apologies were also received from Jane Longman, the Special School Parent Governor representative.

All Members who believe they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that interest and, having regard to Part 3 Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore all Members with a Personal Interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider, having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 4 of the Code, whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, consider whether it is appropriate to leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

All Members who believe they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that interest and, having regard to Part 3 Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members’ Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code.  Furthermore all Members with a Personal Interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider, having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 4 of the Code, whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, consider whether it is appropriate to leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

Councillor Porter declared an interest in relation to Item 9, as the Chair of a Pre-School within Hampshire.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 25 May 2018 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

The Committee received two deputations on Item 6 ‘Proposed Changes to the Short Break Activities Programme and Consultation Outcomes’.

Gail Bedding, Jenny Murray, Beth Foster and Juliet Annesley-Gamester from the organisation Hampshire Parent Carer Network (HPCN) made a deputation.  The Committee heard that HPCN had worked closely with the County Council in setting up focus groups to look at the proposed changes to the short break activities programme, and as a result of these, it had been felt that changes to the Gateway Card system and consistent charges were very important.  The Committee heard that HPCN had concerns relating to proposals to stop funding swimming activities as a short break activity, to only fund short break activities which would allow parents/carers to leave their child, and to stop funding short break activities for young people aged 18 years and over.

The deputees highlighted the wellbeing impact on children/young people through swimming and the benefits of this short break for parents/carers.  The Committee also heard concerns relating to proposals to cease funding for young people aged 18 years and over.  HPCN highlighted the benefits for short breaks for these young people which included greater independence away from home, the opportunity to make friends with other peer groups, accessing a range of activities, and to ease separation anxiety.  The benefits of short breaks for young people at Avon Tyrell was also highlighted to the Committee, and it was heard that this also gave families the opportunity to talk to families who were on the same journey.  The deputees thanked the Committee for the opportunity to speak.

The second deputation was from young people from the organisation KIDS.  Conor, Charlie, Phoebe and Tabatha addressed the Committee and Members heard that KIDS spoke to young people across Hampshire with a variety of different disabilities, and it was noted that a lot of the young people had not engaged in consultations before. 

The deputees explained that short break activities benefited society, as young people learnt skills which were vital for life.  It was heard that 60% of the feedback received from KIDS by young people, stated that funding for short break activities should not end at 18 years of age and that these young people embraced having freedom away from home and enjoyed the independence.  It was also heard that this also benefitted the wider family too.  The deputees explained that if funding did stop at 18 years then this could leave those young people feeling sad and isolated, as well as putting families under pressure.

Following the deputations, the Chairman invited Councillor Jonathan Glen to address the Committee, who as a parent of a disabled adult had attended many of the consultation meetings which had been held.  He felt there was merit in setting up a working group to look further at the proposals.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman welcomed Cllr Stephen Reid, the Executive Member for Education and Skills, Human Resources and Performance to the meeting following recent changes to Executive Member portfolios.

To subject to pre-decision scrutiny, the proposed changes to the Short Break Activities Programme.

The Committee received a report and presentation from the Director of Children’s Services on the proposed changes to the short break activities programme and consultation outcomes  (Item 6 in the Minute Book).

The Committee were taken through the presentation which highlighted the proposed changes to the short break activities proposals, and also the consultation outcomes on the nine proposals.  With relation to proposal one, it was heard that feedback received was neutral, with organisations in favour of this proposal, and the intention was to commission new arrangements working closely with organisations such as HPCN.  The Committee heard that in relation to proposal two, feedback received was broadly in agreement with the proposal and it was noted that in terms of implementation, this would be relatively straightforward.  It was also highlighted that there was broad agreement with proposal three from respondents, and questions had been asked about what was a reasonable charge and it was noted that a 50% reduction would be applied to low income families. 

Changes to the Gateway Card with the introduction of a new online application system were outlined and Members also heard that respondents broadly agreed with the proposal to require evidence of eligibility from a professional as part of the new Gateway Card application, and families would be supported through this process.

The proposal to cease funding short break activities for young people aged 18 and over was set out and it was noted that while the majority of respondents broadly disagreed with this proposal, the Committee noted the proposed steps to be taken with the Adults’ Health and Care Community Team.  It was also explained that young people aged 18 and over, could continue to access the activity, but would have to pay the full rate.

Proposals to only fund short break activities for children who live in the Hampshire County Council authority area were explained and it was heard that this approach would be consistent with many other local authorities, and young people affected could self fund or contact the local authority where they live to explore options.  Proposals to only fund short break activities which allowed parents and carers to leave their child and proposals to cease funding for swimming lessons as a short break activity were also set out.  Members heard that the County Council would work with other local authority leisure providers to ensure that the needs of disabled children and their parents/carers were taken into consideration.

In response to questions, Members heard:

·         That in respect of young people aged 18 years and over, close working with Adults’ Health and Care would ensure that affected families would be contacted to carry out an assessment, and it was agreed that a review of how families were coping with this would be helpful.

·         That overnight short breaks at Avon Tyrell could still take place and work had been undertaken to understand need in relation to individual young people.

·         That discussions with providers to provide flexibility for parents and carers paying in advance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

To receive a report and presentation detailing the work of the Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Service.

The Committee received a report and presentation from the Director of Children’s Services detailing the work of the Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Service (EMTAS) (Item 7 in the Minute Book).

Members were taken through the presentation slides and the core work of the EMTAS was explained, and it was noted that there was bilingual assessment and support in 25 languages for children new to English, and it was heard that the largest number of referrals were Polish.  In terms of educational outcomes it was explained that Gypsy/Roma were the lowest achieving groups, and work was being undertaken to try to improve this.  Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 educational outcomes were also outlined and the breakdown of this was detailed.  For Key Stage 2, the overall Black Minority Ethnic (BME) achievement was 68.7% which was above Hampshire All at 65.6%.  The BME educational outcomes for Key Stage 4 were presented and Members noted the achievements at this stage.

Members heard the progress undertaken in relation to the work against priorities which included working with schools, ‘T’ code project implementation and black children audit tool. 

In response to questions, Members heard:

·         That it was important to engage with Traveller families as early as possible.

·         That family learning classes were held in conjunction with schools, with the assistance of an interpreter who would be present at these events.

·         That ethnicity data relating to home education wasn’t collected but the figures would be small, based on the number of enquiries received.

·         That some pupils may have higher special educational needs then other pupils, and it was important to learn about these needs as soon as possible to ensure appropriate support is in place. 

·         That in relation to ‘T’ code, there was monitoring between schools, but the school which children attend the majority of the time would receive funding.

·         It was important that schools put in distance learning provision for children who may be away from school for a period of time.

·         That the data presented to the Committee was collected within the County Council with the help of school data.  The Department for Education would then request the broad headline data.

RESOLVED:

That the Children and Young People Select Committee:

·         Note the data and results presented in the report and the progress made in addressing the priorities in the service plan.

·         Are presented with the report earlier in the year as although attainment results will be provisional at this time, the data will not be as dated.  Currently the Spring census and result data are presented for the same cohort hence it has not been updated with the 2018 census.

To receive a report and presentation providing an update on Religious Education in Hampshire.

The Committee received a report and presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an update on Religious Education (RE) in Hampshire (Item 8 in the Minute Book).

Members attention was drawn to the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) annual report for 2016/17, and Members also received a presentation on RE in Hampshire.  The Committee was taken through the presentation slides and the status of RE within the whole school curriculum was explained.  It was highlighted that RE was compulsory in all schools regardless of their status as a result of the 1944 Education Act and the role and responsibilities of Local Authorities was explained.

The role of SACRE was outlined and it was heard that the Hampshire SACRE was very effective, and a monitoring group meet a month before each full SACRE meeting to examine Ofsted reports and other data.  It was heard that Hampshire continues to maintain a good reputation locally, regionally and nationally for high quality RE, and a project was due to commence with Brunel University London into religious literacy which would have an impact for Hampshire teachers.

It was explained that RE in Hampshire primary schools and at Key Stage 3 was well taught, but that some schools weren’t meeting the statutory requirement for Key Stage 4 pupils to have access to high quality RE.  The RE GCSE Key Stage 4 data was also noted.

Members heard that the SACRE Hampshire Youth Voice Conference was held on the 9 July 2018, which consisted of workshops and the chance for young people to join in discussions and ask questions. 

In response to questions, Members heard:

·         That in relation to RE GCSE Key Stage 4 data, there had been a move to two criteria for assessment, and the results of this would be monitored.

·         That girls had continued to achieve higher grades then boys in RE, and this was an issue which would continue to be monitored closely.

RESOLVED:

That the Children and Young People Select Committee receive and note the information provided in the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) Annual Report 2016/17, and the presentation in Religious Education in Hampshire.

To consider and approve the Children and Young People Select Committee Work Programme.

The Director of Transformation and Governance presented the Committee’s work programme (see Item 9 in the Minute Book).

The Director of Children’s Services confirmed that an annual safeguarding report to be considered by Cabinet would come to a future meeting of the Select Committee for information.

Councillor Porter requested that an item be placed on the work programme in relation to the County Council’s delivery plan for pre-school preparation and early years attainment in light of the introduction of 30 hours free childcare.  It was noted that this topic was on the agenda for the next meeting of the informal Members briefing programme, and Members agreed not to include this on the work programme at this time.

Councillor Porter also requested that an item be placed on the work programme in relation to schools ability to deliver the Golden Mile as outlined in the recent obesity strategy for children.  It was agreed that Officers would consider whether this was a matter for the Children and Young People Select Committee, or would be more appropriately considered at the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee.

RESOLVED:

That the work programme, subject to any amendments made during the meeting, is agreed.