Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence from those Members who are unable to attend the meeting.

Apologies had been received from Tom Brailsford, Service Director (Resources, Improvement and Partnerships) and Stewart Horn, Head of Childrens Integrated Commissioning.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 27 September 2022.

The Board considered the minutes of the last meeting held on 27 September 2022.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the previous meeting be approved as a correct record.

The Board Members will be asked to say if there are any items on the Agenda in which they have disclosable pecuniary interests, which would prevent them from participating in any discussion of the items or participating in any vote upon the items, or any other interest.

No interests were declared.

Most debates take place in public. This only changes when there is a need to consider certain issues, for instance, commercially sensitive information or details concerning an individual. You will be told at this point whether there are any items on the Agenda which are to be discussed in private.

It was agreed that all agenda items would be held in public session.

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The Board will receive any petitions and hear any deputations from members of the public. A deputation is where up to five people can attend the meeting and make a presentation on some particular issue of concern. A member of the public can also hand in a petition at the meeting but that petition should relate to something on which the body has powers and responsibilities.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10 (2), Members of the Public should provide at least 24 hours’ notice of presenting a deputation.  

No deputations or petitions were received.

The Board will hear any questions from the general public.

No public questions were received.

Mel Meggs, Strategic Director for Children’s Services will attend to speak to the Board about the Role of the Corporate Parent.

Contact:

Mel Meggs, Strategic Director for Children’s Services.

The Board noted that this item was to be deferred until further notice.

The Board will consider a report giving key highlights from the latest Performance Monitoring data for the Children’s Service

Contacts:

Ophelia Rix, Head of Service for Children in Care, Care Leavers and Looked After Children

Louise Hallas, Virtual School Headteacher

Gill Addy, Designated Nurse for Looked After Children

Ian Mottershaw, Head of Service –Contextual Safeguarding and Y.E.S, Family Support and Child Protection

The Board considered the latest reports giving key highlights on Performance Monitoring data for Children’s Services. Rahila Habib, Service Manager – Children in Care Service presented the key highlights in relation to Children Entering Care, Children in Care and Placement Stability and explained that:

·         There was a continued fluctuation in the number of children coming into care from 607 to 621.

·         It was important to note the work undertaken in respect of Connected Carers and Special Guardianship Orders (SGO’s) in respect of this data. 

·         3 further SGO’s had been made in September and work continued to increase these numbers in the best interest of children and young people.

·         There had been an increase in unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people through the national transfer scheme.

·         Following the recent opening of adult accommodation there had been an increased volume of referrals to Children’s Services from adults claiming to be children.

Ophelia Rix, Head of Service for Children in Care, Care Leavers and Looked After Children added that the data showed that children did continue to become looked after, but there had also been an increase in placements with parents and connected cares which should be considered alongside the data.

Ophelia Rix referenced the Children’s Act and its emphasis on keeping children with their families and connected communities where it was safe to do so. It was explained that this was the key principle underpinning the SGO’s and it was important to make sure that where children wanted to and could return home that there was the correct structure to facilitate this.The approach prevented children from remaining looked after, and Kirklees offered a support plan to enable this, but it was important to note that this was only the case where it was safe and appropriate to do so.

The Ex-offico noted the update and the explanation of the data in relation to children entering care and expressed that this was positive and reassuring. In relation to the data around unaccompanied asylum-seeking children showed a slight downward trend and it was important to monitor this going forwards. 

The Board noted it was satisfied by the continued good work in relation to kinship carers and SGO highlighting that this together with the Councils investment in early support helped contribute to preventing children from becoming looked after. The Board further noted that it would be helpful to receive comparative data including learning points and long-term outcomes to evidence this. 

Ophelia Rix presented the data in relation to Care leavers and highlighted that:

·         There had been an increase in the performance indicator for Children in Care (aged 17 years) with an allocated Personal Advisor.

·         The increase was from 96.0% in August 2022 to 97.9% in September 2022, but the target was 100%.

·         There had been an increase in the percentage of Care leavers in Employment, Education and Training (EET) but this was a key area for improvement.

·         A programme of work was to be produced along with education, housing, and businesses in relation to improving  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

The Board will consider the Kirklees Looked After Children Annual Health Report for April 2021 – March 2022.

Contact:

Gill Addy, Designated Nurse - Looked After Children and Care Leavers

The Board considered the Kirklees Looked After Annual Health Report (March 2021- April 2022) presented by Gill Addy, Designated Nurse for Looked After Children. It was highlighted that:

·         During 2021-22 alternative hybrid methods of working were necessary to comply with Covid-19 restrictions in Initial Health Assessment clinics.

·         There was a rise in demand for support related to increased child health complexities, unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC), and involvement with children accommodated in Kirklees by other local authorities.

·         There had also been an increased amount of telephone and IT communication.

·         The increased number of agencies using the electronic child health record System-One amplified the number of communications via tasks, and the volume of information available to inform assessments.

·         The wealth of material was an asset but added significantly to the time taken in the preparation of assessments.

·         A Business Case related to the team capacity and resource has been submitted to the joint commissioner for consideration and discussions had been held with senior managers. This was still ongoing.

·         Completion of the Review Health Assessments (RHA’s) within statutory timescales continued to present a challenge.

·         To alleviate pressure, a temporary 6-month measure was introduced to complete the RHA’s in the month they were due, but Statutory guidelines were reintroduced in March 2022.

·         An audit looking at reasons for breach in Quarter 1 of 2022, illustrated that children and their families were at the heart of the planning, prioritising family, work, school, and outside activity commitments before timescales.

·         Dental access had improved from the time of the pandemic and was supported by the ‘Flexible Commissioning’ programme.

·         Immunisation rates averaged 91.5% across all ages. Teenage boosters remained the most common outstanding immunisations.

·         The manual return rates of ‘Strength and Difficulty Questionnaires’ (SDQ’s) had remained low.

·         It was noted that this was a time consuming but statutory task and the electronic portal was unable to facilitate any system improvement.

·         The redevelopment of the Local Authority Placement Support Service (PSS) provided a multi-agency approach alongside the SDQ’s.

·         The inclusion of a trauma screening assessment for UASC by a Locala GP, added a valuable dimension to the support options.

·         The Ages and Stages Social and Emotional (ASQ–SE) questionnaire, continued to provide a resource to measure the emotional health of children and babies under 4 years old.

·         Liaison with the sexual health, and substance misuse outreach workers continued, reinforcing the collaborative working model. Drop-in’s had also resumed recently.

·         Medical reports continue to be completed by the Medical Advisors, and all adoption panels in Kirklees and Calderdale had a Medical Advisor present for advice and support.

·         The ‘Health Outcome Audit’ project enabled data collection to continue.

·         This measured the health needs of children as they entered care and a comparison of improvements to their health for those who remained in care, at the point of their first Review Health Assessment (RHA). A re-audit was planned during 2022-23.

·         A recent review identified that it was not possible to resume pre-pandemic levels of performance.

·         The service had required modification to meet the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

The Board will consider the Virtual School Headteachers Annual Report.

Contact:

Louise Hallas, Virtual School Headteacher

The Board considered the Virtual School Headteacher Report for the 2021-22 academic year presented by Louise Hallas, Virtual School Head Teacher and it was highlighted that: 

·         Kirklees Virtual School now worked with all young people in the care of Kirklees Council from the age of 2 through to age 18 (end of Year 13 with consent).

·         Following self-assessment, the Virtual School rated the service as good overall with some outstanding features, and some areas for development.

·         Most recent national indicators showed that Kirklees Virtual School was in Quartile A in 5 of the indicators and Quartile B in 1 of the indicators.

·         The team was experienced and effective and worked with all young people to monitor their educational progress and to provide the best for young people.

·         The Virtual School collaborated well with other professionals including Social Workers, Designated Teacher’s, Carer’s, and Education Psychologists.

·         There were robust systems and processes which provided accurate data linked to the Virtual School’s priorities and statutory duties.

·         Most of all children in care accessed free early education and continued to be placed with an education provider judged ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’.

·         Year 1 phonics screening was above the national average for children and young people in care in 2022.

·         The percentage of KS1 pupils reaching expected or a higher standard for Reading, Writing and Maths and Reading/Writing combined was above the national average for 2022.

·         Improvements in KS2 results in 2022 highlighted that Kirklees were above national averages for Reading, Writing and Maths individually and just below national averages for combined.

·         This was a significant improvement for KS2 outcomes for Kirklees Council.

·         Most young people who achieved national expectations at the end of KS1/2 progressed on the trajectory to expected outcomes at the end of KS2 and KS4.

·         Participation and progression remained strong in Post 16 education despite the remaining challenges following the Covid-19 pandemic.

·         There had been no permanent exclusion of a child and young person in care since the establishment of the Virtual School.

·         The electronic Personal Education Plan (PEP) system enabled the Virtual School to monitor the completion and quality of PEPs and allowed for systematic application, authorisation, and monitoring of Pupil Premium Plus funding for individual pupils.

·         100% of PEP’s were completed within the termly timescales. 

·         Initial PEP completion in 10 school days of notification was 98% in 2021/22 an increase from 97% in 2020/21 within 10 working days.

·         The Virtual School Team Managers had oversight of school changes and ensured that new schools were at least ‘good’ and met the curriculum needs of the young person.

·         In July 2022, 81% of children and young people in care were attending good or outstanding schools.

·         There was a clear understanding of the 19% in attendance at education provisions judged as requires improvement / inadequate at their last Ofsted visit, or those providers with no inspection report (13%).

·         When a schools Ofsted judgement was inadequate, extra monitoring and support was in place to ensure that educational needs were being met.

·         89% of school  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

The Board will consider the presentation ‘Children’s Voice, Participation and Corporate Parents;’ a verbal update in respect of ideas for participation and representation of the child’s voice at Corporate Parenting Board.

Contact:

Anna Gledhill, Service Manager Quality Assurance and Safeguarding

Krissy Podgorski, Team Manager - Children Looked After Independent Service

The Board received a presentation in respect of Children’s Voice, Participation and Corporate Parents presented by Krissy Podgorski, Team Manager – Children Looked After Independent Service.

It was highlighted that the Children’s Rights Team wanted to work with the Board to ensure that the views of children in care and care leavers were a consistent and influential feature of the Board. Ideas for participation included:

·         Themes and patterns from advocacy be reported to the Board on a regular basis

·         Children and young people are enabled to regularly share the key issues and themes that affect them with the Board.

·         A young person friendly meeting of the Corporate Parenting Board be held once or twice per year to enable and encourage attendance.

·         The use of video’s or presentations be used as an additional method of communicating with the Board.

·         Progress being measured by the Board through hearing directly from young people and through visiting the groups periodically throughout the year.

In relation to the child’s voice shaping policy, it was highlighted that Children’s Services should be involving young people in discussions around policy changes and work around key priorities through the Children in Care Council and the Care leavers Forum as well as the wider group of Children Looked After and Care leavers to gather a broad representation of views. This engagement could be facilitated through the Children’s Rights Team, with support from other services.  Krissy Podgorski, requested to hear the Boards thoughts on the ideas presented and asked for any other suggestions.

In response, the Board welcomed the idea of video submissions, and other methods of communication with Children Looked After and Care leavers (e.g.- voice recordings or written statements). The Board also requested that the details of upcoming meeting dates of the Children In Care Council and the Care Leaver Forum, and for an invitation to attend these meetings be shared with Board members.

The Board welcomed the idea of video submissions and requested that the details of upcoming meeting dates of the CIC and CLF, and an invitation to attend these meetings be shared with Board members. The Board also recommended that some meetings of the Corporate Parenting Board be set at a time appropriate to enable the attendance of young people with a young person friendly agenda. 

The Ex-offcio noted the importance of meeting children and young people in their environment as well as ensuring the agenda was appropriate and relevant to allow young people to engage and participate. It was also important to make sure there was a feedback loop to acknowledge ongoing positive work across Children’s services.  The Board agreed and further noted there was a skill development opportunity for the young people in being able to present to Board members.

The Board highlighted the Total Respect Training as positive, as well as asking Foster Carers questions via voice recording for presentation to the Board. The Board also supported the idea of hearing directly from young people of their experiences and for them to have  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

The Board will receive a verbal update from the Chair of the Virtual School Governing Body.

Contacts:

Councillor Carole Pattison, Chair of the Virtual School Governing Body
Louise Hallas, Virtual School Head Teacher

Louise Hallas, Virtual School Head Teacher presented a verbal update in respect of the Virtual School Governing Body, and it was noted that:

·         At the last meeting the Virtual School Governing Body were presented with the Annual Virtual School Headteacher report.

·         This was followed by an analysis of persistent and unauthorised absences and action points were shared with the Governing Body.

·         It was agreed that at the next meeting the Governing Body would receive a presentation from the new SEND Lead.

·         This would include an analysis report in respect of young people with SEND and the action plan.

·         The Governing Body also planned to consider an update on the Virtual School’s new duty to include all young people with a social worker.

RESOLVED: The Board noted theVirtual School Governing Body Update.

The Board will consider verbal updates from Board Members in relation to progress and key issues following interaction with Services and partners to challenge the role of the Corporate Parent.

Contact:

Jodie Harris, Principal Governance and Democratic Engagement Officer

The Board noted verbal updates from Members in respect of interactions with Services and it was highlighted that:

·         The Ex-offcio noted the link between children looked after and adoption (particularly around children with SEND) and requested that the Board considers this pathway going forwards.

·         The Ex-offcio noted that the Children’s scrutiny panel visited a Dewsbury cluster team meeting and highlighted that participation was found to be useful.

·         The Chair noted attendance at a number of events including; the Kinship Carers event (Greenwood Centre), the Kinship carers Halloween party, Homestats AGM, the Kirklees Together Partnership Board, the Children’s Partnership Event and the Kirklees Children’s Safeguarding Board.

·         The Chair had been interviewed by a representative from the LGA in respect of the West Yorkshire view of Childrens social care.

·         The Chair also visited Fairfield’s School and presented the ‘Democracy Friendly School Awards’

·         It was highlighted that the students were to be invited to the Council Chamber in the New Year to learn about voting.

·         The Chair had also attended the Mockingbird Project Celebration Event and the launch of ‘Constellation’, and the positive feedback received from Foster Carers was highlighted.

·         The Board noted attendance at ‘Woven’ where the Board met the co-ordinator of the care leavers quilts exhibition in the piazza.

·         This was highlighted as important work and Board members were encouraged to view these on exhibition.

RESOLVED: The Board noted the update on Interactions with Services.

The Board will consider the agenda plan for 2022/23.

Contact:

Jodie Harris, Principal Governance and Democratic Engagement Officer

The Board considered its agenda plan for 2022/23. It was noted there were a few items arising from the meeting to be added to the Plan.

RESOLVED: The Board noted the agenda plan for 2022/23 and it was agreed that:

1.    The items highlighted during the meeting be added to the document for the Boards consideration. 

2.    The link between Children Looked After and Adoption (particularly around children with SEND) and this pathway be added to the work programme as highlighted under item 12.