Children s Service Overview & Scrutiny Sub-

Transcription

1 AGENDA ITEM: 10 Page nos Meeting Date 28 th April 2011 Subject Report of Summary Overview & Scrutiny Sub- Committee Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee Forward Work Programme 2010/11 Scrutiny Office This report outlines the Sub-Committee s work programme during 2010/11. Officer Contributors Status (public or exempt) Wards Affected Enclosures Contact for Further Information: None Public All Appendix 1 Overview & Scrutiny Sub- Committee Work Programme 2010/11 Melissa James, Scrutiny Office melissa.james@barnet.gov.uk 23

2 1. RECOMMENDATIONS 1.1 That the Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee consider and comment on the items included in the 2010/11 work programme of the Overview & Scrutiny Sub-Committee (Appendix 1). 2 CORPORATE PRIORITIES AND POLICY CONSIDERATIONS 2.1 The Overview and Scrutiny Committees/Sub-Committees must ensure that the work of Scrutiny is reflective of the Council s priorities. 2.2 The three priority outcomes set out in the 2010/13 Corporate Plan are: Better services with less money Sharing opportunities, sharing A successful London suburb 2.3 The Corporate Plan 2010/13 contains the following strategic objectives and performance targets that fall within the remit of the Corporate Governance Directorate and relate to Overview and Scrutiny: Improve council policy and decision making through greater involvement by non-executive members To improve the effectiveness and transparency of decision-making within the council by ensuring that Overview and Scrutiny in the year 2010/11: Considers three decisions prior to being taken by Cabinet; and Initiates three items of policy development. 3. RELEVANT PREVIOUS DECISIONS 3.1 Policy and Performance Overview and Scrutiny Committee, 13 April 2010, Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee work programmes. 4. RISK MANAGEMENT ISSUES 4.1 None in the context of this report. 5. EQUALITIES AND DIVERSITY ISSUES 5.1 In addition to the Terms of Reference of the Sub-Committee, and in so far as relating to matters within its remit, the role of the Sub-Committee is to perform the Overview and Scrutiny role in relation to: The Council s leadership role in relation to diversity and inclusiveness; and The fulfilment of the Council s duties as employer including recruitment and retention, personnel, pensions and payroll services, staff development, equalities and health and safety. 24

3 6. USE OF RESOURCES IMPLICATIONS (Finance, Procurement, Performance & Value for Money, Staffing, IT, Property, Sustainability) 6.1 None in the context of this report. 7. LEGAL ISSUES 7.1 None in the context of this report. 8 CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS 8.1 The scope of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees/Sub-Committees is contained within Part 2, Article 6 of the Council s Constitution; the Terms of Reference of the Scrutiny Committees / Sub-Committees are included in the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules (Part 4 of the Council s Constitution). 9. BACKGROUND INFORMATION 9.1 The Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee s Work Programme 2010/11 indicates items of business previously considered by the Sub-Committee and forthcoming items. 9.2 The work programme of this Sub-Committee is intended to be a responsive tool, which will be updated on a rolling basis following each meeting, for the inclusion of areas which may arise through the course of the year. 9.3 The Sub-Committee Committee is empowered to agree its priorities and determine its own schedule of work within the programme. 10. LIST OF BACKGROUND PAPERS 10.1 None. 25

4 APPENDIX 1 CHILDREN S OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY SUB-COMMITTEE WORK PROGRAMME 2010/11 MEETING - 8 JUNE 2010 Items Considered Information Report Origin Link to Cabinet/ Corporate Plan Presentation: Overview of The Children s Service in Barnet That the report be noted Overview and Scrutiny 2010/211 Presentation by on the work and progress of the service Presentation on the Overview and Scrutiny function 2010/11 Internal - Scrutiny Office That the Sub-Committee note the arrangements for Scrutiny work in 2010/2011 Cabinet Forward Plan of Key Decisions The Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee to comment on and consider the Cabinet Forward Plan when identifying future areas of scrutiny work Internal Democratic Services That the Cabinet reports on the Short Break Programme and the First Class Schools Strategy be taken at the next meeting of the sub-committee on July 14 th

5 Items Considered Information Report Origin Link to Cabinet/ Corporate Plan s Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee forward work programme 2010/11 The Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee to consider the work programmed and agree which items are to be taken each meeting for 2010/11 Internal - Scrutiny Office That the following items are taken at the next Sub-Committee meeting on July 14 th 2010: Short Break Programme First Class School Strategy Annual report on Safeguarding Member visits to Barnet Children s Homes Statutory Officer visits Members visits to Barnet Children s homes The Children s Overview and Scrutiny Sub- Committee to agree a rota of visits for the municipal year and to receive Members reports from visits made to the Council s maintained community homes Decision taken on this item: That the exempt information on the reported Member s visit be noted. Statutory Regulation 33- Officer visits to Barnet s Children s homes That the exempt information be noted. Visits carried out by Officers under Regulations 33 of the Children s Homes Regulations 2001 Internal - Scrutiny Office Internal - Scrutiny Office 2

6 MEETING 14 JULY 2010 Items Considered Information Report Origin Link to Cabinet/ Corporate Plan Short Breaks That the report be noted The proposed allocation of revenue and capital funding to further develop the menu of options available to children and young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and their families through the Council s Short Break programme The Council s understanding of the specific needs and outcomes of local children and young people is well supported by the Council s Profile of Children and Young People in Barnet. The short breaks programme is a key element of the activities outlined in the Barnet Children and Young People Plan 2010/ /13 to help children and young people make a positive contribution, and will help to meet the priority to ensure high quality provision for disabled children and young people and those with complex needs. The programme will also contribute to the corporate priority of sharing, sharing opportunities by giving opportunities to children and young people with disabilities and their families to enable them to increase their independence. 3

7 Items Considered Information Report Origin Link to Cabinet/ Corporate Plan Meeting the demand for primary school place That the report be noted Annual Report of the Barnet Safeguarding Children Board That the report be noted Cabinet Forward Plan of Key Decisions The pressing demand on primary school places in the borough and the statutory duty of the council to ensure sufficient primary places are available in the borough. The annual report summarises the work of the Barnet Safeguarding Children Board over the past year and outlines areas for future work. The Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee to comment on and consider the Cabinet Forward Plan when identifying future areas of scrutiny work Internal Democratic Services Ensuring sufficient primary places are available in the right areas is one of the Corporate Plan s top improvement initiatives under the corporate priority of a successful London suburb. It helps to support the strategic objective of ensuring every school is a good school Ensuring that Barnet s children and young people are kept safe is a key responsibility of the council and its partners. The Corporate Plan includes a strategic objective to embed a safeguarding culture throughout Barnet to make sure our children, young people and adults remain safe That the Cabinet reports on the First Class Schools Strategy and Decision Making Structure be taken at the next meeting of the sub-committee on November 16 th

8 Items Considered Information Report Origin Link to Cabinet/ Corporate Plan s Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee forward work programme 2010/11 The Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee to consider the work programmed and agree which items are to be taken each meeting for 2010/11 Internal - Scrutiny Office That the following items are taken at the next Sub-Committee meeting on 16 th November 2010: First Class School Strategy Decision Making Structures Safeguarding Choice Achievement Strategy an update Member visits to Barnet Children s Homes Statutory Officer visits Members visits to Barnet Children s homes The Children s Overview and Scrutiny Sub- Committee to agree a rota of visits for the municipal year and to receive Members reports from visits made to the Council s maintained community homes Decision taken on this item: That the exempt information on the reported Member s visit be noted. Statutory Regulation 33- Officer visits to Barnet s Children s homes That the exempt information be noted. Visits carried out by Officers under Regulations 33 of the Children s Homes Regulations 2001 Internal - Scrutiny Office Internal - Scrutiny Office 5

9 MEETING 16 NOVEMBER 2010 Items to be Considered Information Report Origin Link to Cabinet/ Corporate Plan Children s Service One Barnet Report That the report be noted Academies in Barnet That the report be note That scrutiny members note the work underway in the Children s Service and feed in any comments or questions on the projects. That scrutiny members note the developments in Barnet relating to Academies and consider the implications arising from these changes. The One Barnet programme is designed around the council s corporate priorities of A new relationship with citizens, Better services for less and a Successful London Suburb ; the projects relating to children and young people will all contribute to these priorities. Some of the projects are linked to the significant budget savings that the council is required to make as a result of the Comprehensive Spending Review; the One Barnet projects aim to review and reshape services in the light of funding changes, rather than simply reduce existing services. The Corporate Plan priority A Successful London Suburb has a strategic objective to Ensure every school is a good school for every child. If high performing Barnet schools wish to convert to Academy status, this will help to increase the quality and diversity of school provision in the borough 6

10 MEETING 16 NOVEMBER 2010 Items to be Considered Information Report Origin Link to Cabinet/ Corporate Plan Pupils Place Planning Update That the report be noted Cabinet Forward Plan of Key Decisions That scrutiny members consider the latest GLA school roll projections and the accuracy of forecasting the number of additional places required. That the Children s Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee comment on and consider the Cabinet Forward Plan for the period October 2010 to February 2011 when identifying areas of future Scrutiny work Ensuring that there are sufficient school places for Barnet s children and young people is a key responsibility of the council. The Corporate Plan includes a strategic objective to ensure sufficient primary school places are available in the right areas. Internal Democratic Services That the sub-committee noted the Cabinet Forward Plan. s Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee forward work programme 2010/11 The Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee to consider the work programmed and agree which items are to be taken each meeting for 2010/11 Internal - Scrutiny Office 7

11 That the following items are taken at the next Sub-Committee meeting on 3 rd February 2011: Early Intervention and Prevention Services update from the Task and Finish Group. Safeguarding an update on how many schools in the borough have taken up safeguarding issues. Domestic violence strategy an up date from the Task and Finish Group Member visits to Barnet Children s Homes Statutory Officer visits Members visits to Barnet Children s homes The Children s Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee to agree a rota of visits for the municipal year and to receive Members reports from visits made to the Council s maintained community homes Decision taken on this item: That the exempt information on the reported Member s visit be noted. Internal - Scrutiny Office Statutory Regulation 33- Officer visits to Barnet s Children s homes Visits carried out by Officers under Regulations 33 of the Children s Homes Regulations 2001 Internal - Scrutiny Office That the exempt information be noted. 8

12 3 rd FEBRUARY MEETING Items to be Considered Information Report Origin Link to Cabinet/ Corporate Plan Budget Consultation That the Sub Committee note and comment on the Budget Consultation and make any recommendation as appropriate. Safeguarding Update Annual Assessment of Decision taken on this item Update on how schools are addressing safeguarding issues That the Sub- Committee note and comment on the measures in place to ensure that children are safeguarded in schools. Annual assessment of children s service and findings from unannounced inspection That the Sub-Committee note the annual assessment of Barnet s children s service and findings from the unannounced inspection of contact referral and assessment arrangements. Update on Task and Finish Group Homelessness and Young People Decision taken on this item- Update on the work of the Task and Finish Group Sub-Committee That the Sub-Committee note the update on recommendations of Task and Finish Groups on Homelessness and Young people. 9

13 Update on Task and Finish Group Early Intervention Decision taken on this item Update on the work of the Task and Finish Group Sub Committee That the Sub- Committee consider for information the progress of the Early Intervention and Prevention s Task and Finish Group as set out in the report Cabinet Forward Plan Scrutiny office Decision taken on this item- That the Sub- Committee note the Cabinet Forward Plan s OSC Forward Programme 2010/11 Decision taken on this item: Scrutiny office That the follow items be considered at the next meeting of the OSC meeting on the 28 th April 2011 The education sector Child Protection Conferencing Member visits to Barnet Children s Homes Statutory Officer visits Member visits Decision taken on this item The Children s Overview and Scrutiny Sub- Committee to agree a rota of visits for the municipal year and to receive Members reports from visits made to the Council s maintained community homes That the exempt information on the reported Member s visit be noted Internal Scrutiny office 10

14 Statutory Officer visits Decision taken on this item That the exempt information be noted. Visits carried out by Officers under Regulations 33 of the Children s Homes Regulations 2001 Internal- scrutiny office 28 th APRIL MEETING Items to be Considered Information Report Origin Link to Cabinet/ Corporate Plan Annual Report of the Barnet Safeguarding Children Board Local Authority Responsibilities for the (25) Agenda Child Protection Conferencing The annual report summarises the work of the Barnet Safeguarding Children Board over the past year and outlines areas for future work An overview of the statutory for Local Authorities for year old learners (14-25 for those with Learning Disability Assessments) and subsequent required actions. This report sets out information in respect to Child Protection Case conferences Sub-Committee Sub Committee Cabinet Forward Plan Scrutiny Office s OSC Forward Programme 2011/12 Statutory Officer visits Visits carried out by Officers under Regulations 33 of the Children s Homes Regulations 2001 Scrutiny Office Internal- scrutiny office 11

15 FUTURE MEETINGS 2011/12 Items to be Considered Information Report Origin Link to Cabinet/ Corporate Plan Fostering Recruitment Child Poverty Bill TFG review on fostering recruitment in the London Borough of Barnet Issues relevant to the promotion and development of culture, recreation, sport and tourism, directly in partnership with other. Task and Finish Groups Recommendation Tracking Report Safeguarding: Children s Governance Structures: To receive the report tracking the implementation of the recommendations of Task and Finish Groups relevant to the Overview & Scrutiny sub- Committee, to include information on the outcomes of relevant reviews under the pre Overview & Scrutiny arrangements To receive a report on safeguarding in noncouncil organisations where people work with children such as. Youth Clubs, Scout and Brownie Groups. That the sub-committee receive a report outlining the Boards and Panels governing the delivery of services for children. Request of the Sub- Committee Request of the Sub- Committee Request of the Sub- Committee Request of the Sub- Committee 12

16 NEET( Number of Children not in education, employment or training) Domestic violence Strategy NEET and vulnerable groups The Sub-Committee to consider the domestic violence strategy for Barnet. Internal Submitted by a member of the committee 13