To receive the annual report of the Children’s Trust.

The Executive Member for Children’s Services presented the Annual Report of the Children’s Trust Board, which provided an update on the progress of partners.  The Executive Member drew the Committee’s attention to performance relating to Key stage 4 (5 A*-C including English and Maths); and the percentage of looked after children (LAC) who have been looked after continuously for at least 12 months and who had an annual health assessment during the previous 12 months.  There were concerns regarding both of these areas that were being addressed by partners.  The Executive Member also referred to challenges relating to the changes in local schools and the ongoing development of partnership arrangements to support improved attainment for children and young people.  A consensus was being developed regarding the role of the local authority in school improvement.

In response, Members commented and discussed several issues in detail as follows:-

·                    The need to consider in more detail the gaps in achievement for vulnerable groups.  The Assistant Director commented that there were concerns with regards to gaps in achievement of some groups and he agreed to circulate information about the achievement and progress of specific groups and to report in greater detail on the achievement of vulnerable groups in future reports and specifically how the Council supported improvement in this area.

·                    Whether the national target to achieve 426 days between a child entering care and moving in with their adoptive family by 2015/16 was achievable.  The Executive Member commented this was less of a challenge for Central Bedfordshire Council although there were challenges regards working with the courts and our own social workers.

·                    Further clarity was required regarding targets in relation to domestic abuse referrals. The Assistant Director also agreed that in future data relating to youth crime would be reported as numbers rather than as percentages.

·                    A concern was expressed about why the Council area was ranked ninth out of 11 statistical neighbours in relation to the number of children who achieved a good level of development in early years.  The Assistant Director commented that in the previous year the results at foundation stage had jumped in the right direction, it was hoped this would occur again thus improving the level of performance.

·                    Queries as to why there was no rating for performance relating to the percentage of economic activity.  The Assistant Director commented that this was a very broad benchmark, he would look into this and provide an update for Members.  The Executive Member also commented that whilst it was not rated here the issue was referred to elsewhere within the Plan so the target may exist elsewhere.

·                    Concerns that percentage figures relating to re-offending rates amongst young people and the number of first-time entrants to the youth justice system aged 10-17 did not appear to be correct.  The Assistant Director commented that actual figures may provide greater clarity of performance in these areas as small numbers of cases could have a large impact on the percentages.

In addition to the specific comments raised above the Chairman raised several issues regarding the format of the Plan including concerns that the font size was too small and the need for greater clarity in the Plan to highlight the period of time that it covered.  It was also requested that a link to the current Children and Young People’s Plan be sent to all Members of the Committee.

RECOMMENDED

That the comments of the Committee as recorded in the Minutes above be provided to the Children’s Trust for consideration.