Minute
North Lanarkshire Council · 13 September 2022
Back to Education, Children and Families Committee — 13 September 2022 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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EDUCATION, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES - 13 SEPTEMBER 2022 124 13 September 2022 at 2 pm. A Hybrid Meeting of the EDUCATION, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES COMMITTEE PRESENT Councillor Campbell, Convener; Councillor Duffy-Lawson, Vice-Convener; Councillors Ashraf, Ballinger, Barclay, Baudo, Beveridge, Brannan-McVey, Bustard, Costello, Dunbar, Fotheringham, Hughes, D. Johnston, T. Johnston, Jones, Kelly, Keltie, Khan, Larson, Lennon, Loughran, Magowan, Masterton, McCluskey, B. McCulloch, McKay, McKendrick, McManus, McPake, Mitchell, Stevenson, Toner and Woods; Mr. G. McCormack and Mr. I. Scott. ALSO PRESENT In accordance with Standing Order 64(A) Councillors M. McCulloch, McPhilemy and Smith attended as substitutes for Councillors Boyd, McVey and L. Stubbs respectively. CHAIR Councillor Campbell (Convener) presided. IN ATTENDANCE Deputy Chief Executive; Head of Education (North); Head of Education (South); Head of Children, Families and Justice Services; Business Finance Manager (Strategy); Community Learning and Youth Work Manager; Senior Education and Families Managers (Social Work); Assistant Community Partnership Manager and Democratic Services Manager. ALSO IN ATTENDANCE In respect of paragraph 2, D Collins – MSYP Coatbridge and Chryston, and A. McGuire, MSYP Uddingston and Bellshill. APOLOGIES Councillors Boyd, Currie, Linden, McVey, L. Stubbs and Wilson; Mr. D. Hannan and Mr. G. Paterson. Prior to the commencement of business, the Convener informed the Committee it was with great sadness that on Thursday, 8 September we heard of the death of Her Majesty The Queen, who was the longest reigning British monarch and had reigned for 70 years, and asked the Committee to be upstanding to observe a one minute silence to commemorate Her Majesty. Thereon, the Committee observed the one minute silence. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN TERMS OF THE ETHICAL STANDARDS IN PUBLIC LIFE ETC. (SCOTLAND) ACT 2000 1. Councillor Bustard by virtue of a connection with a family member declared an interest in agenda item 3 – Keeping the Promise: Care Experienced Children and Young People and left the meeting during consideration of that item of business.
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EDUCATION, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES - 13 SEPTEMBER 2022 125 P084.1 – BUILDING CAPACITY THROUGH SOCIAL CAPITAL/REVISED YOUTH ENGAGEMENT INFRASTRUCTURE 2. There was submitted a report by the Head of Children, Families and Justice Social Work Services/Chief Social Work Officer (1) providing an update on the development and implementation of the revised Youth Engagement and Participation Infrastructure; (2) informing the Committee that the development of the new infrastructure, including proposals to expand local youth forums and to establish a “Transformation Board”, had been approved by the former Community Empowerment Committee on 23 August 2021, and (3) outlining key activities undertaken and the milestones achieved over the previous 12 months as well as setting out objectives for the year ahead. Decided: (1) that the changes that have been made to the Youth Participation Structure be noted; (2) that the next steps as set out in the report be endorsed, and (3) that the development of improved youth engagement across the Council Committee structure be supported. Councillor Bustard, prior to consideration of the following item of business, having declared a connection by virtue of a family member, left the meeting during its consideration. P044.1 – KEEPING THE PROMISE: CARE EXPERIENCED CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE 3. There was submitted a report by the Head of Children, Families and Justice Social Work Services/Chief Social Work Officer (1) providing an update on the key developments to deliver the Promise: Care Foundation to support care experienced children and young people; (2) recalling that a number of reports to the previous Education and Families Committee had updated Elected Members on the range of work being progressed to improve the experience and outcomes of children and young people experiencing, or who have experienced care, in North Lanarkshire; (3) providing an update on a number of key areas including how the Childrens Champions Board and Promise Development Team are ensuring lived experience essential to the change process, and (4) highlighting the critical role of support offered within childrens houses and planned activity to further enhance the Childrens Carer Service and the wide-ranging work of the Virtual School in improving education opportunities, attainment and wider outcomes. Decided: (1) that the content of the report and the challenges and ambition of the Promise and the Promise Plan 2021-24, within the context of North Lanarkshire, be noted, and (2) that the actions highlighted as next steps in the report be endorsed. P0801.1 – KEEPING THE PROMISE: SUPPORT OF FAMILIES, CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE – UPDATE 4. There was submitted a report by the Head of Children, Families and Justice Services/Chief Social Work Officer (1) indicating that high quality whole family support is fundamental to supporting all children and young people to achieve their potential in line with the ambition of the Plan for North Lanarkshire and is also fundamental to the delivery of the Promise; (2) reiterating that the Council and its partners are ambitious in working together to create more flexible, wrap around, cohesive and integrated support for families; (3) providing an update on four specific strands of work supporting the wider ambition in relation to (a) family group decision making; (b) community mental health and
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EDUCATION, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES - 13 SEPTEMBER 2022 126 wellbeing support and services framework; (c) investment and family engagement workers, and (d) whole family Wellbeing Fund, and (4) providing information on the investment the Service is making in family support and local planning with respect to the whole family Wellbeing Fund, a Scottish Government Initiative to support the strengthening of family support nationally in line with its commitment to keep the Promise. Decided: (1) that the developments and activity, and the next steps, as detailed in the report, be endorsed, and (2) that the plans outlined in the report to take forward planning for the use of the North Lanarkshire allocation of monies and the whole family Wellbeing Fund be endorsed. P031.1 GETTING IT RIGHT FOR EVERY CHILD 5. There was submitted a report by the Head of Education (North) (1) providing an update to the Committee on the progress of the implementation and development of the Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) process; (2) informing the Committee on the development of the Roadmap to Recovery and the Mental Health and Wellbeing Plan for Children in North Lanarkshire, and (3) outlining the development and new approaches to family support. Decided: that the contents of the report be endorsed. P030.1-1140 EARLY LEARNING AND CHILDCARE EXPANSION PROGRAMME UPDATE 6. There was submitted a report by the Head of Education (North) (1) reminding the Committee that the 1140 Hours Expansion Programme for Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) is a national programme being developed in a unique way to respond to specific local circumstances; (2) providing an updated position on the 1140 Hours Early Learning and Childcare Expansion Programme re-enforcing previous reports which had already been approved by Committee and based on significant consultation with stakeholders; (3) providing focus on the Capital Programme, workforce and progress in relation to quality, and (4) providing a financial update as of Period 4. Decided: (1) that the 1140 project update be endorsed; (2) that the progress of Heathery Park Family Learning Centre be endorsed, and (3) that the Early Learning and Childcare core function update be endorsed. P035 REVIEW OF ADDITIONAL SUPPORT NEEDS 7. There was submitted a report by the Head of Education (North) (1) providing an update on the progress which continues to be made in implementing the 12 recommendations arising from the Review of Additional Support Needs (ASN), as agreed by the former Education and Families Committee in September 2019; (2) highlighting the ongoing programme of transformational change in reconfiguring intensive ASN systems and services, and (3) emphasising the importance of ensuring that all children achieve their full potential and are catered for within high quality facilities.
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EDUCATION, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES - 13 SEPTEMBER 2022 127 Decided: (1) that the contents of the report be endorsed, and (2) that progress in relation to implementing the outcomes of the Review of ASN provision in North Lanarkshire (September 2019) be endorsed. P079 PROGRESS UPDATE ON CURRICULUM OFFERING AND CAREER PATHWAYS 8. There was submitted a report by the Head of Education (South) (1) informing the Committee that significant progress has been made in reviewing the curriculum offering for children and young people since the initial Review of Curriculum Arrangements was published in May 2020 and aligned to The Plan for North Lanarkshire; (2) explaining that work which has been undertaken has led to improved outcomes for children and young people and, in particular, those with the greatest barriers to learning and employment; (3) intimating that the overarching themes remain Pathways, Packages and Partnerships and highlighting progress and achievement made in these areas since the previous reports to Committee in May and November 2020, and (4) providing (a) an update on progress, along with supporting data, and (b) case studies illustrating the impact this work is having on individual children, young people and families. Decided: (1) that the contents of the report be endorsed, and (2) that the next steps as outlined in the report be approved. CLUB 365 - SUMMER (2022) UPDATE 9. There was submitted a report by the Head of Education (North) (1) reminding the Committee of the background and purpose of Club 365; (2) informing that over the previous four years, the national funding picture in relation to tackling holiday hunger has evolved with several funding packages being made available to local authorities to support vulnerable and low-income families throughout the pandemic; (3) reporting that, moving out of the pandemic, the Scottish Government has confirmed its intent to continue support in this area with two recent funding announcements, and (4) recognising that the key objectives of Club 365 are now being reflected through national policy initiatives and that the Service will continue to develop the Club 365 offer to support those most in need through the enhanced additional and intensive offers during Summer 2022. Decided: (1) that the content of the report be endorsed, and (2) that the updates of the Club 365 Summer Programme be endorsed. REVIEW OF NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL'S SCHEME OF DEVOLVED SCHOOL MANAGEMENT (DSM) 10. There was submitted a report by the Deputy Chief Executive (1) reminding the Committee that the former Education and Families Committee, at its meeting held on 22 February 2022, had been advised that the Service was reviewing the Council's Scheme of Devolved School Management (DSM) in accordance with national guidelines agreed by the Scottish Government and COSLA; (2) indicating that a key requirement for the Service is to clearly outline the key financial principles which underpin the DSM Scheme and to illustrate how individual school and early year budgets are calculated; (3)
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EDUCATION, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES - 13 SEPTEMBER 2022 128 summarising the proposed Service approach, and (4) advising that DSM Schemes should be reviewed and updated on a regular basis with a recommendation that this review occurs, as a minimum, at least every three years but, given the potential implications of the roll-out of national education policies, the Service will ensure that the Scheme is kept under ongoing scrutiny and that further reports would be submitted to relevant Committees if additional updates or amendments are required. Decided: (1) that the DSM key funding and operating principles, as outlined in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved; (2) that the establishment DSM budget methodologies, as outlined in Appendices 2, 3 and 4 to the report, be approved, and (3) that the additional establishment funding and resource information, as outlined in Appendices 5 and 6 of the report, be approved. REVENUE BUDGET MONITORING REPORT 11. There was submitted a joint report by the Deputy Chief Executive and the Business Finance Manager (Strategy) (1) providing a summary of the financial performance of the Education, Children and Families Service for the period 1 April to 22 July 2022 (Period 4), and (2) illustrating the projected outturn position as at 31 March 2023, with major outturn variances highlighted and explained as per the Council's approved Financial Regulations. Decided: (1) that the financial position of the Education, Children and Families Revenue Budget be noted, and (2) that the contents of the report be noted. ANNUAL BAD DEBT WRITE-OFF EXERCISE 12. There was submitted a report by the Deputy Chief Executive providing a summary of outstanding debtor accounts relating to previous financial years which are deemed uncollectable following all attempts at recovery or are not economically viable to continue pursuing and that, in accordance with financial guidelines, a provision for expected credit losses had previously been established for the outstanding accounts. Decided: (1) that the decision of the Deputy Chief Executive and the Head of Financial Solutions, under delegated responsibilities, to write-off a total of £37,100.83 for debts with a value under £500 be acknowledged; (2) that the write-off of £12,614.07, for all items with a value over £500, be approved, and (3) that the report be remitted to the Finance and Resources Committee.
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EDUCATION, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES - 13 SEPTEMBER 2022 129 CONTRACTS AWARDED BELOW COMMITTEE APPROVAL THRESHOLD 13. There was submitted a report by the Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions notifying the Committee of contracts awarded between 1 January to 30 June 2022 with a value below the financial threshold requiring Committee approval. Decided: that the contracts awarded below Committee approval threshold between 1 January to 30 June 2022, as per the process within the Council's General Contract Standing Orders, be noted