Issue - meetings

(1)       Mr Carter presented a report which informed Members that Kent was soon to be subject to a Joint Area Review (JAR) of Children’s Services, with inspection fieldwork taking place in early 2008.  The JAR aimed to assess how effectively KCC and partners worked together to improve outcomes for Children and Young People, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups.  The outcome of the JAR was critical to Kent’s Corporate Performance Assessment (CPA) outcome, with a score of 3 or better required to maintain the excellent rating.  The report provided information about this process, preparations being made and links to other inspections taking place at the same time.

(2)       In response to a question from a Member Mr Carter stated that according to the guidance from Ofsted on the JAR process, Opposition Members were not involved in the process.  Opposition Members would of course have an involvement in the CPA process which was a much wider exercise.

(3)       That the report be noted and that further updates be submitted to future meetings of the Committee