Agenda item

Craig Chapman (Interim Deputy Director for Education: Access and Inclusion) was in attendance for the item:

1.The officer discussed the following:

a)    The Chair asked that the report be noted as read and suggested taking questions directly from Members.

2. In response to comments and questions it was said:

a)    Following concerns raised regarding a number of indicators recorded as amber or red within Dover district, officers advised that further analysis would be undertaken and discussed with Members outside the meeting in order to better understand the specific factors influencing local performance.

b)    In response to questions relating to requests for Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) statutory assessments, officers confirmed that the indicator measured requests for statutory assessment and explained that the process determined whether an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) should be issued. Members were further advised that information relating to the number of plans declined and tribunal outcomes was available and could be provided to Members. Members also suggested that numbers be provided in the detail in addition to the existing percentage metric.

c)    Officers agreed to provide the underlying numerical data supporting Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET) percentage figures. Members were advised that monthly reporting information containing detailed local data was already produced and could be circulated to Members.

d)    Concerns regarding workforce capacity and increasing caseloads were raised, officers advised that staffing levels were affected by seasonal recruitment patterns and explained that newly qualified social workers (50-60) were expected to join the service during the autumn as professional registration requirements were completed. Officers highlighted the continued use of graduate recruitment pathways, apprenticeships and frontline social work. Officers acknowledged the national challenges affecting social worker recruitment and retention.

e)    In response to questions regarding NEET performance, officers advised that a number of factors contributed to poorer outcomes in certain areas, including educational attainment, barriers associated with travel to learning opportunities, and limited post-16 provision capacity. Officers outlined ongoing work through the Pathways for All programme and wider partnerships with colleges and training providers aimed at increasing opportunities and reducing barriers to participation.

f)      The Chair suggested potential online options be explored to mitigate some of the issues impacting NEET. Officers highlighted that some providers already offer this option and the complex nature of DfE funding and KCC involvement with the regional improvement team pilot.

g)    A Member raised concerns on the NEET statistics for Canterbury and when interventions would start to be in and show a positive impact. Officers acknowledged the concern and suggested that this potentially be encompassed with the ongoing Marmot projects being explored.

h)    The Committee was advised that the work could bring additional capacity, resources and provision for young people who were not in education, employment or training. Particular attention was being given to the decline in attendance and continuation between Years 12 and 13. It was noted that Canterbury may experience greater challenges in this area due to the size of Canterbury College, which could result in higher numbers of students leaving education before completing Year 13. Members discussed this trend and agreed that Year 13 retention appeared to be a particular area of concern. The officer confirmed that the issue would continue to be monitored and explored with education partners.

i)      Officers confirmed that work remained underway to develop a Family Hub performance scorecard and that a further update would be provided when development had progressed.

j)      In response to concerns regarding specialist placements, officers advised that decisions relating to independent and out-of-county placements were governed by statutory requirements and parental preference. Members were informed that increasing specialist capacity within Kent remained a priority, but that historic placement decisions and sustained demand continued to influence current performance figures.

k)    Advised that implementation of the Families First for Children (FFC) reforms would result in a revised operating model and allow a broader workforce to support children and families. Officers anticipated that the reforms would contribute to improved caseload management over time.

l)      In response to questions regarding artificial intelligence (AI), officers confirmed that digital technologies were already supporting administrative functions and note-taking activity. However, Members were advised that professional judgement and direct engagement with children and families remained essential elements of social work practice and could not be replaced by technology.

m)  Members discussed rationales for non-attending students. The Committee was advised that schools had a responsibility to investigate and address pupil absence, including undertaking first-day contact procedures when a child did not attend school as expected. The officer explained that first-day contact procedures were an important safeguarding measure, enabling schools to establish the reason for a pupil's absence and ensure their welfare.

n)    Members were informed that schools were expected to have robust arrangements in place to engage with parents and carers where attendance was a concern and to support improvements in regular attendance. The officer outlined the role of the local authority's attendance service in supporting schools where non-attendance continued.

o)    It was explained that the service worked with families to address barriers to attendance and improve engagement with education. Where appropriate, formal interventions could be considered, including the issuing of penalty notices or legal proceedings against parents where attendance failed to improve.

p)    The Committee noted that attendance continued to be a significant area of focus for schools and inspectors following the COVID-19 pandemic. The officer advised that attendance levels had not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels and that schools were expected to demonstrate that they had taken all reasonable steps to improve attendance.

q)    Questions were raised concerning care leavers, officers advised that staffing shortages and resource constraints continued to affect service delivery. It was explained that recruitment challenges remained a significant factor affecting performance within elements of the care leaver service

r)     Officers advised that previous Educational Psychology capacity issues had now been resolved and that improvements within the Educational Psychology service were beginning to have a positive impact on Education, Health and Care Plan timeliness performance.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.