Agenda item

The Corporate Director of Children, Education and Communities, the Assistant Director of Children’s Services and the Assistant Director of Education and Skills will provide the Committee with a presentation on the development of children’s and educational services moving forward from the Covid 19 pandemic.     

Members received a presentation on the development of children’s and educational services moving forward from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Corporate Director of Children, Education and Communities, the Assistant Director of Children’s Services and the Assistant Director of Education and Skills were in attendance to provide an update on:

·        Increased referrals / sufficiency within City of York Council& partners

·        Impact of new ways of working

·        Preparing for Inspection

·        Free School Meals delivery

·        Plans for September / Lessons Learnt

·        Covid Recovery Curriculum

·        Supporting Blended Learning

The Corporate Director confirmed officers had been working with partners to develop an overarching approach and principles for recovery and had agreed 4 underpinning areas of focus:

·        Provision for vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people.

·        The wellbeing of children, young people and adults.

·        Supporting children and young people’s transitions to and back to education.

·        Provision, curriculum, teaching and blended learning.

The Assistant Director of Children’s Services highlighted the impact of Covid on children, young people and families and Members noted that across all parts of the service there had been rise and demand in all areas of social work.  Officers were undertaking a review of all demands, and despite Covid, visits to children and families had increased.

Members noted that during the pandemic:

·        There had been a 100% rise in early help referrals and a 17.5% rise in active targeted help support cases held by the Local Area Teams.

·        The number of looked after children had risen by 40 to 282, a 28% increase from July 2019 and a 38% increase since July 2018.

·        Referrals from schools had increased from 2.24% to 12.24% and police referrals equated to 29.25%.

·        Recruitment of staff had continued and social work practice had developed.

·        A learning log was maintained by staff and the key findings showed that the impact of Covid on some families and children was high and would be long lasting.

·        Officers had bi weekly meetings with partners and training for staff and families had been delivered virtually.

·        Staff wellbeing had been monitored and sickness levels had reduced.

·        York was one of four local authorities involved in a recent research project study on child protection, social distancing and risks from Covid.

·        15 local authorities were examining arrangements that were introduced during the period of Covid to understand the impact and the legacy that it might mean for families and officers.

·        Officers continued to prepare for inspection.

Members thanked the Assistant Director for her update and in answer to their questions she confirmed:

·        An update on looked after children would be provided to the Children, Education and Communities Policy and Scrutiny Committee.

·        On average caseloads within early help was around 22 per practitioner.

·        An early help strategy was being finalised.

·        Officers maintained close contact with the most vulnerable children.

·        Foster Carer recruitment had continued and any expressions of interest were welcomed and responded to quickly.

The Assistant Director of Education and Skills was in attendance to provide an update on her service area, where it was noted that:

·        The January census showed that 2699 children were eligible for free school meals and that schools across the city made use of the national voucher scheme.

·        The Government had extended the national voucher scheme to cover the full school holiday period and the Holiday Hunger project also continued. The Trussell Trust York Foodbank had also offered additional support during the summer holiday period and schools had a discretion to extend free school meals to those that were in financial hardship.

·        Headteachers were fully committed to a full opening of all schools from 7th September 2020.

·        The Department for Education had published a revised guidance to support the full opening of schools and this was being used by headteachers in the city to update risk assessments and develop operational plans for September.

·        Officers were working with schools to update their travel plans to encourage walking and cycling where possible.

·        The Research School had developed training for schools on developing an effective catch up provision.

·        Officers were gathering case studies of best practice from settings and schools to capture the learning from lockdown.

·        Planning for blended learning remained a priority building on the learning about what works.

Members acknowledged the quality of partnership working and the immense time and effort schools had dedicated to ensuring all settings would be safe and welcoming. In answer to Members questions it was noted that:

·        The community hubs also continued to provide food provisions over the summer holiday period.

·        Each school had its own dedicated transport plan to ensure robust health and safety measures were in place.

·         A back to school communication plan had been devised with messages on traveling to and from school being issued online and to all parents.

·        Schools would work closely with any parents or pupils who were anxious about the return to school.

Members thanked all officers for their update and for the work they had achieved during the pandemic and it was recognised that the local authority was committed to ensuring children’s wellbeing was a high priority in the recovery plan.

Resolved:  That the update be noted.

Reason: To keep the Committee updated on the development of children’s and educational services moving forward from the Covid-19 pandemic

[An adjournment took place at 19:10 until 19:18]