Children’s Services Cabinet Member – minutes – 15 October 2008

81(30) OFSTED INSPECTIONS – The Service Director Learning, Schools and Communities submitted a report on the outcome of Ofsted inspections at the following schools:

  • West Butterwick Primary School
  • Goxhill Primary School
  • Crowle Primary School, and
  • Parkwood Primary School

The schools had been inspected as part of the routine Ofsted inspection cycle of schools. Full copies of the reports had been placed in the political group offices.

Resolved – (a) That approval be given to continue supporting improvements in the schools inspected above, and (b) that the Cabinet Member writes to the schools and makes suitable comments on the reports.

82 (31) APPOINTMENT OF LOCAL AUTHORITY SCHOOL GOVERNORS – The Service Director Children, Strategy and Partnerships submitted a report seeking approval of the appointment of Local Education Authority (LEA) School Governors.

Resolved – (a) That the following persons be appointed LEA School Governors on the schools listed, subject to the relevant CRB checks:

Althorpe and Keadby Primary Mr R W Podmore
Brumby Engineering College Mr A J Kennedy
Huntcliff School Mr N Poole
South Ferriby Primary Mrs C Tims
Winteringham Primary Mr L S Railton
83 (32) CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S SERVICE ANNUAL STATUTORY COMPLAINTS REPORT 2007-08 – The Service Director Children, Strategy and Partnerships submitted a report presenting the annual report on formal complaints received by Children, Strategy and Partnerships in 2007/08.

A report detailing complaints made about Children, Strategy and Partnerships that had been dealt with under statutory procedures was produced annually. There had been a 29 percent reduction in the volume of complaints over the previous year. In relation to the level of service the number of complaints received was low, at just over three percent of service users.

The complaints procedure that applied to Children, Strategy and Partnerships was governed by the Children Act 1989 and by guidance laid down by the Department of Health. The Adoption and Children Act (2002) amended the Children Act 1989 and required councils to make arrangements for the provision of advocacy services for ‘care leavers’, ‘looked after’ children and ‘children in need’ who may wish to make a complaint about the services they had received. The Children Act 1989 Representations Procedure (England) Regulations 2006 further amended the procedure, and guidance to this procedure produced by the Department of Education and Skills, came into force on 1 September 2006. The annual report was compiled in accordance with this legislation and guidance. It outlined complaints made and key actions taken by the services in response to them. It also contained information about how Children, Strategy and Partnerships made sure that the data from complaints was used to improve services and developments that would take place in the coming year.

Resolved – That the Annual Report on complaints for 2007/08 be received.

84 (33) CREATION OF POST TEAM MANAGER (SEN) DELETION OF POST SENIOR SEN ADVISOR – The Service Director Children, Strategy and Partnerships submitted a report seeking approval for the creation of the post of Team Manager (SEN) and the deletion of the post of Senior SEN Advisor.

Children and Young People’s Services had been realigned, as part of this alignment the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Statementing Team is now within the management responsibility of Children and Family Services. The team undertook the council statutory duty to process, finalise and review statements of SEN. Historically, the management of this had been undertaken by a Senior SEN Advisor.

Within the new organisational arrangements, it was appropriate that the Statementing Team was managed at an operational level with a manager graded at a level commensurate with operational duties. Therefore it was relevant and more cost effective to create a Team Manager to deliver this rather than a specialist advisor.

Resolved – (a) That the creation of the post of Team Manager (SEN) be endorsed, (b) that the deletion of the post of Senior Advisor SEN be endorsed, and (c) that the report be forwarded to the Corporate Services Cabinet Member for approval.

The following items contain exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

85 (34) REGRADING OF PARENT PARTNERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER – The Service Director Children, Strategy and Partnerships submitted a report seeking approval for the regrading of the post of Parent Partnership Manager.

It was a statutory requirement under the Education Act 1996 for a Parent Partnership Service to be provided. The Service provided a free, confidential and impartial support service for the parent and carers of children or young people aged 0-19 with additional or special educational needs. The Service aimed to promote positive relationships between parents/carers, schools, the council and other agencies. It also encouraged parental participation in the planning and delivery of services.

Due to the increased responsibilities of the post, it was regrading in November 2007. The post grade was commensurate with the increase in complexity and expectations of the post.

Resolved – (a) That the proposal to regrade the post of Parent Partnership Manager be endorsed, and (b) that the report be forwarded to the Corporate Services Cabinet Member for approval.

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Where there is no report this is because it is exempt, as it contains information which is considered to be of a confidential nature, as detailed in the Local Government (Access to Information) Act.