Democracy | Children’s Services Cabinet Member – Minutes

Children’s Services Cabinet Member – Minutes – 27 April 2016

34 (34) OFSTED INSPECTION OUTCOMES FOR SCHOOLS IN NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE – The Director of People submitted a report updating the Cabinet Member on the new Ofsted inspection framework for schools and academies, which came into force on 1 September 2015, and informing the Cabinet Member of the outcomes of the full (Section 5) inspections of Outwood Academy Foxhills and Wootton St Andrews CE Primary School.

A new Ofsted framework for schools came into force on 1 September 2015. The main change from the previous framework was the introduction of short (Section 8) inspections, once every three years, for schools whose overall effectiveness was judged to be good at their last Section 5 inspection.

Resolved – That the Cabinet Member writes to the Head Teacher or Chair of Governors of the schools regarding the outcome of their inspection.

35 (35) PERMISSION TO OPEN CONSULTATION REGARDING THE NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE EDUCATION PLAN: ALL OUR CHILDREN – 2020 – The Director of People submitted a report seeking approval to commence a six week consultation on the North Lincolnshire Education Plan: All our Children – 2020.

The current North Lincolnshire Education Strategy for Schools entitled ‘All our Children’ was first approved in October 2013, with the actions refreshed in August 2014. At a time of significant change within the education sector, the education strategy provided a unifying and ambitious vision for improving outcomes for children and young people in North Lincolnshire.

The development and implementation of the original ‘All our Children’ plan corresponded with a marked improvement in both the quality of provision and the quality of educational outcomes for children and young people in North Lincolnshire. Notable achievements in the three years to the summer 2015 results were set out in the report.

The refreshed North Lincolnshire Strategy ‘Aspiring People, Inspiring Places’ reaffirmed the council’s priorities for safeguarding children, for improving health and well-being and for improving skills and education outcomes. These priorities had informed the development of an outcomes framework for children and young people that the new version of the Education plan had been produced against, committing education providers to ensuring that children and young people:

felt safe and were safe
enjoyed good health and emotional wellbeing
recognised and achieved their potential.

Resolved – That the proposal to commence a six week consultation on the North Lincolnshire Education Plan: All our Children – 2020, be approved.

36 (36) OFSTED INSPECTION OUTCOMES FOR SCHOOLS IN NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE – The Director of People submitted a report updating the Cabinet Member on the new Ofsted inspection framework for schools and academies, which came into force on 1 September 2015, and informing the Cabinet Member of the outcomes of the full (Section 5) inspections of New Holland CE and Methodist Primary School and Althorpe and Keadby Primary School and the short (Section 8) inspection of Winterton Community Academy.

Resolved – That the Cabinet Member writes to the Head Teacher or Chair of Governors of the schools regarding the outcome of their inspection.

The corresponding reports of the following items (Minutes 37 to 39 refer) contain exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

37 (37) HOME A CHILDREN’S HOME – OFSTED INSPECTION OUTCOME 2016 – The Director of People submitted a report updating the Cabinet Member on the outcome of the recent Ofsted Inspection of Home A Children’s Home.

The Ofsted unannounced inspection took place under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complied with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations including the quality standards.

A full inspection was carried out usually at least once annually. The inspection was conducted against the grade criteria and would result in a set of graded judgments. The inspector would normally be on site for up to two days.

The report set out full details of the inspection.

Resolved – (a) That the Ofsted Inspection outcomes for Home A be noted, and (b) that the Cabinet Member writes to the Registered Manager of Home A regarding the outcome of their inspection.

38 (38) HOME B CHILDREN’S HOME – OFSTED INSPECTION OUTCOME 2016 – The Director of People submitted a report updating the Cabinet Member on the outcome of the recent Ofsted Inspection of Home B Children’s Home.

The Ofsted inspection took place under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complied with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations including the quality standards.

Since the full inspection an interim inspection was carried out on 14 March 2016, full details of the inspection were set out in the report.

Resolved – (a) That the Ofsted Inspection outcomes for Home B be noted, and (b) that the Cabinet Member writes to the Registered Manager of Home B regarding the outcome of their inspection.

39 (39) REGRADING OF SENIOR SUPPORT OFFICER POST FOLLOWING RE-EVALUATION – The Director of People submitted a report seeking approval of the regrade of the Senior Support Officer post.

The post of Senior Support Officer was responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of support to children and their families open to Children’s Social Work Services.

Since the establishment of the post, the responsibilities of the Senior Support Officer had increased, particularly in the management and oversight of the staff within the team. The post had therefore been subject to re-evaluation to consider the additional duties.

Full details, including financial implications, were set out in the report.

Resolved – That Option 1, as set out in the paragraph 3.1 of the report, be approved.