Agenda item

To consider and comment on the update of issues and priorities across Children’s Services.

The Board noted the following current key issues and priorities within Children’s Services:-

·      In January 2023, Ofsted had launched a new framework for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities services area inspections.   The new framework incorporated priorities in relation to whole system working and integration, which reflected Priorities 3 and for of the Board.

·      A borough-wide campaign had been launched to strengthen and improve attendance and address the persistent absence rates across Sandwell. Addressing attendance would contribute to improved educational outcomes and fulfil Priority 4 of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

·      Sandwell was one of 55 Education Investment Areas and one of 24 Priority Investment Areas launched by the Department of Education to address poor educational attainment across all phases. £2.9million had been ringfenced. Sandwell currently sat just below the national average for attainment in all phases of education. This work would contribute to Priority 4.

·      Sandwell was one of 75 Local Authorities named in the government roll out of the Best Start in Life Family Hubs programme and had been awarded £4.4million.  This programme would contribute to the achievement of Priorities 3 and 4.  An implementation plan had been approved by the Department for Education and governance arrangements were in place.

·      The youth service was undertaking a service review / redesign, which would include the delivery of targeted outreach services to combat community priorities at a six towns level. Replacement youth buses would provide a reliable offer and promote opportunities for young people to engage with youth workers and partners.

·      Sandwell had seen a 51% increase in the number of children and young people with education, health and care plans (EHCP) and this figure was projected to rise. Work was underway with a range of partners to develop a systematic approach to address this, contributing to Priorities 3 4 of the Board.

In response to questions from members, the following points were clarified:-

·      A national register was being developed by the Department for Education for children who were electively home educated. A proportion of those children who were electively home educated had poor attainment and there were safeguarding issues for some, so this was a high priority.

·      Lifestyle changes since the pandemic had resulted in an increase in the number of children electively home educated. A national register would allow the Council to work with families to push key messages and drive attainment.

·      Since reforms in 2014 there had been a big increase in the number of children reporting social, emotional and mental health needs and diagnoses of Autistic Spectrum Disorder. There was too much reliance on out of borough placements so work was taking place across the partnership to ensure that all needs could be met in Sandwell, however, the system needed to remain flexible to adapt to ever-changing needs.

·      The number of children eligible for free school meals had increased significantly.  Financial support was in place to help with the cost of school uniforms and Early Help helped with some practical things.  Financial struggles were often linked with poor attendance and consequently poor attainment.

·      Those poor attenders who had caring responsibilities that the local authority was aware of were registered, and the Council worked with the Young Carer’s Association to ensure that they could access appropriate support.