Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors S. Davies and R. James.  Furthermore, the Chair reported that Cllr G. Davies, Cabinet Member for Education and Children would not be in attendance at the meeting.

There were no declarations of prohibited party whips.  

The Chair advised that no public questions had been received in accordance with Council Procedure Rules.

In accordance with the School Engagement Programme agreed by Committee at its meeting on 30^th November 2021, a report was presented to members which detailed the school preparedness for, and the implementation of the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act. 

The Committee was provided with an overview of the array of measures taken by the Authority to prepare for the introduction of Additional Learning Needs (ALN) system.  In this regard, a synopsis of the engagement undertaken with schools to date was provided to the Committee in order to facilitate the delivery of a fully inclusive education system for learners in Carmarthenshire, and which would ensure that the needs of learners are identified early and addressed quickly, and where all learners are supported to reach their potential.

The Committee then received a presentation from the school representatives which focussed upon the school’s transition to the new system which aimed to provide a fair and inclusive educational structure and derive improved outcomes for children and young people with ALN. The key points covered within the presentation included:

• The ALN system sought to transform the separate approaches for special educational needs to create a unified system for supporting learners from 0 to 25years.

• The cross-cutting education reform principles emanating from National guidelines and regulations enabled opportunities for change which aimed to provide:

·       equality of access;

·       personalised ‘person centred’ learning;

·       a focus on wellbeing, with high quality, balanced and structured teaching and meaningful assessment, with a move away from statistics;

·       inclusive school ethos to ensure a safe, supportive, stimulating learning environment;

·       a culture of collaboration.

• The ALN system would be underpinned by a mandatory ALN Code which placed the views, wishes and feelings of learners at the heart of the process of planning the support required, which would subsequently enable them to learn effectively and achieve their full potential.

• A phased approach would be taken to replace Statements of Special Educational Needs with Individual Development Plans (IDPs) which would set out a description of a child or young person’s ALN.

• The concept of good universal teaching, in addition to bespoke interventions, and a need to embrace the new curriculum and strategies to support every pupil was considered to be of paramount importance to meet the requirements of the Act.

• The Additional Learning Needs Coordinator (ALNCo) would play a key strategic role in every school.

A number of observations and queries were addressed, as follows:

In response to a query regarding the role of parents and guardians in the development of IDPs, the School Representatives detailed the communication methods utilised to raise awareness of the new system.  The Committee was informed that parents and guardians were placed at the heart of the process, by way of effective and regular communication with the school, in order to ensure appropriate provisions and adjustments to support the needs of children and young people with ALN.  The Committee was assured to note that the process was working well to date, with parents  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

[NOTE: Cllr E. Schiavone having earlier declared an interest in this item remained in the meeting for its consideration].

The Committee received for consideration a report which set out the collaborative arrangements for the establishment of ‘PARTNERIAETH’, a regional consortium designed to promote excellence, and which served the schools within Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Swansea. 

The Committee thereupon received a presentation from the Lead Officer of PARTNERIAETH, which detailed the staffing structure, priorities, functions and funding mechanisms required to deliver its aims and objectives.  It was highlighted that the regional consortium was based on a vision of a partnership working on behalf of the respective Local Authorities and which contributed to the improvement in the performance of the schools within the consortium and the education of children and young people.   Committee’s attention was drawn to the business plan for 2022/23, which demonstrated how PARTNERIAETH would support each Local Authority priorities, facilitated by dedicated Senior Strategic Advisors and which was also aligned to National priorities.

A number of observations and queries were addressed, as follows:

A concern was raised that the new regional consortiummay have a limited positive impact on schools and therefore would not improve upon the performance of the previous ‘ERW’ regime, particularly in light of the reduced staffing structure which equated to 26.8 full-time posts. 

Assurances was provided to the Committee that the PARTNERIAETH consortiumfocussed upon a cohesive partnership approach, with strong lines of communication and performance monitoring to address the needs of schools.  As an example, a leadership programme was being developed in accordance with the Authority’s priority area in respect of leadership skills.

In response to a query, the Lead Officer for PARTNERIAETH clarified that regular scrutiny would be undertaken to monitor and review the delivery of the consortium’saims and objectives.  An emphasis was placed on collaboration as a key area of strength, whereby the system was developed and structured on a partnership basis.

Reference was made to the staffing structure whereby a member queried whether further resource was required to deliver a high-quality level of support akin to the sterling service provided by the Challenge Advisors.  The Director of Education and Children's Services confirmed that the staffing structure was deemed appropriate to meet the aims and objectives of the consortium and would be periodically reviewed in accordance with succession planning protocols to ensure that the skillset of employees addressed support requirements. 

In response to concerns raised regarding duplication of work, it was explained that co-construction, with clear lines of communication, was a key priority, which would enable the utilisation of identified skillsets within the consortium to provide an improved provision to schools.

A member highlighted that the differing priorities across the Authorities within the consortiumcould potentially lead to some Authorities drawing upon more resources and support than others and enquired how this imbalance would be redressed.  The Director of Education and Children's Services recognised that pressures from different areas would emerge at different times, however it was emphasised that regular and clear  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

[NOTE: V. Kenny having earlier declared an interest in this item remained in the meeting for its consideration].

The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the Authority’s position in respect of the contacts and referrals, pressures and demands within the Children’s Services division.

Members were reminded that a report had been presented to the Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 8^th July 2021 and it was therefore considered timely to provide updated information on the current situation regarding the increase in the volume of work within the division; the challenges faced and the potential need for additional resource.

The report detailed the remit and structure of the Children’s Services division and set out pertinent information to the Committee in respect of the staffing levels and the processes followed by the Central Referral Team (CRT), Assessment Team and Long-term Child Care Teams, to deal with cases.  Furthermore, the report referred to the preventative services provided by the division, including the Flying Start and Families First initiatives and also referred to a new structure implemented in response to the increase in Electively Home Educated (EHE) children.

The report showed an increase in contacts since the onset of the pandemic, though it was noted that the number of referrals had decreased during 2021/22 which may have been attributable to the Preventative Services having reverted to the provision of  face to face support with the easement of coronavirus restrictions.

A number of observations and queries were addressed, as follows:

Committee referred to the ongoing National recruitment crisis and concerns were raised regarding the risks presented to the Authority in light of the difficulties in appointing social workers.  The Service Manager provided members with a synopsis of the array of measures implemented to mitigate those risks, including an ongoing review which sought to enhance the salary of social workers to bring the rate of pay in line with other Authorities, and the recruitment of suitably qualified social workers from overseas.  The Director of Education and Children’s Services referred to the favourable working conditions within the Authority, therefore it was pleasing to note that the retention of employees was not an area for concern.  Furthermore, the high-quality service maintained by the division, who were required to deal with complex issues, was commended by the Director of Education and Children’s Services and Committee members.

DURATION OF MEETING

During the consideration of this item, the Committee’s attention was drawn to Corporate Procedure Rule 9 – Duration of meeting and the fact the meeting had been underway for nearly three hours. It was therefore:

RESOLVED that Corporate Procedure Rule 9 be suspended to enable the remaining items on the agenda to be considered.

A concern was raised that not all Electively Home Educated (EHE) children had received a statutory annual home visit from the Authority.  The Director of Education and Children's Services reported that additional funding had been provided by the Welsh Government which would address the increase in the level of demand placed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Committee received a report which detailed the progress achieved in relation to requests or referrals emerging from previous meetings during the 2021/22 municipal year.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the report be received.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 28^th January 2022 be signed as a correct record.