Agenda and minutes

The Board noted the apologies listed at Appendix A.

No declarations of interest were made.

Sir Kevan Collins, Chief Executive of the Education Endowment Foundation, will be attending to present to the CYP Board.

The Chair welcomed Sir Kevan Collins to the meeting of the Children and Young People Board. Sir Kevan Collins presented to the Board on the work of the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF.) In particular he highlighted the role of the EEF as an independent charity dedicated to raising the attainment of 3-18 year-olds. He also raised the importance of discussion with Members on the wide ranging pieces of work the EEF are undertaking with the Department of Education.

In the discussion with Members which followed, the following points were raised;

·         Of particular relevance to their work, Sir Kevan brought the Boards attention to the evidence of the relationship between attainment and socio economic background.

·         Sir Kevan also highlighted the variability in attainment between regions.

·         Sir Kevan explained to the Board that the work of the EEF took an evidence based approach with a focus on narrowing the attainment gap. 

·         He also raised that the importance of building more capacity for better systems to be put in place.

·         He expressed a view that the required solution to narrowing the attainment gap would not be a structural solution but would instead be a teaching and a learning solution.

·         Sir Kevan raised that any evidence generated by local authorities in this field would be valuable for the EEF.

·         The Boards attention was drawn to the Research Schools Network, a partnership between the EEF & the IEE, which now includes 23 Research Schools which provide school-led support for the use of evidence to improve teaching practice.

·         He also advised that the EEF was keen to work with partners to better mobilise their evidence.

·         Regarding pilot areas for EEF funded projects Sir Kevan advised that where a local project is brought to their attention and shown to be functioning they would consider that area to pilot their work. He particularly emphasised that they would look into whether a project can scale.

·         In response to a concern raised, Sir Kevan advised he didn’t find there were occurrences of some schools being more receptive that others.

·         Regarding a query into EEF engagement with local authorities Sir Kevan explained they were always happy to receive ideas from local authorities and found them great partners in enabling closer work with schools.

The Chair expressed his gratitude to Sir Kevan Collin for speaking to the Board. He emphasised the importance of engaging with the EEF as a valuable partner and resource with a critical role in the co-ordination and dissemination of projects to raise attainment of 3-18 year olds nationally.

Nasima Patel, Adviser, introduced the report to the Children and Young People Board  on the current activities in relation to children’s mental health, updating members of work in this area to date.

The following points were raised by Members in response to the update:

·         A concern was raised that the mental health issues prevalent in asylum seeking children, such as the impact of trauma and bereavement, need to be given further attention.

·         A view was expressed that a statutory duty to schools as well as greater accountability as to how new funding towards children’s mental health is used would be critical going forwards.

·         A member raised the importance on local authorities working with child line and the NSPCC.

·         Concerns were raised as to issues with the current workforce available to support children and young people’s mental health services.

Decision

The Children and Young People Board noted the activities detailed in the report.

Action

Officers to take forward future work while incorporating the steer given by the Children and Young People Board.

The note of the previous meeting was agreed.

The Chairman welcomed Luke Tregidgo from Newton Europe. Luke gave a confidential update from Newton Europe’s research into the question of “what drives variation in spend on Children’s Services between local authorities?”.

Board members discussed the latest emerging findings and provided steer to the officers  ahead of the final stage of the work.

Decision

Members discussed and noted the work undertaken by Newton Europe to date.

Action

Officers to incorporate the Boards steer into work going forwards.

Ian Dean, Senior Adviser, introduce a confidential paper around the interagency fee levels for adoption placements for the 2018-19 financial year.

A confidential discussion with the Board followed.