Agenda and minutes

Cllr Antionette Bramble (Chair) welcomed members to the meeting and gave a brief reminder of etiquette and best practice in remote meetings. The Chair also noted thanks to Baroness Blake for her work as Chair of the Children & Young People Board and also to all members for their work and input.

There were no declarations of interest. Apologies were received from Cllr Sara Rowbotham (LAB).

Decision

Members of the Children & Young People Board approved the note of previous meeting on 16^th March 2021 as an accurate record.

The Chair invited Ian Keating (Principal Policy Adviser) to present the report. Ian noted that the report would be reviewed and updated ahead of the 2021/22 meeting cycle.

In the subsequent discussion, members raised the following points:

-          It was suggested that the priorities could be extended over a longer period, such as two-years, to enable a short-, medium- and long-term focus.

-          A view was expressed that greater reference should be given to post-pandemic recovery plans with specific reference to the role of academic, social and play elements of a summer catch-up programme.

-          SEND funding was seen to be an area of growing pressure for local authorities that should be reflected in forward priorities.

-          A member suggested more specific support for children in care during the transition into adulthood.

Decision

The members of the Children & Young People Board noted the proposed priorities.

Action

Officers to develop priorities in line with comments ahead of the meeting on 14/9/22.

The Chair introduced the item noting the importance of including black history more effectively within the national curriculum.

The Chair welcomed Orlene Badu to give a presentation on Hackney Borough Council’s work to diversify the history curriculum. Orlene noted the following points in the presentation:

-          The model was intended to support the work of teachers, subject leaders, governors and other stakeholders.

-          Orlene emphasised that the work was important in the global context following the Black Lives Matter movement and the ongoing COVID pandemic.

-          The key aims of the Curriculum included:

o   Demystifying de-colonisation.

o   Discussing global awareness

o   Building a sense and understanding of social justice

o   Deepen the literacy of staff, governors and stakeholders

-          The resources being made available included modules and lesson plans were being made available to interested parties that could be integrated within the existing national curriculum at all ages.

-          Part of decolonizing the curriculum was to remove historical gaps and silences from black and ethnic minority groups.

-          The next steps would use feedback to evaluate specific modules and see work with partners on further development.

In the subsequent discussion, members raised the following points:

-          Members commended the aims and approach of the Curriculum

-          In a discussion of how to promote the work further, it was broadly agreed that the LGA should write to the Secretary of State for Education commending the work of Hackney Borough Council and calling for greater efforts to diversify the National Curriculum. The Chair emphasised that this letter should have cross party approval.

-          A question was raised on the consideration of intersectionality and other areas of underrepresentation in the curriculum. Orlene responded that intersectionality had been recognised and further development work was taking place.

-          A member questioned the training process for teachers and whether specialist or consultancy support was needed. Orlene explained that she had personally conducted much of the training on specific elements and creating lessons plans.

-          It was suggested that specific feedback should be sought on the views and support of teachers for the diverse curriculum.

Action

Officers to prepare a letter to the Department for Education and Children’s Services Lead Members across London.

The Chair noted that a joint meeting with Community Wellbeing Board members would be taking place on 15/6/21 with Andrea Leadsom MP who is leading review.

The Chair invited Vanessa Lucas (Adviser) to introduce the report. In the summary, Vanessa noted the following points:

-          The Review focuses on factors impacting healthy development for 0-2 year olds. 

-          Explained that the LGA is lobbying for greater NHS involvement on health outcomes.

-          A number of early actions had been identified for local authorities. that local authorities would need additional resources to meet the early recommendations.

In the subsequent discussion members raised the following points:

-          Members emphasised the importance of effective collaboration between local authorities children’s services and Integrated Care Systems. Establishing closer collaboration between Directors of Public Health and Children’s Services was also recommended.

-          Different views were presented on the mandation of Start to Life support. While it was highlighted as a means of securing dedicated funding it was also suggested that such could be problematic.

-          It was suggested that pre- and post-natal mental health should be given consideration, given it’s impact on outcomes by age-16.

-          Members emphasised the importance of local discretion and flexibility in delivering services and appointing a lead officer.

Decision

The members of the Children & Young People Board noted the report.

Action

Officers to proceed in line with members comments.

The Chair invited Bushra Jamil (Adviser) to introduce the report. In the summary, Bushra noted the following points:

-          The  paper provided  an update on project’s progress and an  action plan.

-          There was also an update on the progress of negotiations with the Department for Education and the funding proposal  and further plans ahead of the Spending Review.

-          The final report was launched at a webinar on the role of local government in supporting a jobs and skills recovery  in May 2021.

In the subsequent discussion, members raised the following points:

-          Transport in rural areas was raised as an area for greater consideration. It was felt that limited services were preventing many young people from reach education, work or training.

-          A question arose on point 14 about conducting roundtable discussions with NEET young people. Bushra explained that such had been planned but were cancelled due to the COVID pandemic.

-          A view was expressed that coordination was needed to link up effective localised and regional programmes taking place.

-          The Chair suggested dedicated support was needed for key transitional points  in young people’s lives.

Decision

The members of the Children & Young People Board:

-          Noted the summary findings of the project; and

-          Noted the DfE consultation paper.

Action

Officers to proceed in line with members comments.

The Chair welcomed Dame Rachel de Souza (Children’s Commissioner for England) to the meeting and invited her to discuss the Big Ask. In the subsequent presentation Dame Rachel raised the following points;

-          The nationwide survey had received more than 550,000  responses from children of all ages on what they wanted and needed to build successful futures. Securing responses from children from vulnerable backgrounds had been a particular focus.

-          The Big Ask sought to create a 10-year plan with in-built metrics and deliverables to overhaul and remove barriers stopping children from reaching their full potential.

-          The national survey highlighted a broad range of issues concerning children;

o   Mental health was raised regularly in relation to lockdown. Highlighted most regularly by girls from 14-17 years old, but mentioned across all ages and genders.

o   The Digital Divide was also heavily noted, particularly by those from less privileged and vulnerable backgrounds.

o   Family strain and stress on parental relationships was a common response.

o   Children in the care system  raised concerns with the backlog in court dates impacting on care decisions.

o   Academic stress and exams were a common concern.

o   The economy, environment, physical health, work experience opportunities and a range of specific local concerns (such as access to a park) were also mentioned.

-          While a range of concerns were raised most children were optimistic about their outcomes. 40% of respondents highlighted at least one significant concern. Some children from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds faced multiple major challenges and required urgent targeted support.

In the subsequent discussion, members raised the following points:

-          Members noted that children needed to be given a voice and stake in decisions affecting them. An example was given by the Chair of including children on school governing boards.

-          A question arose on how representative the sample of 550,000 responses was across different regions and authority areas. Rachel explained that the sample covered 7-8% of all under-18s in England and all local authority areas were covered. Local authorities had been key partners in increasing response rates where they had initially lagged. Moving forward the data would be made available to local authorities and a range of Government departments.

-          A question arose on the capacity of children to catch-up on missed schooling and social opportunities. Rachel responded that respondents had broadly shown a high level of optimism about post-COVID recovery. She added that mental health support would be a key aspect of the process.

-          Concerns were raised around the attainment gap for children in social care and what recommendations would be made to address it. Rachel explained that recommendations might include automatic access to Universal Credit and housing for care leavers alongside an extension on CAMHS provision. She added that children felt the lack of consistent and long-term contact with a single support officer was damaging.

-          In response to a question on the engagement with students in Pupil Referral Units, Rachel explained that students had been engaged. She added it was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.