LGA Governance


Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Zoom

Contact: Richard Kember  07786 542 754 / Email: richard.kember@local.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Welcome, Apologies & Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

Cllr Judith Blake (Chair, LGA Children & Young People Board) welcomed members and children services lead members to the meeting.

 

The following apologies were received: Cllr Susie Charles, Cllr Judy Jennings, Cllr Phil Norrey

 

There were no declarations of interest.

 

2.

Understanding and learning from responses to the COVID-19 lockdown in schools and children's social care pdf icon PDF 348 KB

Presentation from Isos Partnership.

Minutes:

The Chair introduced the item, noting that it encompasses much of the Board’s recent work. Natalie Parish and Ben Bryant (Isos Partnership) were invited to discuss the research in more detail. In their presentation Natalie and Ben raised the following points:

 

-          The research is intended to provide feedback on the specific challenges faced by schools and local authorities and understand the implications of the steps taken in response. Discussed the core aims.

-          Natalie provided an overview of the project timeline and methodology, from inception in September 2020 through to publication of findings in January 2021. Eight local authorities spread across geographic, socio-economic, school type and COVID severity were invited to take part in the project across three phases. The authorities engaged with were: Gateshead, Leicester City, Swindon, Stockport, Brent, Staffordshire, Hackney, Lincolnshire.

-          The initial fieldwork phase has met with Directors of Children’s Services. The next steps will seek engagement with school leaders, social workers, elected members and parents.

-          From the consultation with authorities, three main phases have been identified in the response:

o   Initial Response: Encompassed risk assessment, partnership building, establishing communications routines and setting up leadership systems.

o   Adaptation Phase: Which saw changes to communications plans, enhancing partnerships, planning for the next term and handling more regular day-to-day business (i.e. recruitment).

o   New Normal:  Supporting return of all pupils to schools, rapid response plans and planning for increased levels of demand.

-          DSC’s highlighted factors that determined the success of their local response. Generally speaking, the response was best where schools and local authorities enjoyed strong pre-existing relationship, understood mutual expectations and had confidence in their respective leadership & delivery systems. Others highlighted that the pandemic had facilitated the rebuilding of previously poor relationships.

-          Ben discussed the challenges raised by DSC’s and the lessons that have been learned;

o   National and Local Tensions: Frustration around lack of engagement with local govt and failure to tap into existing expertise. 

o   Focus on care, less on quality of learning: Emphasis shift to local delivery of support to vulnerable children and families. Balance needed between delivering support, access to education and a suitable standard of education.

o   Partnership-based decision making: Some positive experiences detailed on governance and working across multi-agency projects. Other evidence of frustration around the barriers between different aspects of children’s services.

o   System Fatigue: Risk of system fatigue was raised by several DSCs. Concern that staff resilience and public engagement could elapse with continued extensions to social distancing measures.

-          A range of opportunities that have arisen were also noted. These included improved methods for communication and multi-agency working, increased recognition for integrating an emphasis on early intervention and clear frameworks around shared responsibility for the most vulnerable children.

-          Moving forward, DCSs highlighted that a more holistic and integrated approach to identifying and supporting vulnerable children and families, is possible across both education and children’s services.

-          A more holistic approach could be available, with a more pragmatic and family focused approach.

-          Ben  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

3.

Note of the Previous Meeting held on 8th September 2020

Minutes:

The Chair asked the members of the Children & Young People Board to agree the note of the previous meeting on Tuesday 8th September 2020 as an accurate record.

 

Decision

The members of the CYP Board agreed the note of the meeting on Tuesday 8th September 2020 as an accurate record.