Agenda and minutes

In the event the fire alarm sounds attendees will be advised to evacuate the building via the nearest fire exit and assemble at the Bottle of Notes opposite MIMA.

The Chair welcomed all attendees to the meeting and explained the fire evacuation procedures.

The minutes of the People Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 16 December 2024 were submitted and approved as a correct record.

The Head of Virtual School will be in attendance to provide information regarding the Virtual School’s role in supporting children missing education.

The Head of Virtual School was in attendance to present further evidence for the scrutiny topic of Children Missing Education (CME), specifically around Looked After Children and the role of the Virtual School.

The role of the Local Authority Head of Virtual School was to promote the educational achievement of children in care and children previously in care. This included children with a Social Worker and from September 2024, children in kinship care.  The Head of Virtual School worked closely with Schools, Social Workers and other professionals to share information and ensured that all parties were aware of the child’s educational needs and progress.

The post played a crucial function in tracking and monitoring the educational progress of children in care and assisted with attendance monitoring, Personal Education Plans (PEPs) and the tracking of attainment and progress.

According to a report by the Children’s Commissioner, as of March 2022, there were approximately 1,363 looked after children (2.7%) who were not in school. This included children who were not registered at any school and were not receiving suitable education otherwise. By Local Authority, this varied from 0% to 13.4%.

National Challenges found by the Children’s Commissioner were as follows:

·        Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) Delays: Delays in transferring EHCPs when children were placed out of area. School Capacity: Schools often lacked capacity or expertise to support children with SEN.

·        Unregistered Education: Some children received education from unregistered settings, posing risks to their education and safety.

·        Structural Factors: Placement type, stability, and location of care placement affected school attendance.

The local context of Looked After Children (LAC) missing from education was presented.  There were currently 14 (3.5%) LAC missing from education, 10 (71%) had an EHCP and 4 (29%) had SEND support.  A trend analysis showed that LAC missing from education had risen from 4 (1% of the cohort) in September 2023 to 14 (3.5%) in December 2024, peaking at 8 (8%) in July 2024.

During discussion, a member queried the contributory factors of the increase in LAC missing from education.  The Head of Virtual School advised that there was a difficulty in finding school places for SEN; an instability in places and insufficiency nationally had driven the increase in numbers.

The Chair reminded the Panel that Headteachers had been contacted to ascertain their views on how CME affected their schools and if there was any specific support or improvements that could be identified.  The Chair welcomed the Vice Principal of Outwood Academy, Ormesby who had responded to the request and was in attendance at the meeting.

The Vice Principal introduced himself and stated that CME in East Middlesbrough was a significant challenge for Outwood Academy, Ormesby.  He advised that the school made referrals to the Council in respect of CME but due to strict criteria of the Local Authority, lots of cases were ‘bounced back’ and regarded as attendance issues.  He further advised that schools chased non-attendance rigorously and were monitored by Ofsted on their attendance figures; the school had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24/51

The ACT Middlesbrough Lead Officer will be in attendance to provide an overview of the panel’s next topic: Homelessness.

The Access and Change Together (ACT) Middlesbrough Lead Officer was in attendance to provide an overview on the scrutiny topic, Homelessness.

The presentation included:

·        Homelessness Legislation.

·        Duties introduced in the Homelessness Reduction Act (HRA) 2017.

·        Eligibility for Homelessness assistance.

·        Definitions of Homelessness.

·        Emergency / Interim Accommodation Duty.

·        Priority Need.

·        Vulnerability.

·        Intentionally Homeless.

·        Local Connection.

·        National and Local statistics.

·        Social Housing and Private Rented Sector Challenges.

·        Improvements to Service Delivery.

The Chair advised Members that, in advance of the next meeting, consideration should be given to the Terms of Reference that Members would like to explore for the scrutiny investigation of Homelessness.

NOTED

The Chair will provide a verbal update on matters considered at the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Board held on 18 December 2024.

The Chair provided an update on items discussed at the Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting held on 18 December 2024, which included:

• Corporate Performance: Quarter Two 2024/25.
• Executive Member Update – Finance.
• 2024/25 Quarter Two Revenue and Capital Monitoring and Forecast Outturn.
• 2025/26 Draft Budget and MTFP 2025/26 and 2028/29.
• Executive Forward Work Programme.
• Forward Plan Information Updates: Capex – Municipal Buildings Roof Repairs.
• Scrutiny Chairs Update.

NOTED

The next meeting of the People Scrutiny Panel had been scheduled for Monday, 17 February 2025 at 4.30 p.m. in the Mandela Room, Town Hall.

NOTED

None.