Agendas, reports and minutes

18. Early Learning and Childcare – Update
      Ionnsachadh Tràth agus Cùram-chloinne – Fios às Ùr

Declaration of Interest: Ms G Ross declared a non-financial interest in this item as her son currently attended nursery but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that her interest did not preclude her involvement in the discussion.

There had been circulated Report No ECAS/57/14 dated 4 November 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which was part of the regular reporting on progress with the implementation plan for the expansion of Early Learning and Childcare.

The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 required local authorities to increase provision of Early Learning and Childcare to 600 hours for eligible 3 and 4 year olds and for 2 year olds who were looked after, subject to a kinship care order or with a parent appointed guardian.  The amendment to extend provision to 2 year olds from households in receipt of certain out of work benefits came in to force on 31 October 2014.  Provision would be further extended from August 2015 to include those 2 year olds eligible through free school meal entitlement.  Having met the target to deliver 600 hours from August 2014 whilst also managing to improve commissioning rates to partner providers and change the local authority staffing structure to a more equitable single tier structure, the next phase of implementation was ready to commence.  The report provided information on the consultation process underway and the current uptake of 2 year old places and set out a revised implementation plan of other areas of work which would further improve the delivery of early learning and childcare provision in Highland.

During discussion, the following issues were raised:-

• feedback from the pilot of an early level (nursery and P1) class at Cannich Primary School had been good and the proposed evaluation report was welcomed.  The model had huge potential and could form part of the rural schools solution going forward;
• disappointment was expressed regarding the low uptake of 2 year old provision by families in receipt of out of work benefits.  There appeared to be a lack of understanding in communities regarding eligibility for nursery provision and it was suggested that targeted work be carried out to raise awareness e.g. giving talks to those who came in to contact with people on benefits such as Citizens Advice Bureaus, Job Centres, GPs and other health providers;
• thanks were expressed to officers for the common sense approach taken in rural communities where there were low numbers of children; and
• in relation to the Implementation Plan, clarification was sought regarding nursery snacks and it was confirmed that further information would be provided to Members of the Committee when funding proposals were in place.

Thereafter, the Committee:-

i. NOTED the progress to date with the Implementation Plan for the delivery of the expansion of Early Learning
   and Childcare; and
ii. AGREED that further information be provided to Members of the Committee when funding proposals for
    nursery snacks were in place.

19. Early Years Assessments
       Measaidhean Thràth-bhliadhnaichean

There had been circulated Report No ECAS/58/14 dated 3 November 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which explained that the Early Years Collaborative stretch aims included the goal that 85% of children would achieve their expected developmental milestones at 27-30 months, 90% would achieve them by the time they entered Primary 1 and 90% would have reached the expected developmental milestones and learning outcomes by the end of P4.  This had prompted a review of the assessment frameworks being used in Highland for all pre-school children.

The report summarised the background and the current position in Highland in relation to child health reviews.  There were several screening tools used by Health Boards across Scotland.  However, following the review, it was felt that no single tool provided the holistic approach to wellbeing that fitted with the Highland Practice Model.  It had been decided that there should be a staged model for assessment which would include a first level SHANARI-based core contact form and a suite of recommended second level assessment tools where an additional need was suspected.  The report went on to provide detailed information on 27-30 month reviews, nursery developmental overviews and ongoing actions.

During discussion, the following issues were raised:-

• information was sought on whether the necessary staffing was in place throughout Highland;
• the Scottish Government had indicated that it would be providing additional funding for Health Visitors and information was requested as to how it would be spent;
• the proposed assessment model was complex and required a lot of information to be recorded and it would be helpful to receive feedback from Health Visitors;
• the scale of the work involved in assessing every child at the various stages was significant.  Setting the stretch aims high was optimistic and reflected the commitment to the early years; and
• reference was made to the point raised at item 10 on the agenda regarding a holistic view of children from zero to five years of age and it would be helpful if the relevant officers could discuss how to provide that.

Thereafter, the Committee NOTED the work being undertaken towards measurement and achievement of the Early Years Collaborative stretch aims.

20. Alternatives to Out of Authority Placements
       Roghainnean Eile airson Suidheachaidhean Taobh A-muigh an Ùghdarrais

There had been circulated Report No ECAS/59/14 dated 4 November 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which updated Members on the progress of projects within the programme to find alternatives to out of authority placements for Highland children.

The report summarised the background to out of authority placements and the current position.  There were currently 64 placements funded from the out of authority budget.  However, as previously reported to the Committee, “out of authority placements” no longer reflected the full use of this budget.  In addition to spot-purchased placements in residential schools outside of Highland there were commissioned and spot-purchased placements in new independent children’s units within Highland.  The report went on to provide detailed information on placement exit plan assessments; active returns to Highland and associated savings; an analysis of new placements from January to July 2014; the impact of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014; utilising existing Council properties/services to return young people to Highland; and new provisions and services.

During discussion, the following issues were raised:-

• whilst welcoming the report, it was difficult to understand the dynamics of what was going on;
• concern was expressed that there was still a group of young people, predominantly young men, who were being placed out of authority.  Further information was sought on the challenging behaviour cited as the most common feature of these placements, whether the numbers involved were unusual and what could be done to improve the position;
• a significant step forward was required in terms of kinship care and Members looked forward to progressing the identified actions in For Highland’s Children 4;
• Highland was very remote and financial assistance should be sought from the Scottish Government to prevent young people being placed out of authority;
• young people could only be returned to Highland when the appropriate systems were in place to care for, support and nurture them.  Ten children were currently deemed to have no suitable provision to return to but it was anticipated that this would come on stream;
• concern was expressed regarding the number of emergency placements;
• the number of placements some children had could lead to challenging behaviour and disrupt their childhood;
• the outcomes of the Columba 1400 Leadership Course, which aimed to give increased direction to young people from challenging backgrounds, were commended; and
• information was sought as to why it was necessary to place children out of authority rather than giving them dedicated one to one support in Highland.

Following discussion, the Chairman suggested that it would be helpful to receive more detailed information, in a private report if necessary to avoid identification of individuals, on the needs and circumstances that prevented some children and young people returning to Highland.

Thereafter, having commended the excellent work being carried out by officers, the Committee:-

i. NOTED the progress of projects to identify alternatives to out of authority placements for the young people
   of Highland;
ii. NOTED that there was significant confidence that plans were in place to return all young people for whom a
    provision existed in Highland and further cost effective returns were planned between November 2014 and
    March 2015 through identifying additional suitable Highland provision; and
iii. AGREED that more detailed information be presented to a future meeting of the Committee on the needs
    and circumstances that prevented some children and young people returning to Highland from out of
    authority placements.

21. Self Directed Support Update
      Fios às Ùr mu Thaic Fèin-stiùirichte

There had been circulated Report No ECAS/60/14 dated 21 October 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which set out the critical issues that needed to be considered by the Council as implementation of Self Directed Support (SDS) progressed in children’s social care services in Highland.  It summarised the more detailed Implementation Plan and set out key activities and decisions required now and over the next year.

The report summarised the background to the implementation of SDS and provided detailed information on issues including identifying future funding requirements for SDS and options for budgetary configuration; developing clear processes and structures to ensure consistency, financial assurance and monitoring; engaging with service providers to ensure greater choice; ensuring staff involvement, commitment and competence in SDS; supporting families with SDS; and management of transitions to adult care.

During discussion, the following issues were raised:-

• serious concern was expressed regarding the management of transitions to adult care and the importance of addressing the technology issues was emphasised;
• it was necessary to begin to shape and discuss the changes that would be required to mainstream provision;
• there was a challenge, particularly in remote rural areas, in that, in some instances, money was available for SDS but there was not a viable service for people to buy.  Some of the young people involved were on the verge of out of authority placements and their families were desperately seeking care solutions.  It was important to remember, as SDS affected budgets, that there was a need for facilities such as The Orchard in Inverness that families could trust; and
• SDS presented many exciting opportunities but concern was expressed regarding the impact on traditional services.  It was necessary to help Council services market themselves so they were an attractive option for people to buy.  This would help to address the difficulties in remote and rural areas, assist with Council budgets and give comfort to those who were not confident in moving forward with SDS.

Thereafter, the Committee:-

i. NOTED the issues raised in the report; and
ii. AGREED to seek further reports as the various activities were taken forward.

22. Trainee Schemes
       Sgeamaichean Luchd-trèanaidh

There had been circulated Report No ECAS/61/14 dated 3 November 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which explained that maintenance of a qualified professional workforce in children’s services was at times undermined by difficulty in recruiting to vacant Care and Learning service posts in Health Visiting, School Nursing, Educational Psychology and Social Work.  Workforce planning and recruitment was helped through arrangements to recruit trainees to the staffing establishment.  Solutions to difficulties in different professional sectors demanded varied approaches.  Some budget savings could be secured due to the differential between trainee and qualified staff grades.

The report explained that national recruitment to several Care and Learning professions was becoming increasingly difficult as the numbers of available, suitably trained individuals had fallen.  This was reflected in Highland with some vacancies remaining unfilled for several months.  In March 2013, the Adult and Children’s Services Committee had approved the Educational Psychologists Trainee Scheme resulting in four trainees being supported to undertake the post graduate degree.  In May 2013, the Committee had approved the establishment of two Public Health Nurse trainee posts to assist with recruitment difficulties to Health Visitor and School Nurse posts.  The problem in recruitment of qualified Social Workers to the Council was not of the magnitude it once was but there was often little competition for some posts and recruitment to vacancies could be protracted.

The Committee AGREED to endorse the use of trainees across these various professional disciplines.

23. Complaints Review Committee Outcome
      Toradh Comataidh Ath-sgrùdaidh nan Gearanan

There had been circulated Report No ECAS/62/14 dated 29 October 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which set out the findings and recommendations following a Complaints Review Committee held on 3 September 2014.  The report provided an overview of the complaints process and highlighted the requirement for decisions of the Complaints Review Committee to be reported to the Education, Children and Adult Services Committee.

It was explained that there was a three stage process whereby complainants could request that their complaint be reviewed by the Complaints Review Committee should they be unhappy with the outcome of the formal response to their complaint at stage two of the process.  The Committee was an independent panel consisting of two lay members and a lay Chairperson.

The Committee NOTED:-

i. that the Complaints Review Committee met to consider the case, and the findings; and
ii. the recommendations made by the Complaints Review Committee.

24. Minutes
       Geàrr-chunntas

The Committee NOTED, and APPROVED where necessary, the following Minutes of Meetings:-

i. Child Protection Committee – 1 July 2014;
ii. Duncraig Trust Scheme Sub-Committee – 3 September 2014;
iii. Criminal Justice Sub-Committee – 3 September 2014;
iv. Highland Strategic Commissioning Group of 8 September 2014; and
v. Adult Services Development and Scrutiny Sub-Committee – 24 September 2014.

It was also AGREED, in relation to item 3(ii) of the Adult Services Development and Scrutiny Sub-Committee, that the job description in respect of the generic Health and Social Care Support Worker posts be circulated to Members of the Sub-Committee as soon as possible.

Valedictory

As this was his last meeting prior to retiring from Highland Children’s Forum, Members expressed their appreciation to Mr Calum Munro for his valuable contribution, both to the Committee and the Third Sector in Highland.  His input had added to the Committee, often focusing the deliberations clearly back on the young people concerned, and his experience would be missed.

Mr Munro replied in suitable terms.

The meeting concluded at 1.20 pm.