Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Education, Children and Adult Services Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday 11 February 2015 at 10.05 am.

Webcast Notice: This meeting will be filmed and broadcast over the Internet on the Highland Council website and will be archived and available for viewing for 12 months thereafter.

You are invited to attend the meeting and a note of the business to be considered is attached.

Yours faithfully

Michelle Morris
Depute Chief Executive/
Director of Corporate Development

Business

1. Apologies for Absence
    Leisgeulan

2. Declarations of Interest
    Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt

Members are asked to consider whether they have an interest to declare in relation to any item on the agenda for this meeting. Any Member making a declaration of interest should indicate whether it is a financial or non-financial interest and include some information on the nature of the interest. Advice may be sought from Officers prior to the meeting taking place.

3. Presentation: Delivery of the Broad General Education
    Taisbeanadh: Lìbhrigeadh an Fhoghlaim Fharsaing Choitchinn

There is circulated Report No ECAS/17/15 dated 2 February 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which informs Members about the support provided by the Authority to take forward the Broad General Education in Highland schools.  The report supports a presentation that will be made at the Committee.

The Committee is invited to note and comment on the issues raised in the report and presentation.

4. Revenue Budget 2014/15 – Monitoring
    Buidseat Teachd-a-steach 2014/15 – Sgrùdadh

There is circulated Report No ECAS/18/15 dated 3 February 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides the Care and Learning Service budget monitoring for the period to 31 December 2014 and the forecast year-end position.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. approve the monitoring statement; and
ii. note the areas of budget pressures and mitigating actions to date.

5. Capital Expenditure 2014/15 - Monitoring
    Caiteachas Calpa 2014/15 - Sgrùdadh

There is circulated Report No ECAS/19/15 dated 1 February 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which advises on progress with the Care and Learning capital programme and the monitoring forecast for the period to end December 2014.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.  the position as at the end of December 2014 for the 2014/15 capital programme as outlined in paragraph
    2.1 and detailed in Appendix 1 of the report;
ii. the status of the major capital projects as detailed in Appendix 2 of the report; and
iii. that the future investment priorities for the school estate will be brought to a future meeting of the
    Committee as detailed in paragraph 2.3 of the report.

6. Inspection of Adult Services
    Sgrùdadh Sheirbheisean Inbheach

There is circulated Report No ECAS/20/15 dated 19 January 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update on the Joint Inspection of Social Work and Health Services for Older People by the Care Inspectorate and Healthcare Improvement Scotland.

The Committee is invited to note the process of the inspection of older people’s services in Highland.

7. Sustainable School Estate Review – Tain
    Ath-sgrùdadh Oighreachd Sgoiltean Seasmhach – Baile Dhubhthaich

Following conclusion of the statutory consultation process, there is circulated Report No ECAS/21/15 dated 2 February 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which sets out a recommendation to improve school accommodation provision in Tain through the establishment of a new 3-18 campus on the site of the present Tain Royal Academy, replacing all other education provision within Tain, including the present Tain Royal Academy, Craighill Primary School, Knockbreck Primary School and St Duthus Special School.  The appendices to the report are circulated separately as Booklets A and B.

The Committee is invited to consider the proposal and, having given consideration to further representations received, agree to recommend to the Council that it:-

i.  discontinue education provision at the following campuses – Craighill Primary School, Knockbreck Primary
    School and St Duthus Special School – and relocate provision to a new 3 to 18 campus to be established on
    the site of the existing Tain Royal Academy;
ii. as an interim measure, until the proposed 3 to 18 campus is available, relocate current pre-school provision
    from St Duthus School campus (English medium) and Knockbreck Primary School campus (Gaelic medium) to
    temporary modular accommodation on the current Craighill Primary School campus;
iii. establish a new 3 to 18 community campus on the site of the existing Tain Royal Academy comprising Early
    Years, Primary, Secondary, Additional Support Needs and Gaelic Medium provision to replace all other local
    authority education provision within Tain, including the existing Tain Royal Academy and Community
    Complex; and
iv. combine the existing school catchment areas of Craighill Primary School and Knockbreck Primary School to
    become the catchment area of the new combined Primary School within the 3 to 18 campus.

8. Inverness Primary Schools Update
    Fios as Ùr mu Bhun-Sgoiltean Inbhir Nis

There is circulated Report No ECAS/22/15 dated 30 January 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which advises of progress in analysing the effect of roll pressures facing primary schools in Inverness.  It also identifies the most immediate priorities for future capital investment and some of the other measures that may have to be introduced.

The Committee is invited to note and comment on the priorities for future capital investment and the other potential measures outlined in the report.

9. Children’s Services
    Seirbheisean Chloinne

i. Performance Report
   Aithisg Choileanaidh

There is circulated Report No ECAS/23/15 dated 2 February 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update on the performance framework for Children’s Services.

The Committee is invited to note the performance information.

ii. Assurance Report
    Aithisg Bharantais

There is circulated Report No ECAS/24/15 dated 30 January 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning, the purpose of which is to provide assurance to NHS Highland in relation to services commissioned and delivered through Highland Council.
 
The Committee is invited to note:-

i. and comment on the issues raised in the report; and
ii. that the format of the report remains under review.

10. Free School Meals
      Biadh-sgoile An-asgaidh

There is circulated Report No ECAS/25/15 dated 2 February 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning, which provides an update on the successful project delivery and implementation of the provision of universal free school meals for Primary 1 to 3 pupils from January 2015.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.  the successful implementation of universal provision of free school meals for Primary 1 to 3 pupils from
    January 2015;
ii. that further communication and promotion will be undertaken to raise awareness and increase uptake; and
iii. that there will be ongoing monitoring of progress and a future report once the service has bedded in and
    further uptake data is available.

11. District Partnerships
      Com-pàirteachasan Sgìre

There is circulated Report No ECAS/26/15 dated 30 January 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides information to Members regarding the matters currently being discussed at District Partnerships.

The Committee is invited to note and comment on the issues raised in the report.

12. School Meal Working Group Update
      Fios as Ùr mu Bhuidheann-obrach Bidhe Sgoiltean

There is circulated Report No ECAS/27/15 dated 3 February 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which explains that the School Meals Stakeholder Group was established at the Adult and Children’s Services Committee in November 2012.  The Group has broadened its scope to cover all food in schools.  The report provides Members with the third update on progress.

The Committee is invited to note and comment on the progress of the School Meals/Food in Schools Stakeholder Group.

13. Family Support Work Review
      Ath-sgrùdadh air Obair Taic Theaghlaichean

There is circulated Report No ECAS/28/15 dated 3 February 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which updates Members on the review of support work within care and protection, children’s disability and early years’ services.  The report seeks agreement to the reallocation of these budgets as part of the proposed model.

The Committee is invited to agree:-

i. the allocation of support work funding and posts as set out in the report;
ii. the re-allocation of funds for self directed support; and
iii. that the funding allocation for community capacity building should be the subject of a future report.

14. Annual Report – Fostering and Adoption Services
       Aithisg Bhliadhnail – Seirbheisean Altramais agus Uchd-mhacachd

There is circulated Report No ECAS/29/15 dated 2 February 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which updates Members on the work of Fostering and Adoption Services over the past year.

The Committee is invited to consider and comment on the issues raised in the report.

15. Fees for Foster and Adoptive Carers
      Cosgaisean airson Luchd-cùraim Altramais agus Uchd-mhacachd

There is circulated Report No ECAS/30/15 dated 2 February 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which sets out the need to review the current payment structure for fees and allowances for foster carers.

The Committee is invited to agree:-

i.  that there be no increase in allowances at this time, as it is expected that this matter will be addressed in
    an imminent announcement by the Scottish Government; and
ii. an increase of 2% in fees for carers, funded from the allocated 2015/16 budget pressure for looked after
    children.

16. Self Directed Support
      Taic Fèin-stiùirichte

There is circulated Report No ECAS/31/15 dated 2 February 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which explains that the implementation of Self Directed Support requires resources to be freed up by re-shaping services at the same time as reducing overall spend.  The current spend on services for children with disabilities remains in excess of budget due to the factors outlined in this and previous reports.  The report outlines the various options, their likely impact on service provision and proposals to consult on options for change.

The Committee is invited to agree a consultation on service and financial options for those people who currently use Self Directed Support packages or who may require and choose on in the future.

17. ICT in Learning Strategy
       Ro-innleachd TFC ann an Ionnsachadh

There is circulated Report No ECAS/32/15 dated 3 February 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides Members with information on engagement activities and outcomes that have informed a new Vision and Strategic Action Plan designed to take forward ICT in Learning for Highland Schools.  The report also updates Members on the process and next steps for ICT reprovision relating to schools.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note the breadth of engagement and research activities to date; and
ii. agree to endorse the ICT in Learning draft Strategic Action Plan.

18. Home to School Transport Policy Review
       Ath-sgrùdadh Poileasaidh mu Chòmhdhail Dachaigh gu Sgoil

There is circulated Report No ECAS/33/15 dated 30 January 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which advises Members of the commencement of a review in to the Council’s Home to School Transport Policy.  It is intended that the final report and recommendations will be brought to the Committee in May 2015.

The Committee is invited to note the commencement and scope of the Review and that a further report will be brought to the Committee in May 2015.

19. Appointment of Representative to the Board of Partnerships for Wellbeing
       Riochdaire ga Chur an Dreuchd gu Bòrd nan Com-pàirteachasan airson Mathais

Partnerships for Wellbeing is a Company Limited by Guarantee with Charitable Status, the aim of which is to identity and manage projects which will improve the health and wellbeing of people in the Highlands.

The Council currently has two representatives on the Board, Mr H Wood and Ms J Douglas.  However, Ms J Douglas has intimated her intention to stand down and the Committee is therefore invited to appoint one Member to the Board of Partnerships for Wellbeing.