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 20 May 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: Stranger Smart
    Taisbeanadh: Glic mu Shrainnsearan

There will be a presentation on the new joint strategy with Police Scotland, “Stranger Smart”, which is the launch of a protocol to manage responses to concerns regarding suspicious individuals in the vicinity of Highland schools.

The Committee is invited to endorse the approach and the protocol.

4. Revenue and Capital Budget Update 
    Cunntas às Ùr mu Theachd-a-steach agus Buidseat Calpa

There is circulated Report No ECAS/34/15 dated 12 May 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update in relation to the revenue and capital budgets for the Care and Learning Service.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the update in relation to the revenue budget at section 2 of the report and endorse the proposed
    enhancement of early years infrastructure;
ii. note the Care and Learning capital programme as set out in Annex 3 of the report, the major projects that will now
    be progressed and the intention to take a report back to Committee on future priorities and allocations from
    generic capital budgets;
iii. agree the summer works programme as set out in Annex 4 of the report;
iv. agree the increased allocation to Thurso Swimming Pool as described in paragraph 3.4.2;
v. agree the allocation of funding to the Bught, Inverness and Jubilee Park, Dingwall sports pitches as set out in
    paragraph 3.4.7;
vi. note the update on statutory consultations, as provided at paragraph 3.5.2;
vii. note the updated status of major projects as set out in Annex 5 of the report;
viii. note the update in relation to the residential properties review; and
ix. agree the revised staffing structure for the Estates Team as set out in Annex 6 of the report.

5. Inverness Primary Schools Update
    Cunntas às Ùr mu Bhun-sgoiltean Inbhir Nis

There is circulated Report No ECAS/35/15 dated 11 May 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 provides an update on the outcome of the recent review of the Council’s capital programme and the most immediate priorities for future capital investment.

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

6. Inverasdale Primary School – Proposal to Proceed to Statutory Consultation for Formal Closure 
    Bun-Sgoil Inbhir Àsdail – Moladh a Dhol air Adhart gu Co-chomhairle Reachdail airson Dùnadh Foirmeil

There is circulated Report No ECAS/36/15 dated 11 May 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which explains that Inverasdale Primary School is currently mothballed and has been since the end of session 2011/12.  The report seeks Member agreement to proceed to a statutory consultation, under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, for formal closure of the school.

The Committee is invited to consider the report and attached proposal and agree to proceed to statutory consultation, per the requirements of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, regarding the proposal for formal closure of Inverasdale Primary School and the re-assignment of its catchment area to that of Poolewe Primary School.

7. Performance Report
    Aithisg Choileanaidh

There is circulated Report No ECAS/37/15 dated 11 May 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update on the performance framework for Children’s Services and commentary on Statutory Performance Indicators.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note and comment on the performance information; and
ii. agree that two measures be removed from the performance framework, as set out in paragraph 1.6 of the report.

8. Assurance Report – Children’s Services
    Aithisg Bharantais - Seirbheisean Chloinne

There is circulated Report No ECAS/38/15 dated 11 May 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:-

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

9. Implementation of Getting It Right For Every Child in Highland: Update
    Buileachadh Ga Fhaighinn Ceart airson Gach Leanabh sa Ghàidhealtachd: Cunntas às Ùr

There is circulated Report No ECAS/39/15 dated 11 May 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update with regard to the ongoing evaluation of Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) in Highland.  The report also makes comment on the Children and Young People Act (Scotland) 2014, which will have some impact on the Highland Practice Model.

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

10. Presentation by Highland Children’s Forum on their evaluation of Children’s Plans
      Taisbeanadh le Fòram Chloinne na Gàidhealtachd mun mheasadh aca air Planaichean Chloinne

There will be a presentation by Highland Children’s Forum on their independent evaluation of the experience by children and families of the Child’s Plan.

The consultation report, “My Child’s Plan: My Views”, is circulated separately as Booklet A.

The Committee is invited to welcome the consultation report and comment on the issues raised.

11. High Life Highland Progress Report
      Aithisgean Adhartais High Life na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No ECAS/40/15 dated 11 May 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which presents information on the performance of High Life Highland during the operating period April 2014 to March 2015.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.  that High Life Highland has met or exceeded the outcomes expected in the Service Delivery Contract with the
    Council for the period April 2014 to March 2015;
ii. that, following the decommissioning of the previous provision at Badaguish, Aviemore, High Life Highland has been
    asked to work on the development of a new outdoor activities service, including proposals for a potential capital
    project; and
iii. the growing contribution High Life Highland makes to the prevention agenda.

12. Facilities Management Review - Update
      Ath-sgrùdadh air Rianachd Ghoireasan – Cunntas às Ùr

There is circulated Report No ECAS/41/15 dated 11 May 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which invites Members to note the progress to date with the Facilities Management Review and to agree that further consultation with Members and stakeholders on detailed proposals is carried out with a view to reporting recommendations for the future of Facilities Management to the August Committee.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note and comment on the progress to date with the Facilities Management Review; and
ii. agree that further consultation with Members and stakeholders on detailed proposals be carried out with a view to
    reporting recommendations for the future of Facilities Management to the August Committee.

13. Additional Support Needs Review Update
      Cunntas às Ùr mu Ath-sgrùdadh air Feumalachdan Taice a Bharrachd

There is circulated Report No ECAS/42/15 dated 11 May 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which explains that a detailed process of consultation and review of Additional Support Needs (ASN) in Highland was completed during 2013/14 and reported to Committee in May 2014.  The review made 26 recommendations for improvements to structures and practices, with the aim of achieving better outcomes for children and young people, which were remitted to the ASN Improvement Group to implement and monitor.  The report provides a summary of the work to date in relation to the recommendations of the review.  For ease of reporting, recommendations relating to a single theme are grouped together.

The Committee is invited to note and comment on the progress to date in relation to the implementation of the recommendations from the Additional Support Needs Review.

14. Recruitment of Head Teachers
      Fastadh Cheannardan-sgoile

There is circulated Report No ECAS/43/15 dated 11 May 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which sets out some of the issues around Head Teacher recruitment in Highland.  The report is set against the wider context of a growing concern about the recruitment problems that now exist in schools across Scotland.

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

15. Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood
      Dàimhean, Slàinte Gnèitheasach agus Pàrantachd

There is circulated Report No ECAS/44/15 dated 11 May 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update about the most recent guidance being issued to schools on the conduct of relationships, sexual health and parenthood education.  It takes into account the most recent guidance from the Scottish Government and the advice of a working party made up of teachers, Quality Improvement Officers and health professionals.

The Committee is invited to note the guidance being issued to schools on the conduct of relationships, sexual health and parenthood education.

16. Community Learning and Development Plan
      Plana Ionnsachadh agus Leasachadh Coimhearsnachd

There is circulated Report No ECAS/45/15 dated 6 May 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update on progress in developing a Community Learning and Development Plan.

The Committee is invited to note progress on developing a Community Learning and Development Plan and that an outline of the plan will be circulated to this Committee in August 2015, prior to submission to Education Scotland in September 2015.

17. Child Protection Committee Biennial Report: April 2013 – March 2015
      Aithisg Dà-bhliadhna Comataidh Dìon na Cloinne: Giblean 2013 – Màrt 2015

There is circulated Report No ECAS/46/15 dated 11 May 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which explains that, as required by the Scottish Government, the Highland Child Protection Committee has prepared a biennial report detailing how functions have been carried out and progress against the priorities identified in the rolling Child Protection Improvement Plan.

The Highland Child Protection Committee Biennial Report is circulated separately as Booklet B.

The Committee is invited to note and comment on the biennial report of the Highland Child Protection Committee.

18. Redesign of Community Justice Governance
      Ath-dhealbhadh Riaghladh Ceartais Choimhearsnachd

There is circulated Report No ECAS/47/15 dated 8 May 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which sets out the requirement for new governance and planning arrangements for Community Justice Services.  Options for local arrangements are outlined and it is recommended that these are considered by the Community Planning Partnership.

The Committee is invited to note the planned change in governance arrangements for Community Justice and to comment on the options for the future model of planning Community Justice Services, which will be considered further at the Community Planning Partnership.

19. Internal Audit Report – Highland Instrumental Unit
      Aithisg In-Sgrùdaidh – Aonad Innealan-Ciùil na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No ECAS/48/15 dated 11 May 2015 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an overview and update in relation to an internal audit report on the Highland Instrumental Unit, recently considered by the Audit and Scrutiny Committee.

The Committee is invited to note the appended internal audit report and action plan and the update provided.

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

There is circulated joint Report No ECAS/49/15 dated 11 May 2015 by the Depute Chief Executive and the Director of Care and Learning which sets out the findings and recommendations following a Complaints Review Committee on 11 March 2015.  The report also provides an overview of the complaints process and highlights the requirement for decisions of the Complaints Review Committee to be reported to the Education, Children and Adult Services Committee.

The Committee is invited to note:-

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

21. Minutes
      Geàrr-chunntas

The following Minutes are circulated for noting or approval as appropriate:-

i. Highland Alcohol and Drug Partnership Strategy Group – 13 November 2014;
ii. Child Protection Committee – 2 December 2014;
iii. Adult Services Development and Scrutiny Sub-Committee – 18 February 2015;
iv. Criminal Justice Sub-Committee – 4 March 2015;
v. Highland Strategic Commissioning Group – 16 March 2015; and
vi. Adult Services Development and Scrutiny Sub-Committee – 1 May 2015.