Agenda item
Children's Centre Scrutiny Review Update (To Follow)
To consider a progress report on implementation of the Children’s Centres Scrutiny Review recommendations and whether further scrutiny is required or further progress monitoring.
Minutes:
Councillor Amy Whitelock, Scrutiny Lead Children Schools & Families, introduced and highlighted key points in the report, which:
· Provided a progress update on implementation of the recommendations contained in the Scrutiny Review Working Group report ““Reviewing the impact of the Children’s Centres (CCs) restructure”” of May 2012.
· Requested the OSC to consider whether further scrutiny of CCs should be included in the OSC work programme.
Anne Canning, Interim Corporate Director Education Social Care and Wellbeing (ESCWB) and Vicky Allen, Strategy Policy & Performance Officer, were also in attendance for this item.
Councillor Whitelock, drew the attention of the OSC to supplementary recommendations/ requests that were the outcome of the recent scrutiny review of progress on implementation of each recommendation contained in the original scrutiny report, including:
· Re: Recommendation 1:
o The involvement of Members, including backbenchers, in the current redevelopment of the website and intranet was considered vital, and accordingly requested.
o With reference to promoting of information by directorate communication advisers through regular meetings with Lead Members, that the following additional recommendation be made “That all Members be informed at the appropriate time.”
· Re: Recommendation 2:
Welcoming the current review of the Authority’s Organisational Change Procedure [by the People Board], an update to OSC on the refreshed procedure was requested, with a view to confirming improvements, and examining how communications and engagement with key stakeholders was covered in it.
· Re: Recommendation 3 & 5:
It was welcomed that there were no further funding reductions for CCs in the recent Budget. However, there were concerns about vacancy management savings in ESCWB and close monitoring was needed. Accordingly an update to OSC in 6 months time on service capacity in the context of VMS was requested.
· Re: Recommendation 4:
Since the progress review it was understood that the recommendation for higher visibility for the Authority’s policy for the allocation of places when there was high demand eg on the Council website, was in hand.
· Re: Recommendation 6:
Welcomed that work was underway. However, requested an update to OSC at an appropriate time, on the outcome of the business improvement exercise to reduce the burden of data collection on staff, taking into consideration the needs of the Ofsted Inspection Framework.
· Re: Recommendation 8:
o Welcomed the introduction of a new text messaging service, but consideration that there was more scope to use email and social media. Accordingly requested an update to OSC onom the findings of the review being conducted with the Parents Forum on accessibility of information relating to the service.
o Consideration that the approach to promotion of children’s services at venues other than schools could be more robust particularly at Idea Stores. Accordingly that the following additional recommendation be made “That Idea Stores be pro-active in the promotion of Children’s Services.”
· Re: Recommendation 9:
Requested a review and update to OSC on the governance model for CCs after one year of operation, including any analysis of the diversity of parents that actively engage and feedback from parents themselves, to ensure it's not overly burdensome.
A discussion followed which focused on the following points:
· Clarification sought and given on sustainability of the service in the context of vacancy management. Anne Canning, Interim Corporate Director ESCWB, responded that:
o There had been apprehension before the original scrutiny review. However, the outcome had been constructive, with significant involvement of external bodies and CCs staff in the restructure, and a direct influence on it’s outcome.
o Agency staff were secured if needed, however virements to salary budget heads from other budget heads was no longer common practice in the environment of financial constraint. There was a directorate-wide vacancy management exercise intended to deliver significant savings, but there would be no impact on frontline services.
o The recalibration of office assistant staff reflected a recognition of additional duties arising from the CCs restructure. A great deal of effort was being made to train CCs staff, with a view to building resilience in the service, and it appeared to be having profound results. She was confident service sustainability had been addressed provided there were no further budget reductions.
o There was more scope for communication through social media and this would be taken forward.
· Consideration that the content and terminology in the report relating to communications needed minor revision in the context of recent Budget setting by full Council, and its impact on the Communications Service Budget.
· Ms Vicky Allen was formally thanked for her hard work in taking forward the progress review and major contribution in drawing together its findings and recommendations in the report.
The Chair Moved and it was:-
Resolved
1. The contents of the report be noted; and
2. That Members comments be noted; and that it be agreed that further scrutiny on this issue is not appropriate at this point, but that Officers should continue to monitor progress against the original scrutiny review recommendations.
Action by:
Vicky Allen (Strategy Policy & Performance Officer, Strategy Policy & Performance, CE’s)
Supporting documents:
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Children's Centres Progress Report - April 2013-V2 AW edits - FINAL SB - v2 (3) DG2703131550pm, item 6.1
PDF 124 KB
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8.1 Reviewing Children's Centres - Scrutiny Review CAB051212, item 6.1
PDF 208 KB