Agenda item

To consider the Children and Young People Directorate Performance Assurance Report 2025/26 for Q3

Officers from the Directorate introduced their own sections of the report, noting that it was a positive outlook overall with stability in a few areas. It was highlighted that across the directorate, the position was much stronger with the areas for primary focus being Freedom of Information and Subject Access Requests, which was due to the complexity of this work.

It was highlighted that much of the success in the directorate had come from the Council’s investment in services, and the Grow Your Own campaign. It was highlighted that the service trying to sustain this work and putting in mitigations where statistics dipped.

The Director of Education noted that there were a lot of positives for the Education team, noting that for services where the council can primarily influence, the news was positive, although it was less so where the primary work was done by partners.

Members queried the drop off in the use of agency staff and costs. It was noted that this was due to a real focused effort, particularly around Grow Your Own and pathways such as apprenticeships.

Members queried whether exit interviews cover the reasons why people are leaving and whether there are any themes to those reasons. It was noted that exit interviews were encouraged to feed into the retention strategy, but that the themes were various. Members followed up with queries around whether staff were leaving for other authorities and whether we were effectively training for other authorities. It was noted that the Council identifies where people go but that regarding leaving for other authorities, this was unfortunately part of life but we hire from other authorities too. A discussion was held on apprenticeships, the Council’s retention offers and agency staff.

Members queried whether there were common themes of requests for disclosure, and it was noted that generally these were police and live investigations and these were complex cases. It was highlighted that there had been an increase in requests for police investigations.

Members also queried whether statistics that were close to the targets were due to pressures and whether this was monitored, and it was confirmed that this was the case. Members also requested clarity on whether some of the increases in foster care were due to individual or family groups, and it was confirmed it was a mix of both.

Members asked for clarity on what is classified as ‘Unsuitable accommodation’ and it was noted that this was not approved accommodation chosen by the young person but could also refer to prison or custody. Members queried how this was being approached and it was noted that the service worked with young people around this, particularly in regard to the relationship.

Members asked for clarity around the life learning courses and what these were. It was noted that the courses related to adults enrolled at courses as part of lifelong learning, which could encompass NEET. It was highlighted that a breakdown could be provided at the next meeting.

Members queried what was being done to improve the figure for ‘Annual EHCP (SEND) statutory reviews completed within legal timeframe’, and it was noted that work was ongoing to rectify this, with the current focus being on key transitions (for example nursery to reception and Year 6 to Year 7). It was also highlighted that work was ongoing with schools to improve this figure and that an automated reminder had been set up alongside communications going out to highlight the importance of these being completed in time.

Members noted that there are three parts to EHCPs and queried where the holdups were. It was noted that it was spread evenly and that each area was monitored to ensure there were any major issues in the pipeline. Members also enquired as to whether EHCP timeframes were going in the right direction and it was confirmed that they were despite a significant increase in ECHP numbers.

Members also asked about Get Oldham Working and the number of engagements. It was confirmed that there had been a prioritisation in Q3 for those already on Get Oldham Working, and that new engagements had dropped because of this.

RESOLVED that the Scrutiny Board note the directorate outcomes identified and endorsed the report.