Agenda and minutes

The evacuation procedure was noted.

There were no interests declared.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 15 November 2023.

AGREED that the minutes of the meeting held on 15 November 2023 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

-       To receive a presentation on the new team around the school partnership offer.

-       To consider engagement activity to support the Appreciative Inquiry Scrutiny.

The Select Committee received a presentation on the Appreciative Inquiry work relating to the new team around the school partnership offer. The work, which focused on early help, linked in with the Select Committee’s review.

The presentation covered:

The vision for 2030

What was already going well in Stockton-on-Tees

What would be different for families?

Vision for the team around the school and desired impact

Model options 

Targeted Support

Graduated Response Model

School Navigator role and function

Key issues highlighted and discussed:

The vision was “To transform the Team around the school offer and design services that schools, and young people say they want and are important to them.”

The support would be accessible, empathetic and welcoming front-line teams with rapid response to need and personalised, individualised support

The targeted support option would provide a multifaceted, enhanced and co-ordinated early help offer across all schools, that deployed resources based upon evidence-based need and ensured pupils were getting the right support at the right time

The Early Help School Navigator role and function included:

Brokerage and co-ordination of support

Thresholds guidance and consultancy

Direct work and intervention

Partnership working

System change and thinking

The proposed graduated response looked at four potential offers:

Platinum – Navigators based in schools 2.5 days per week

Gold – Navigators based in schools 2 days per week

Silver – Navigators based in schools 1 day per week

Bronze – Navigators based in school 0.5 days per week

The navigator role was a specialist role but was aimed at growing capacity within school settings. The navigators would not be new posts, instead existing resource would be used in a difference way to support the work

Next steps would involve a series of co-production sessions with clusters of schools to engage them in collaborative design of the team around the school offer, which would potentially change some of the offer as it currently stood

Whilst it was recognised that some children needed specialist provision, the Government was encouraging schools to educate SEND pupils within mainstream schools

Funding pressures on schools were acknowledged and the navigator role would help schools to take full advantage of support already available

In the spirit of collaborative working, officers were finalising engagement activity with stakeholders and further information would be brought to the January meeting.

AGREED that the information be noted.

A series of presentations were being arranged utilising scheduled Committee meetings. The presentations would provide background and context for the Select Committee’s work and would include:

New Attendance Strategy 

Early Help Appreciative Inquiry

Vulnerable Groups - Outcomes and Activities 

Case Studies and Best Practice

AGREED that the Work Programme be noted.