Agenda and draft minutes

The evacuation procedure was noted.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 11 December 2024.

AGREED that the minutes of the meeting held on 11 December 2024 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Select Committee received action plans in respect of:

·         Recommendation 2 – Forge Positive Relationships

·         Recommendation 5 – Managing Emotions

·         Recommendation 12 – Strengthen Transition Arrangements

·         Recommendation14 – Review Behaviour Policies

Key issues highlighted and discussed:

·         The importance of getting feedback from all schools. Officers confirmed that there was a positive working relationship with all schools

·         Work was underway to analyse suspension data to understand if there was a correlation with behaviour policies. Some policies were less relational whilst others were more influenced by trauma informed practice. Officers were also working with the Virtual School to understand how much consideration was being given to Children in our Care in Behaviour Policies

·         The importance of influencing Academy Trusts and Central Government was highlighted. Officers advised that regular meetings were taking place with the DfE; these meetings provided an opportunity to share the ongoing success of the Appreciative Inquiry regionally and nationally

·         Members requested details of the local retention of Stockton students in post 16 pathways compared to students educated out of Borough. Officers did not have the information to hand but undertook to provide this to Committee Members.

·         The Council was working with providers to design a strategy to promote post 16 provision to Stockton Secondary Schools. Some pupils were being drawn in by marketing of out of Borough providers although there were equivalent courses on offer in Stockton

AGREED that the action plans be noted.

-       To receive an update on Government funding

-       To receive feedback from the provider survey (to follow)

-       To agree questions for consultation and engagement with Children and Young People during the half term HAF activities

The Committee were advised that confirmation had been received from the DfE that all local authorities would receive funding to continue to deliver the Holiday Activities and Food programme into 2025. The Council had received its allocation which was slightly less than the previous year.

The Committee received a presentation setting out feedback from the provider survey and also discussed and agreed questions for consultation and engagement with children and young people during the half term HAF provision.

The presentation on provider feedback outlined:

·         Provider survey context

·         The survey questions

·         Satisfaction with the programme

·         The providers

·         What’s working well

·         Improvements

·         Future providers

·         Feedback from the Celebration Event

Key issues highlighted and discussed were as follows:

·         The provider survey had been sent to 43 providers past and present, 31 responded

·         11 providers worked across Tees Valley and had highlighted things that had worked well in those areas as:

o   Communication

o   Booking System

o   Grant allocations rather than a contract

·         Officers were also engaging with Middlesbrough Council to seek ideas on improving and extending reach

·         Key improvements highlighted by providers included:

o   Improving the booking system

o   Reviewing the costs per head (for example a tiered approach could be adopted)

o   Ensuring that we are reaching those in most need

o   Reducing none attendees

o   Considering funding for children who are not eligible

o   Creating opportunities to promote best practice

o   Having one application form for all holiday periods

o   Improved communication around SEND children so providers can respond to an individual child’s needs

o   Increasing attendance

·         Of the 31 provider responses, 26 said that they would apply for future funding for with HAF or both programmes. Provider reach needed to be improved taking into consideration the feedback

·         Stockton Parent Carer Forum had fed back additional comments to inform the approach with children with complex needs

·         Auto enrolment of Free School Meals pupils was now being implemented and this would help to identify more eligible children

·         Transport to activities was identified as a potential problem and Members discussed how community transport provision might be utilised

The next meeting of the Committee would be an informal session to review the summary of evidence. Further feedback would also be considered at that meeting from:

·         Parent Carer Forum

·         Northshore Careers Fair

·         Engagement with Middlesbrough Council

·         Half Term provision

AGREED that the presentation be noted.

AGREED that the work programme be noted.