Agenda item

Slough Children's Services Trust update

Minutes:

Krutika Pau updated the group on recent developments regarding Education and Children’s Services.  Slough Children’s Services Trust (SCST) have entered into a contract for the provision of children’s early help and social care functions along with specific special educational needs services which will now be delivered by the Trust.  This follows the issuing of a Direction by the Secretary of State which gives effect to this new operating model for children’s services in Slough.  Earlier in the year Nicola Clemo was appointed as Chief Executive for the Trust, Eleanor Brazil as the Commissioner and Elaine Simpson as Chair of the Trust.   

 

The Trust will go live on 1st October.  Following Cabinet and full Council, all plans were agreed.  All the provision of Children’s Social Services will be under the Trust but SBC retains the statutory duty.  34 KPIs have been devised and meetings will take place between SBC and SCST on a regular basis to monitor progress.  SCST will take over Children’s Social Care and SEN Assessment process.  Some of this is currently tied up in the Cambridge Education Contract and SBC is working through what this will mean.  SBC is not extending the Cambridge Education contract after 30th September 2016.  Over the next twelve months SBC, SCST and Cambridge will be meeting to discuss how to complete the transition in the most effective manner. 

 

A Change Programme Board chaired by the Director of Children’s Services has been set up.  There are three areas that require detailed work:  Early Years, SEN and School Improvement and subgroups have been set up to ascertain where things currently stand and what needs to be achieved.  Schools will be encouraged to actively participate in the sub groups.  The School Improvement sub group would ideally be run by Headteachers.

The improvement of Children’s Services will continue but SBC will still have the right to intervene over quality and care and reports to Ministers.

 

Eleanor Brazil’s role will continue for a while as Chair of the Quality and Improvement Board once the SCST has gone live, although responsibilities and accountability will change over the forthcoming months.

 

John Constable asked who the SCST reports to.  Krutika Pau explained that the Chair of the Trust, Elaine Simpson is accountable to the Secretary of State but the responsibility of Children’s Social Care still lies with SBC.  Progress and accountability will be discussed at regular meetings and SBC can raise concerns with the Secretary of State.

 

Helen Huntley said that it is important to get the SEN sub group right as it has important financial implications.  Krutika Pau said that schools will be represented at all three sub groups.

 

Nicky Willis explained that, as Head of Primary Heads Association, there is an issue with attendance as there are already many meetings and commitments for Headteachers. 

 

Robin Crofts said there would be an onus on the SCST to attend the Schools Forum.  Maggie Waller suggested adding the SCST attendance as a standing item on the agenda.  Krutika Pau suggested arranging a meeting with Maggie Waller, herself and Nicola Clemo to discuss School Forum attendance.

 

Krutika Pau will send a letter out to all School Heads explaining the work of the SCST.