Agenda item

The update attached as Appendix A to the report had been produced at the end of 2017 and captured the achievements of SCST’s 2^nd year (rather than discussing all elements of their work). SCST now had permanent Senior and Middle Management Teams, with 84% of the workforce of the organisation now being permanent. SCST had also received a £1.4 Innovation Grant, which had been used to recruit staff and initiate programmes such as ‘Inspiring Families’ (which had been created to combat domestic abuse).

The Panel raised the following points in discussion:

·  The 4^th Monitoring Visit by Ofsted had highlighted the pace of change as an area in need of improvement. SCST had raised this with Essex County Council (who were acting as mentors) and held a diagnostic session to specify areas where this could be taken forward. The 5^th Monitoring Visit had recently published its letter of advice to SCST; this had confirmed that the pace of change had improved, and would be

circulated to Panel members.

(At this stage, Cllr Chahal entered the meeting)

·  The Pupil Premium meant that £1,500 of additional spending was allocated to each Looked After Child in education. This funding was used to create individual Personal Educational Plans (PEPs) for all such students. These PEPs were used to drive individualised spending appropriate to each child’s needs. All Pupil Premium cash was now being spent appropriately.

·  37% of local children were attending University once completing compulsory education. LACs were not attending University at the same ratio, although the small number of such students meant that statistics could easily be skewed by individual cases.

·  Around 1/3^rd of LACs were achieving 5 A* - C grades at GCSEs; this statistics was around 15% nationally.

Resolved:  That the report be noted.