Agenda and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

None

None

The minutes of the Panel meeting on the 13 July 2023 were agreed as a correct record.

The Panel received the letter and Cabinet Member response following the Panel meeting on the 13 July 2023.

Questions can be submitted in writing to scrutiny@swansea.gov.uk up until noon on the working day prior to the meeting. Written questions take precedence. Public may attend and ask questions in person if time allows. Questions must relate to items on the open part of the agenda and will be dealt with in a 10 minute period.

No public questions were received.

Cllr Robert Smith Cabinet Member (Education and Learning and Skills), and Helen Morgan Rees (Director of Education), Kate Phillips (Head of Vulnerable Learners) and Helen Howells (Team Manager Pupil Support)

The Panel thanked Councillor Robert Smith (Cabinet Member for Learning and Skills), Helen Morgan Rees (Director of Education and Helen Howells (Team Manager Pupil Support) for attending the Panel and presenting a written report giving details on looked after children support and progress in school.  The discussion covered:

·       Current position including data

·       Personal Education Plans (PEP)

·       Support and provision in schools including

­   literacy and numeracy interventions

­   nurture and welling facilities and equipment

­   transition activities

­   use of dedicated grant

­   looked after children designated teacher

·       Additional learning needs provision

·       Education performance

·       Training and future developments

The following issues/questions were raised by the Panel.  A summary of the Panels views on progress made and the responses to their questions, will form part of the letter to the Cabinet Member following the meeting.

·       Children placed out of county and provision in Swansea

·       Children receiving home tuition and hours of learning provided

·       Maintaining contact with pupils and how progress is followed up upon

·       Power of language and new language guide

Cllr Robert Smith Cabinet Member (Education and Learning and Skills), and Helen Morgan Rees (Director of Education) and Sarah Hughes Head of Education Strategy)

The Panel thanked Councillor Robert Smith (Cabinet Member for Learning and Skills), Helen Morgan Rees (Director of Education and Sarah Hughes (Head of Education Strategy) for attending the Panel and presenting a written report giving details on each of the 10 recommendations made by the Cabinet Development Committee.  The discussion covered:

·       Current position including data

·       Personal Education Plans (PEP)

·       Support and provision in schools including

­   literacy and numeracy interventions

­   nurture and welling facilities and equipment

­   transition activities

­   use of dedicated grant

­   looked after children designated teacher

·       Additional learning needs provision

·       Education performance

·       Training and future developments

The following issues/questions were raised by the Panel.  A summary of the Panels views on progress made and the responses to their questions, will form part of the letter to the Cabinet Member following the meeting.

·       Involvement of local area co-ordinators

·       Engaging with communities and social media

·       Vocational Strategy

·       Library membership by children and young people

·       Inclusion Strategy

·       Language guide

The Panel were pleased to see good progress with a number of the recommendations, with those remaining requiring longer-term solutions.  The Panel look forward to hearing about progress in relation to those that have not yet been progressed when they received a further update in 12 months’ time.

The Panel noted the letter arising from the most recent Partneriaeth Scrutiny Councillor Group on the 19 June 2023.

The Work Plan was noted.  The next meeting of the Panel will be an informal in person only meeting with and at Gorseinon Primary School.

The Panel noted the recent individual school inspections.