Children And Families Services Committee - 09/09/2019

At a MEETING of the CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SERVICES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 9th September, 2019.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

External members for Articles I to VI

Miss K MANDS, Church of Scotland Representative

Ms M LECK, Roman Catholic Church Representative

Mr M CHOHAN, 3rd Church Representative

Mr D BAXTER, Teacher Representative

Ms J BARCLAY, Teacher Representative

Mr J ANDERSON-McGUINNESS, Parent Representative

Councillor Stewart HUNTER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 24th June, 2019 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

II PARENT AND PUPIL REPRESENTATION ON THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SERVICES COMMITTEE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN61-2019 where reference was made to Article V of the minute of meeting of the City Council held on 22nd May, 2017, wherein it was agreed to seek nominations for parent and pupil representatives on the Children and Families Services Committee.

It was reported that Ross Hutton, the pupil representative for 2018/2019 had now left school and the City Wide Pupil Council would nominate a pupil representative in due course.

With regard to parent representation, Katie Radtke had been re-nominated as the primary representative. John Anderson-McGuinness had been nominated as the secondary representative.

The nominees had agreed to abide by the Code of Conduct in accordance with the Standards Commissions Guidance.

The Committee agreed the above appointments.

III PROPOSAL TO MOVE 4TH MAY, 2020 PUBLIC HOLIDAY TO FRIDAY, 8TH MAY, 2020 TO MARK VE DAY

There was submitted Agenda Note AN66-2019 reporting that the UK government had recently announced a change to the date of the Early May Bank Holiday next year. It had been shifted from 4th May to 8th May to coincide with celebrations for the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

The Scottish Government had contacted Councils at the end of June requesting that consideration be given to, where possible, scheduling school holidays/in-service days to allow as many people as possible to participate in any celebrations planned for this significant anniversary.

Perth and Kinross and Angus Councils had scheduled 8th May as a school holiday replacing the traditional May Day holiday. SQA had also reserved 8th May as a Bank Holiday with no examinations being held on that day. 4th May however now had SQA examinations in Higher and Advanced Higher English scheduled.

It was proposed that the holiday planned for 4th May, 2020 be moved to 8th May, 2020. Trade Unions, Head Teachers and Parent Council Chairs had been consulted on this proposed change.

The Committee approved accordingly.

IV RAISING ATTAINMENT INCLUDEM PROJECT

Reference was made to Article III of the minute of meeting of the Education Committee of 22nd April, 2013, wherein plans to commence the Dundee and Includem Raising Attainment Project were approved.

There was submitted Report No 294-2019 by the Executive Director of Children and Families Services providing an update on the Dundee and Includem Raising Attainment Project. The report was informed by the findings from an independent outcome evaluation commissioned by the Robertson Trust and completed by Blake Stevenson Ltd in April, 2019. Following cessation of the Project in June, 2019, the report also outlined the future nature of revised Includem service provision within the Children and Families Service from June, 2019.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) note the contents of the report; and

(ii) instruct the Executive Director of Children and Families Service to continue to monitor the success of the revised Includem Service provision.

V CARERS (SCOTLAND) ACT 2016 AND YOUNG CARERS

Reference was made to Article V of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 10th September, 2018. There was submitted Report No 296-2019 by the Executive Director of Children and Families Service providing a progress update of the Councils response to young carers as outlined in the carers (Scotland) Act 2016. In particular, it detailed the initial positive impact following the introduction of A Caring Dundee: A Strategic Plan for Supporting Carers in Dundee 2017-2020 and an accompanying Young Carers Statement and Framework, which included Eligibility Criteria and Eligibility Thresholds.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) note the progress, success and impact to date; and

(ii) instruct the Executive Director of Children and Families Service to provide a further update report on the implementation of the Act in 12 months.

VI INFORMAL CONSULTATION ON THE LEARNING ESTATE

The Committee acceded to a request for a deputation to address the Committee relative to this item of business. After the deputation had stated their case and answered questions from members of the Committee, they were thanked for their attendance and withdrew.

On a reference to Article VI of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 28th January, 2019, there was submitted Report No 297-2019 by the Executive Director of Children and Families Service setting out the progress made in relation to the collaborative work of Dundee City, Angus and Perth and Kinross Councils in relation to possible improvements to their respective learning/school estates. The report also provided key findings from the related informal consultation process conducted between March and June, 2019, including key findings emanating from the digital engagement strategies with key stakeholders.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) instruct the Executive Director of Children and Families Service to bring back a formal consultation paper to Children and Families Services Committee in December for approval to consider how primary provision for the Western Gateway can be taken forward; and

(ii) instruct the Executive Director of Children and Families Service to carry out further work on the options for Braeview Academy and Craigie High School and bring recommendations back to the Children and Families Services Committee for approval in December.

Stewart HUNTER, Convener.