Agenda item

6.1

The Executive Director, Children, Young People and Families, submitted a report containing an update on the redesign of Early Years Services. 

6.2

In attendance for this item was Dawn Walton, Assistant Director, Prevention and Early Intervention, Children, Young People and Families.

6.3

The report contained details on the progress made since the decision of the Cabinet, at its meeting held on 27^th February, 2013, to approve the redesign of Early Years Services, and focused on the four key areas in terms of the redesign – Children’s Centre Areas, Quality of Provision, Contracts for Procurement of Prevention and Intervention Services and Childcare.  Ms Walton emphasised the fact that, despite the levels of concerns raised, particularly with regard to the decision to reduce the number of children’s centres from 36 to 17, all the issues raised had been addressed. 

6.4

Members of the Committee raised questions and the following responses were provided:-

·                Whilst it had been appreciated that there was likely to be a significant level of anxiety in connection with potential redundancies, the feedback received from staff, following the redesign, had been generally positive.

·                Further to the concerns raised by parents who, following the reduction in the number of Children’s Centres, would have to travel long distances to find their closest Centre, by working with other providers and schools, provision had been identified locally for all those children affected by changes in childcare provision.

·                It was accepted that there was not a significant amount of detail in the report, but it was considered that Members had already been provided with considerable detail in terms of the proposed redesign.  It had also been considered that, on the basis that there had been very few problems as part of the redesign, it had not been considered necessary to provide significant detail as part of the update. 

·                The lower super output area level referred to those areas of deprivation, where special consideration had been given to studying the analysis of the data regarding the take-up of places and the gaps in provision.  The Service was aware that there were going to be issues regarding take-up of the Free Early Learning places for two-year olds, in the light of the expected increase in demand through the Government’s expansion.

·                The process in terms of securing quality in the early year’s childcare provision had been outlined as part of the previous scrutiny exercise.  The Early Years Service had used OFSTED data in order to identify where there were any gaps in provision, or whether such provision was of sufficient quality, and had taken any relevant action it deemed necessary.  Efforts had been made to ensure that there was sufficient provision available to  give parents a good choice.  In those areas where inadequate provision had been identified, of which there were only a few, providers had taken up the support being offered by the Local Authority to improve quality. Special efforts had been made to ensure that the relevant safeguarding procedures were in place in connection with all the provision.

·                Full details of the financial implications had been reported at a previous meeting of this Committee.  The financial implications relating to the TUPE transfer of staff had been built into the financial planning for the 2014/15 Financial Year.  This may change as the Service develops a future commissioning strategy.  Full financial details would be made available in with any future strategy.

·                Although there was no detail on the issue in this report, the Service was well aware of the need to focus on issues surrounding the readiness of children when attending school.  This would be taken into consideration when the new provision with regard to Early Years Services was being set, and would be detailed in a report to this Committee in future.

·                Although discussions with OFSTED, following the inspections, had been generally positive, any areas of concern would be considered as part of the future planning in terms of other children’s centres.

·                There had been delays in the commissioning of contracts to deliver prevention and intervention services. Therefore, the Service will be considering support through these services, as part of a future commissioning strategy, which will be procured for delivery from April 2015.  There was a need for a clear understanding of the parents’ requirements to shape future services and therefore, consultation with parents and key stakeholders would inform future delivery.  The Service was also planning to consult with schools in the near future in terms of their requirements regarding prevention and intervention services.

·                The Local Authority had to follow a statutory process as part of the redesign of children’s centre provision, which had involved a significant level of consultation with the Area Forums (previously Advisory Groups).  It had been considered that the process regarding the reduction of Children’s Centres from 36 to 17 had progressed very well and had resulted in an increase in provision delivered through volunteers.

·                As part of the Healthy Child Programme, the Service was planning to undertake a joint assessment of children at two years old and when they started reception class, in order to monitor their progress.

·                The overall cost savings in terms of the redesign of the Services amounted to £3.5m.

6.5

RESOLVED: That the Committee:-

(a)       notes the information contained in the report now submitted, together with the information now reported and the responses to the questions raised, with regard to the developments made in connection with the redesign of Early Years Services; and

(b)       requests that the Committee look at Early Years Services as part of its future Work Programme.