·  Introduction of new Chair – Cllr. Sheila Clarke

·  Nominations for new Deputy Chair

Cllr Sheila Clarke declared an interest in Item 89 Child Poverty by virtue of her involvement with the Child Poverty Board.

Matters Arising

David noted an item 79 relating to fare dodging, that a change in approach has been adopted by the BT Police, which was working well so far.

Councillor Clark updated that with regard to the Connexions contract Vivian Stafford will attend the May Children’s Trust Board meeting to give a formal update.

Resolved: Minutes agreed as a true record.

Nancy Clarkson presented the draft Children and Young People’s Plan for 2012/2013 and the 2011/2012 Annual report. The refresh reflects on the achievements of the Trust Board for 2011/12 and highlights where key challenges still remain.

Nancy invited comments from the Board on the review for 2011/12 plan.

Richard Longster asked how effective a one year plan has worked for the Trust.  Nancy noted that for this year a one year plan has worked for the Trust but it is labour intensive to produce and it was felt that a three year plan gave a stronger strategic planning approach.

Jane Owens asked where the refresh and the plan will go now approved.

Nancy replied that it goes to Overview and Scrutiny and that schools are also informed of the plans production. Jane added it would be useful for this to additionally go to Chairs of Governors.

Sue Brown requested the additional comment for Staying Safe section.

Councillors Clarke and Williams thanked everyone involved in the production of the plan.

Nancy outlined the structure of the new 2012/13 plan.

Bev Morgan requested that the Child Poverty training is added to the workforce development section of the plan.

Nancy requested comments and amendments.  Amanda Farrel commented on the usefulness of the Wirral Borough statistics as it highlights the stark contrasts across the Borough.

Resolved: The board endorsed the report

Maureen McDaid introduced the progress made within the IFIP (formerly Community Budgets).

Maureen noted that a support post has now been created and approved. The post will be funded on a three year secondment basis.  This will go to Appointments and Employment Committee shortly.  Work is on track with Interface to identify the families that will be involved in the project.

Ch. Supt. John Martin asked how many families would be involved.  Maureen noted that 900 families will be worked with over the 3 years.

The payment by results element is around £3,500 per family supported.  This can be used to buy additional support that might be required and will be allocated based on performance and results.

Sue Brown asked how far we are in identifying the families.

Maureen noted that Interface will hold briefing sessions for all partners and work with partners to identify families and with issues around data sharing.

Sue noted that data sharing needs to be managed well and should be agreed regionally or nationally.

Maureen updated that new timelines for identification of the families will be given shortly from central Government.

Ch. Supt. John Martin asked whether the families will be a snapshot or an ongoing programme.  Maureen updated that it is expected that this will be an ongoing process, starting with 300 families initially.

Resolved: The Board noted the report.

Maureen McDaid gave an update on the priorities for the EIG commissioning process for 2012/2013

David noted that the EIG is £2.5m of work.  He added that costs are not cast in stone and contracts may involve adjustments, for example when performance is an issue and contracts are not being delivery.

Councillor Clarke clarified that there are procedures in place to appeal against funding changes.

Resolved: The Board noted the report.

Bev Morgan updated that the Council have allocated £400,000 to work in the area of child poverty.

Bev added that the Child Poverty training has been taking place and will be made available as an e-learning module and in addition as part of the common induction programme.

Councillor Clarke has undertaken the training and noted how useful it was and how powerful the case study work was to illustrate the impact of the consequences of choices and decisions on the overall impact of child poverty.

Bev reiterated that everyone in the child’s workforce should be trained.  Councillor Clarke updated that the Child Poverty Strategy went to the Health and Wellbeing Board.  The GP Consortia are keen to be involved.  David Armstrong noted that the GP consortia now have a Governing Body which should improve relationships, dialogue and good practice sharing.

Councillor Williams added that all members should be trained within the Child Poverty training. Bev noted that Jane Morgan is producing a summary guide to the Child Poverty Strategy.

Nancy noted that the Workforce Group would be a good driver to deliver the training as part of its work programme.

Resolved: The Board noted the update.

Vivian Stafford presented a report which outlined the changes in the participation age for young people.  The Education and Skills Act 2008 legislated the raise in the compulsory participation age to at least their 18^th Birthday.  Participation includes all education, employment or training with an accredited outcome, to enable them to progress.  This will be a staggered change, for their 17^th Birthday in September 2013 and 18^th Birthday from 2015.

This change is expected to impact on the strong correlation between young people NEET and engagement in risky behaviour, having poor health and low income.

In Wirral self assessment has informed the development of the RPA plan alongside consultation with the 14-19 Partnership Group.

Vivian noted the importance of understanding the cohort of young people involved and ensuring that the provision landscape meets their needs.  Vivian added that managing transitions and thorough tracking, underpinned by effective support mechanisms are key to improving participation.

The establishment of a new measure is being developed to track young people who are at Risk of becoming NEET (RONI), ensure support is targeted effectively.

Vivian outlined the 14-19 RPA governance structure which includes key stakeholders included providers and colleges.  It also includes the NEET action group which is a thorough analysis of individual young people.

Jane Owens noted that there may be benefit implications for parents in relation to increased participation and now is the communicated to parents.  Vivian replied that a small amount of money has been secured to fund a support post to work with NEET young people and their families to support them through the benefits system.

Kathryn Podmore commended the job to date and noted that Central Government are still finalising details and awaiting consultation responses.  Kathryn added that ‘fining parents’ would be a potential issue that may be managed via the Local Authority.  Measurements are being developed for schools to measure the participation rates of pas pupils at aged 19.

There is currently a consultation open to which the LA will be responding.

Richard Longster asked if there was a focus on education.  Kathryn Podmore replied it is having the right types of courses and young people in the most suitable courses.

Councillor Clarke thanked Vivian and her team for the work in this area.

Resolved: The Board endorsed the report and the Governance Structure.

Nancy updated on the Children’s Workforce Strategy which has been developed.  The Strategy is still in draft format and is open for comments or amends.  The Strategy is aligned to the CYPP.

Nancy added that all the Childrrn’s Trust partners have signed up to the strategy and outlined the key items within the strategy.  Nancy highlighted the consultations with young people and the outcomes matrix that outlines the changes and improvements that children and young people would expect to see.

Resolved: The Board note the draft action plan. 

Lucy Tomlinson introduced the Teenage Pregnancy (TP) Strategy Refresh.  This paper succeeds the National Teenage Pregnancy Strategy which came to an end in 2010.  The current TP rate per 1,000 young women aged 15-17 is 47.3 compared to 40.6 in the NW and 35.4 for England.

In 2010 the Health Services in schools was launched and it is expected to impact on conception rates for 2011 onwards.

The local TPS plan has been developed to delivery a more local focus.  The targets set a reduction of 5% overall with local targets of up to 7% in high rate areas including Birkenhead, Bidston, Seacombe and Tranmere.  Targeted support is delivered to identified groups of young people by better use of data and information sharing.

Councillor Williams asked if young mums are consulted to identify what factors they believe led to teenage motherhood.  Fiona added that this work was being undertaken to consult with young mums to identify support that may have prevented or delayed their teenage motherhood.

Jane Owens asked if there was anything that Governors could do to raise the profile and health services in schools.

Councillor Clarke thanked Fiona and Lucy for their contribution.

Resolved: The Board agreed the targets and endorsed the report.

Tracy Little updated on the Q3 performance which outlines performance against the Children and Young People’s Plan.

Indicators that are not expected to hit the year end target include the percentage of children who have been subject to Child Protection (CP) plan for a second or subsequent time. Performance in this area is above the expected target but has improved over the previous three quarters. This is linked to the high numbers who currently have a CP plan overall and the extra pressure that builds in a family when subsequent children are born. This results in not just the youngest child having a plan but the older siblings may also be issued with a subsequent plan.  The rate of 17.5% is comparable to the end of year rate for 2010/11.

Core assessments for children have increased by almost 33% since the same period last year; this has resulted in a reduction in the number of assessments that are being completed within timescale. Children are seen and safeguarded, however the complexity and volume of work that requires detailed assessment has increased. It is not expected that this indicator will hit the end of your target.

Resolved: The Board note the report