Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Education, Children and Adult Services Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 28 August 2014 at 10.05 am.

Webcast Notice: This meeting will be filmed and broadcast over the Internet on the Highland Council website and will be archived and available for viewing for 12 months thereafter.

You are invited to attend the meeting and a note of the business to be considered is attached.

Yours faithfully

Michelle Morris
Depute Chief Executive/
Director of Corporate Development

Business

1. Apologies for Absence
    Leisgeulan

2. Declarations of Interest
    Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt

Members are asked to consider whether they have an interest to declare in relation to any item on the agenda for this meeting. Any Member making a declaration of interest should indicate whether it is a financial or non-financial interest and include some information on the nature of the interest. Advice may be sought from Officers prior to the meeting taking place.

3. Recess Powers
    Cumhachdan Fosaidh

The Committee is asked to note that the Recess Powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 26 June 2014 have not been exercised in relation to the business of the Education, Children and Adult Services Committee.

4. Presentation: Young Carers Strategy
    Taisbeanadh: Ro-innleachd Luchd-cùraim Òga

There is circulated Report No ECAS/20/14 dated 18 August 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which explains that Young Carers can benefit from the caring contribution they make.  However, the demands of caring can be onerous and have an adverse impact on their health and wellbeing.  They need to be supported to manage their caring responsibilities with confidence and to have a life of their own outside caring.

The new strategy for Young Carers builds on the content of the previous strategy and has been updated to reflect the views of young carers and the changing world they live in.

Accompanying the report, there will be a DVD by Skye and Lochalsh Young Carers.

The Committee is invited consider and comment on the issues raised in the strategy and accompanying DVD.

5. Revenue Budget – Final Outturn 2013/14 and Monitoring 2014/15
    Buidseat Teachd-a-steach – Suidheachadh Deireannach 2013/14 agus Sgrùdadh 2014/15 

There is circulated Report No ECAS/21/14 dated 15 August 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides details of the revenue financial outturn for financial year 2013/14 for the former Education, Culture and Sport and Health and Social Care Services.  The report also sets out the Care and Learning revenue monitoring position for 2014/15.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.  the outturn position for 2014/15 for the former Education, Culture and Sport and Health and Social Care
    Services;
ii. the Care and Learning revenue monitoring statement for the period to 30 June 2014, financial pressures and
    mitigating actions as described in the report; and
iii. that management will be pursuing further actions that can be considered in relation to the projected budget
    overspend for 2014/15.

6. Capital Expenditure – Final Outturn 2013/14 and Monitoring 2014/15
    Caiteachas Calpa – Fìor Shuidheachadh Deireannach 2013/14 agus Sgrùdadh 2014/15

There is circulated separately Report No ECAS/22/14 dated 19 August 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which advises of the final expenditure position for the 2013/14 Education, Culture and Sport and Health and Social Care capital programmes and updates on progress with the 2014/15 Care and Learning capital programme.  The report also seeks approval for specific new projects, and there is an update on progress with the future management of the Care and Learning residential estate.  Finally, it provides an update on progress with the Sustainable School Estate Review and seeks approval for recommended actions on some specific matters.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.     note the final position on expenditure on the 2013/14 capital programmes and the position at the end of
       June 2014 for the 2014/15 programme as outlined in Section 2 and detailed in Appendices 1, 2 and 3 of
       the report;
ii.    note the status of the 2014/15 capital programme as detailed in Section 3;
iii.   note the chosen names of the four new primary schools as detailed in Paragraph 3.5.1;
iv.   note the status of the major projects as detailed in Paragraph 3.5.2 and listed in Appendix 4;
v.    note the status of the summer works programme as detailed in Paragraph 3.5.3 and listed in Appendix 5;
vi.   agree that discussions take place with representatives of the Broadford Village Hall Committee to establish
       an appropriate financial contribution from the Council towards the improvement works to the car park as
       detailed in Paragraph 3.5.6;
vii.   agree that the feasibility of converting existing accommodation at Cauldeen Primary School to address an
       immediate demand for places for pupils with Additional Support Needs and creating a new facility to meet
       the requirement to provide 600 hours of free early learning and childcare be progressed as detailed in
       Paragraph 3.5.7;
viii.  agree that an additional £750,000 be allocated to the extension and refurbishment of Cromarty Primary
       School as detailed in Paragraph 3.5.8;
ix.   agree that a feasibility study to explore the viability of creating a regional sports hub in the Highlands be
       progressed and that the outcome be reported back to a future meeting of the Committee as outlined in
       Paragraph 3.5.9;
x.    note the current position on the capital projects at St Clement’s and St Duthus Schools as outlined in
       Paragraph 3.5.10;
xi.   agree that further discussions take place to progress projects to upgrade the drainage at Culloden
       Playing Fields and replace the surface of the synthetic playing field at Jubilee Park in Dingwall as outlined
       in Paragraph 3.5.11;
xii.   agree to homologate the actions taken during the summer recess as detailed in Paragraph 3.5.12;
xiii.  note the progress with the review of the residential estate and the commitment to communicate future
       developments to the appropriate local Ward Members as detailed in Section 4 and Appendix 6;
xiv.  note the progress with the various phases of the Sustainable School Estate Review as detailed in Section
       5;
xv.   note the commitment to bring proposals to the next meeting of the Committee seeking approval to
       replace existing ICT devices in the schools listed in Appendix 7 on the basis of the pupil/device ratio
       currently in place in all other Primary and Secondary Schools as detailed in Section 6;
xvi. agree the allocation of an additional £30,000 from the capital programme to support the successful
       delivery of the new Wick schools projects and to deal with some of the immediate issues with the
       Sustainable School Estate Review process as outlined in Paragraph 7.1; and
xvii. agree that the garages at Nos. 4-6 Laurie Terrace, Thurso be disposed of in accordance with current
       Highland Council policy as detailed in Paragraph 7.2.

7. For Highland’s Children 4
    Airson Clann na Gàidhealtachd 4

There is circulated Report No ECAS/23/14 dated 18 August 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which introduces the final draft Integrated Children’s Service Plan, For Highland’s Children 4, which is circulated separately as Booklet A.

The Committee is invited to approve the final draft of the Integrated Children’s Services Plan, subject to formal agreement with NHS Highland.

8. Preferred Site for Proposed 3 to 18 Campus in Tain
    Làrach 3 gu 18 a Thathar a’ Moladh airson Baile Dhubhthaich – Làrach a Thathar a’ Moladh

There is circulated Report No ECAS/24/14 dated 18 August 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which recommends that the proposed 3 to 18 campus in Tain should be located on the existing Tain Royal Academy site following an extensive engagement process with the local community and the completion of a site selection matrix that scored various criteria including site suitability, location, community impact and affordability.

The Committee is invited to agree that the proposed 3 to 18 campus in Tain should be the existing Tain Royal Academy site (Option 1A) on the basis of the proposed site layout in Appendix 6 of the report.

9. Sustainable School Estate Review – Initial Proposals for a Statutory Consultation arising from the
    Easter Ross Review
    Làrach 3 gu 18 a Thathar a’ Moladh airson Baile Dhubhthaich – Làrach a Thathar a’ Moladh

There is circulated Report No ECAS/25/14 dated 18 August 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which sets out the recommendations contained within the option appraisal exercise carried out into future educational provision in Tain.

On the basis of the recommendations contained within the option appraisal report, the Committee is invited to agree that a statutory consultation be carried out in relation to the following proposals in accordance with the updated requirements of the Schools Consultation (Scotland) Act 2010:-

• to discontinue education provision at the following campuses – Tain Craighill Primary School, Tain Knockbreck Primary School and St Duthus School and to relocate provision to a new 3 to 18 campus to be established on the site of the existing Tain Royal Academy;
• as an interim measure, until the proposed 3 to 18 campus is available, to relocate current Pre School provision from St. Duthus School campus (English Medium) and the Tain Knockbreck Primary School campus (Gaelic Medium) to temporary modular accommodation on the current Tain Craighill Primary School campus;
• to establish a new 3 to 18 community campus on the site of the existing Tain Royal Academy to provide Early Years, Primary, Secondary, Additional Support Needs (ASN) and Gaelic Medium provision to replace all other local authority education provision within Tain, including the existing Tain Royal Academy building and Community Complex; and
• to combine the existing school catchment areas of Tain Craighill Primary School and Tain Knockbreck Primary School to serve the new combined Primary School within the 3 to 18 campus.

10. School Office Review
      Ath-sgrùdadh Oifis Sgoile

There is circulated Report No ECAS/26/14 dated 18 August 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update on the work of the school office review group and recommends a project trial.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the progress to date;
ii.  agree the implementation of a project trial as outlined in section 4 of the report; and
iii. note the extensive engagement already undertaken and further planned engagement with stakeholders
    during the trial period, the outcomes of which will be reported, periodically, to the Committee.

11. School Lets Project
      Fios às Ùr mu Fhastaidhean Sgoile

There is circulated Report No ECAS/27/14 dated 6 August 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which highlights a number of issues about school lets and asks Members to consider and agree the development of future operating models that aim to provide as effective and efficient a school lets service as possible in line with the resources that are currently available.  It is further recommended that in order to provide a transparent, open and fair system that meets governance and audit requirements, all existing free lets be phased out over three years and that a  Member/Officer working group be established to consider and make recommendations to Committee about any future arrangements with partner organisations providing essential services on behalf of the Council where these involve the provision of “in kind” support in the form of free or reduced charges for the use of school premises.

The Committee is invited to agree that:-

i.  on a case-by-case basis and following appropriate assessment, negotiation and consultation, community
    access to school hubs (defined as secondary schools and geographically proximate primary schools and
    school campus developments) be managed by High Life Highland;
ii.  in schools where High Life Highland is not involved, opportunities to consolidate letting activity in specific
    schools or on specific days be actively explored and, where possible, implemented following consultation
    with regular user groups and Ward Members;
iii. existing free lets be phased out over a three year period from 1 April 2015; and
iv. a Member/Officer working group be established to consider and make recommendations to Committee as
    required about future arrangements with partner organisations providing essential services on behalf of the
    Council where these involved the provision of “in kind” support in the form of free or reduced charges for the
    use of school premises.

12. Children’s Services
       Seirbheisean Cloinne

i. Performance Report
   Aithisg Coileanaidh

There is circulated Report No ECAS/28/14 dated 18 August 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update on the performance framework for Children’s Services.

The Committee is invited to consider and comment on the performance information.

ii. Assurance Report – Lead Agency Delivery of Children’s Services
    Aithisg Barantais - Seirbheisean Cloinne gan Lìbhrigeadh le Buidheann Stiùiridh

There is circulated Report No ECAS/29/14 dated 18 August 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning, the purpose of which is to provide assurance to the NHS Highland Child Health Commissioner in relation to services commissioned and delivered through Highland Council.  The report will be presented to the appropriate strategic committee of NHS Highland.

The report also includes an Exception Report on support for breastfeeding, the purpose of which is to report on current breastfeeding rates and the return rate of the 6-8 week surveillance forms within the Highland Council area, both of which are shared performance measures within the For Highland’s Children Framework.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  consider and comment on the issues raised in the report; and
ii. note the actions in place to improve breastfeeding rates and data collection.

13. Educational Attainment Update
      Fios Às Ùr mu Choileanadh Foghlaim

There is circulated Report No ECAS/30/14 dated 18 August 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an initial analysis of SQA results in Highland schools in 2014.

The Committee is invited to comment on the initial analysis of this year’s SQA results and congratulate the young people of Highland on their successes in this year’s exams.

14. Recognising Achievement
       A’ Comharrachadh Coileanadh

There is circulated Report No ECAS/31/14 dated 18 August 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides information on the development of wider achievement in schools.

The Committee is invited to note the proposed development strategy in this area.

15. Introduction of Universal Free School Meals for Primary 1-3 Pupils
       Biadh-sgoile An-asgaidh ann am P1-3

There is circulated Report No ECAS/32/14 dated 18 August 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update on progress to date in relation to the universal introduction of free school meals for Primary 1-3 pupils from January 2015.

The Committee is invited to note the progress in relation to the implementation of free school meals for all Primary 1-3 pupils from January 2015.

16. Primary Mental Health Worker Service
      Seirbheisean Neach-obrach Slàinte Inntinn Bun-sgoile

There is circulated Report No ECAS/33/14 dated 18 August 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which describes the Primary Mental Health Worker Service in Highland.

Accompanying the report, there will be a presentation by Mr D Morton and Mr W Armstrong, Primary Mental Health Workers.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.  the work being undertaken by the Primary Mental Health Worker Service and the range of services provided;
ii.  the number of children and young people to whom a service is delivered and the timeframes in which
    interventions are provided, which are generally very short.; and
iii. the ongoing work to reduce these timeframes further and the range of supports provided to others to build
    their capacity to provide interventions at an earlier stage.

17. Self Directed Support
      Taic Fèin-stiùirichte

There is circulated Report No ECAS/34/14 dated 15 August 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which sets out the critical issues that need to be considered by the Council as implementation of Self Directed Support progresses in children’s social care services in partnership with NHS Highland.  The For Highland’s Children 4 Improvement Plan is appended to the report.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  consider and comment on the issues raised in the report; and
ii. agree to seek further reports as these various activities are taken forward.

18. Update on Improving School Self-evaluation
      Fèin-mheasadh ann an Sgoiltean – Aithisg Adhartais

There is circulated Report No ECAS/35/14 dated 18 August 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which picks up the priority to improve school self-evaluation and identifies progress with the next steps from the report in March 2013.

The Committee is invited to note the recent actions taken to improve school self-evaluation and comment on the continued developments.

19. Science Academy – Educational Benefits
      Acadamaidh Saidheans – Buannachdan Foghlaim

There is circulated separately Report No ECAS/36/14 dated 18 August 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which sets out the potential educational benefits of a Highland Science Academy.

The Committee is invited to note the potential educational benefits of a Highland Science Academy.

20. School Equality and Diversity Policy/Toolkit
      Poileasaidh/Inneal Co-ionnanachd agus Iomadachd Sgoile

There is circulated Report No ECAS/37/14 dated 18 August 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which explains that all Highland schools will have an active and revised Equal Opportunities Policy in place, based on a new Promoting Equality and Diversity Policy/Toolkit and delivering equality, diversity and children’s rights training by 2017.  The report provides Members with background information and an update on progress.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note the progress of the development and implementation of the standard Equality and Diversity
   Policy/Toolkit and associated training;
ii. agree that a report on the revised Education Anti-Bullying Policy and Guidance be submitted to the
   Committee on 17 November 2014.

21. 1+2 Languages Strategy
       Ro-innleachd 1+2 Chànan

There is circulated Report No ECAS/38/14 dated 18 August 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update on the progress made to date with the 1+2 Languages Strategy and an overview of the implementation strategy for Highland.

The Committee is invited to note the progress in relation to the 1+2 Languages Strategy.

22. 600 Hours Early Learning and Childcare
      600 Uairean Tràth-ionnsachadh agus Cùram-chloinne

There is circulated Report No ECAS/39/14 dated 12 August 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which forms part of the regular reporting on progress with the implementation plan for the expansion of Early Learning and Childcare.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the progress to date with the Implementation Plan for the delivery of 600 hours of Early Learning and
    Childcare; and
ii. agree to the proposal to pay an initial incentive payment to childminders who agree to provide 600 hours of
    childcare for any two year olds from families on Out of Work Benefits who are eligible in 2014/15.

23. Internal Audit Reports
      Aithisgean In-sgrùdaidh

There is circulated Report No ECAS/40/14 dated 18 August 2014 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an overview of the following Internal Audit reports, relating wholly or in part to the Care and Learning Service, considered by the Audit and Scrutiny Committee on 19 June 2014 and progress with the related management actions that were agreed at that Committee:-

• School meals income collection and monitoring system
• School transport
• Inspection of equipment in schools
• Payment to nursery providers
• Records storage at the Highland Archive Centre

The Committee is invited to note the management actions taken to address the issues identified in the Internal Audit reports and, in relation to school transport, agree that:-

i.  the policy be updated to provide clarity in relation to details of the points system used when allocating
    concessionary places where there are more concessionary pupils than places available on a bus;
ii. the policy be updated to include the requirement to promptly inform relevant school parties when school
    transport changes occur following approval of a new contract; and
iii. the current school transport arrangements for Gaelic Medium pupils be reviewed and a further report with
    recommendations be brought back to Committee following consultation with the appropriate stakeholders.

24. Complaints Review Committee Outcome – 19 May 2014
       Toradh Comataidh Ath-sgrùdaidh nan Gearanan – 19 An Cèitean 2014

There is circulated joint Report No ECAS/41/14 dated August 2014 by the Depute Chief Executive and the Director of Care and Learning which sets out the findings and recommendations following a Complaints Review Committee held on 19 May 2014.  The report also provides an overview of the complaints process and highlights the requirement for decisions of the Complaints Review Committee to be reported to the Education, Children and Adult Services Committee.

The Committee is invited to note that:-

i.  the Complaints Review Committee met to consider this case, and the findings; and
ii. the Complaints Review Committee made no recommendations.

25. Complaints Review Committee Outcome – 28 May 2014
       Toradh Comataidh Ath-sgrùdaidh nan Gearanan – 28 An Cèitean 2014

There is circulated joint Report No ECAS/42/14 dated 18 August 2014 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development and the Director of Care and Learning which sets out the findings and recommendations following a Complaints Review Committee held on 28 May 2014. The report also provides Members with an overview of the complaints process and highlights the requirement for decisions of the Complaints Review Committee to be reported to the Education, Children and Adult Services Committee.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.  that the Complaints Review Committee met to consider this case, and the findings;
ii. the recommendations made by the Complaints Review Committee;
iii. that, following this outcome, a presentation of the complaints process was made to Children’s Services
    Managers and online guidance has been circulated and cascaded to relevant managers.

26. Minutes
      Geàrr-chunntas

The following Minutes are circulated for noting or approval as appropriate:-

i.   Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership Strategy Group – 6 February 2014
ii.  Highland Child Protection Committee – 29 April 2014
iii. Highland Culture Strategic Board – 26 May 2014
iv. Criminal Justice Sub-Committee – 5 June 2014
v.  Local Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff – 13 June 2014