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 26 January 2017 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.    Presentation: Safe, Strong and Free
       Taisbeanadh: Sàbhailte, Làidir agus Saor

There will be a presentation by Kerry Glen, Project Co-ordinator for Safe, Strong and Free, a Highland charity that is funded by Highland Council to reduce the vulnerability of young children to abuse and assault.

The main approach of the organisation is workshops which teach children about serious issues in a ‘fun’ way. Rather than frightening children, they focus on empowering the children with tools to stay safe and the knowledge that their body belongs to them.

These workshops impact basic, effective assertiveness and resistance strategies.  Safe Strong and Free believe that children’s vulnerability will be reduced by raising awareness of families and communities, in conjunction with providing children with resources of their own that they can use when they find themselves in a difficult situation.

4.    Outstanding Achievements
       Coileanaidhean Air Leth

Members will be informed about outstanding achievements by people and groups, to be noted and commended by the Committee.

5.    Revenue Budget
       Buidseat Teachd-a-steach

There is circulated Report No ECAS/01/17 dated 13 January 2017 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update on the Care and Learning revenue budget position to the end of December 2016.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note the forecast outturn for the 2016/17 financial year; and
ii. agree the Red/Amber/Green status of budget savings.

6.    Care and Learning Capital Programme – Monitoring Report
       Prògram Calpa a’ Chùraim agus an Ionnsachaidh – Aithisg Sgrùdaidh

There is circulated Report No ECAS/02/17 dated 18 January 2016 by the Director of Care and Learning which outlines the position of the Care and Learning capital programme as at the end of December 2016 along with the current status of the major projects that are underway.  The report also advises on the outcome of the recent review of the Council’s capital programme and some of the implications for projects in the currently approved programme.  In addition, it provides an update on future investment priorities and the review of Inverness schools, with some immediate priorities recommended for approval.

The Committee is invited to agree that:-

i. the Tain 3-18 Campus project continue to be progressed on the basis that additional funding will be allocated from the SSER – Future Projects budget heading within the Care and Learning capital programme as set out in paragraph 3.10 of the report;
ii. the decision to grant an exception to Contract Standing Orders for the procurement of a replacement modular unit at Broadford Primary School be homologated as set out in paragraph 4.3 of the report;
iii. options for further medium term solutions to address the accommodation issues at St Clement’s School be explored as set out in paragraph 4.4 of the report;
iv. details of the projects required in 2017/18 be reported back to the next meeting of the Committee on 1 March but that the contract for the works at St Joseph’s Primary School be awarded, all as set out in paragraphs 4.5 and 4.6 of the report;
v. a new primary school at Ness Castle Primary school be approved as a priority project from within the £48M currently allocated for Inverness School projects, with a report to commence a statutory consultation to come back to a future meeting of the Committee as set out in paragraph 5.5 of the report;
vi. the contract be awarded for the Cauldeen Primary School project as set out in paragraph 5.6 of the report; and
vii. design work be undertaken on the proposed extension and refurbishment project at Smithton Primary School as set out in paragraph 5.7.

7.    Children’s Services – Performance Report
       Seirbheisean Chloinne – Aithisg Choileanaidh

There is circulated Report No ECAS/03/17 dated 17 January 2017 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.

8.    Children’s Services – Assurance Report
       Seirbheisean Chloinne – Aithisg Bharantais

There is circulated Report No ECAS/04/17 dated 16 January 2017 by the Director of Care and Learning, the purpose of which is to provide assurance to NHS Highland in relation to services commissioned and delivered through Highland Council.  The content of each assurance report is informed by the Highland Health and Social Care Committee and discussion with the Child Health Commissioner.

The Committee is invited to consider and comment on the issues raised in this report.  Comments will be incorporated into a report to NHS Highland as part of the revised governance arrangements.

9.    Statutory Consultation – Closure of Kinbrace Primary School
       Co-chomhairle Reachdail – Dùnadh Bun-Sgoil Cheann a’ Bhràiste

There is circulated Report No ECAS/05/17 dated 11 January 2017 by the Director of Care and Learning which, following conclusion of the statutory consultation process, sets out a recommendation to discontinue the provision of education at Kinbrace Primary School, dividing its catchment area between those of Helmsdale and Melvich Primary Schools.

The Committee is invited to agree to recommend that the Council discontinue education provision at Kinbrace Primary School, dividing its catchment area between those of Helmsdale and Melvich Primary Schools.

10.    Statutory Consultation – Catchment Boundary between Lundavra Primary School and Inverlochy Primary School
         Co-chomhairle Reachdail – Crìoch na Sgìre-Sgoile eadar Bun-Sgoil Lunn Dà Bhrà agus Bun-Sgoil Inbhir Lòchaidh

There is circulated Report No ECAS/06/17 dated 16 January 2017 by the Director of Care and Learning which seeks agreement to conduct a statutory consultation proposing a minor change to the catchment boundary between Lundavra Primary School and Inverlochy Primary School.

The Committee is invited to proceed to statutory consultation on the proposal to change the catchment boundary between Lundavra Primary School and Inverlochy Primary School, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

11.    Management of Schools Update
        Fios às Ùr mu Riaghladh Sgoiltean

There is circulated Report No ECAS/07/17 dated 17 January 2017 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides the background to the Management of Schools programme and an update on the progress to date; sets out the new approaches and management structures in eight Associated Schools Groups (ASGs) that are proposed to be developed and taken forward for August 2017; and provides details of the further development of these approaches across all other ASGs over the next three years.

The Committee is invited to agree:-

i. the strategic direction set out in the report;
ii. the proposals for the eight ASGs set out in the report; and
iii. in principle, to the post of Principal Teacher Primary – Management, subject to the conclusion of discussions with the Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers.

12.    Developing Young Workforce Update
        Fios às Ùr mu Leasachadh Sgioba-obrach Òg

There is circulated Report No ECAS/08/17 dated 16 January 2017 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update on work done by the Council’s Developing the Young Workforce team in conjunction with schools and partners - employers, colleges, parents and Skills Development Scotland.  The report supports a presentation introducing a new and improved work experience process for schools.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note the progress being made on Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce agenda;
ii. endorse the Hi-Hope work experience process as the common platform to be used by Highland schools when organising work experience, with a review to take place in Spring 2018; and
iii. agree to the extended funding plan to be ring fenced until the end of session 2018/19.

13.    Closing the Attainment Gap
        A’ Dùnadh a’ Bheàirn Bhuileachaidh

There is circulated Report No ECAS/09/17 dated 16 January 2017 by the Director of Care and Learning which summarises progress on the “Scottish Attainment Challenge” in designated Highland Council schools, in the context of the wider Highland strategic plan.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note the report on progress in the “Scottish Attainment Challenge” programme.

14.    ICT in Learning and the Virtual School
        ICT ann an Ionnsachadh agus san Sgoil Bhrìgheil

There is circulated Report No ECAS/10/17 dated 16 January 2017 by the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update with regard to the ICT in Learning Strategy.  This includes information on the process and strategy to deliver the “schools ready” programme to Highland schools that will start to receive Chrome devices from August 2017, as well as progress on establishing a Virtual School provision.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. endorse the work being taken forward as part of the ICT in Learning Strategy, and
ii. approve the “Schools Ready” action plan and the authority training workflow model.

15.    Chief Social Work Officer Report 2015/16
        Aithisg Àrd-Oifigeir na h-Obrach Sòisealta 2015/16

There is circulated Report No ECAS/11/17 dated 16 January 2017 by the Director of Care and Learning which introduces the annual report by the Chief Social Work Officer for 2015/16.

The Committee is invited to note and comment on the issues raised in the annual report.

16.    Time for Inclusive Education
         Ùine airson Foghlam In-ghabhalta

There is circulated Report No ECAS/12/17 dated 16 January 2017 by the Director of Care and Learning which explains that the “Time for Inclusive Education” (TIE) campaign has raised awareness of the bullying experienced by LGBT+ pupils in schools.  National statistics show that there is a significant negative impact due to bullying on the mental health of LGBT+ young people in schools.  Members requested that this report be presented to the Education, Children and Adult Services Committee to provide information on how LGBT issues are being addressed in Highland schools and how bullying relating to gender identity or sexual orientation is being tackled in Highland.

The Committee is invited to endorse the progress made in addressing homophobic and transphobic bullying in Highland and the ongoing actions to monitor the impact of this work and increase inclusive practice in Highland schools.

17.    Minutes
        Geàrr-chunntas

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

i. Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership Strategy Group – 2 August 2016 (for noting);
ii. Highland Child Protection Committee – 23 August 2016 (for noting);
iii. Annual General Meeting of the Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers – 4 November 2016 (draft for noting);
iv. Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers – 4 November 2016 (draft for noting);
v. Highland Council/NHS Highland Joint Monitoring Committee – 17 November 2016 (draft for noting);
vi. Adult Services Development and Scrutiny Sub-Committee – 18 November 2016 (for approval); and
vii. Community Justice Partnership – 1 December 2016 (draft for noting).