Decision details

The report presented by Bob Stott and Jonathan Hewitt provided information on the attainment, progress and achievements of Lancashire Children Looked After (CLA) in 2014. The findings were based on the unvalidated data released by the DfE (Department for Education) along with local authority information on CLA. The data showed that there were improvements in achievement at the end of Key Stage 2 but achievement for CLA remained well below that of other pupils in Lancashire. 

At the end of Key Stage 4 the information indicated that levels of attainment fell in 2014 and were very low when compared with other pupils. A recovery plan had been developed and was being implemented to help raise standards of achievement for CLA pupils in the secondary phase and particularly at the end of Key Stage 4.

It was felt that focus should not be only on attainment but also on progress. It was pointed out to the Committee that two thirds of CLA had some form of special educational need and also that it was not a fixed cohort as children move in and out of care throughout the year. It was acknowledged that more needed to be done to help these young people reach their full potential and this was a key area of work. The Committee was informed that a new head teacher for Looked After children had been appointed from 1 April 2015.

The Chair invited County Councillor Sue Prynn, Chair of the Corporate Parenting Board to speak. She welcomed the work that had already been done on the Recovery Plan noting that the DfE had acknowledged that there was a range of inter-dependant factors which affected this cohort of young people.

She expressed concern about the number of CLA who were moved whilst in school years ten and eleven, which seriously affected their GCSE examination results. She said that there was evidence to show that, following such a move at this stage of education results dip significantly, and the move was the biggest determining factor. She asked for measures to be put in place to avoid moves and to consider what more could be done to improve placement stability. Officers agreed that it was imperative to avoid unnecessary moves, but pointed out that there would sometimes be factors that would override the need to avoid a move; it was a difficult balance.

She felt that a greater proportion of CLA were placed in lower attaining schools. She acknowledged that it was important for CLA to be placed near their family and social group, but it was important also to ensure that the County Council was doing its best for their education. It was important therefore to consider the attainment levels of the schools in which CLA were placed. The Chair noted that the report had identified, as a priority, the placement of CLA in good or better schools wherever possible and appropriate, but pointed out that often there were many, complex factors which needed to be considered.

County Councillor Prynn said that evidence showed one-to-one tuition would often achieve improved results and whilst she acknowledged that there were resource pressures, she suggested that schools should consider ways in which it could allocate Pupil Premium funding to provide a more innovative approach. Officers agreed that extra-curricular activities were important in building confidence and self-esteem and providing an opportunity for youngsters to shine. The Pupil Premium education provision map would enable the officers to see how schools were using the money.

County Councillor Prynn noted that a significant number of CLA had special educational needs and that many had also been subject to abuse and neglect, and consequently suffered trauma and attachment issues. She said that against that background it was difficult for them to learn and operate cognitively in an educational environment. She asked that consideration be given to how best to support SENCOs (special educational needs co-ordinators) and other relevant professionals to enable them to support CLA and address how emotional factors affected low attainment. Officers agreed that self-esteem and wellbeing needed to be strong for young people to get the best from education.

Concern was expressed about young people placed on remand by the courts into the care of the local authority and the need for all relevant agencies to work closely together to ensure that any further report provided back to the court, or other body, be as full and up to date as possible otherwise the young person's life could be unduly blighted. Officers acknowledged that this was an important issue that would be added to the action plan.

The Chair suggested that the head teacher for CLA be invited to a future meeting of this Committee to discuss the particular areas of concern that had been raised.

Resolved: That,

  i.  Officers be thanked for their report;

  ii.  The head teacher for Looked After and Vulnerable Children be invited to a future meeting of this Committee

  iii.  That a report be provided which addressed the particular concerns raised:

·  That consideration be given to improve placement stability;

·  That CLA be placed in schools rated good or better wherever possible;

·  That schools be more innovative in their use of Pupil Premium funding;

·  That consideration be given to how best to support SENCOs and other relevant professionals to enable them to support CLA and address emotional factors affecting low attainment;

·  The need to strengthen partnerships between schools and other agencies such as CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) and transport providers;

·  The need to support and signpost foster carers to available resources; and

·  That there be a greater emphasis on progress rather than achievement.