Agenda item

The Chair welcomed Bob Stott, Director for Universal and Early Support Services, Directorate for Children and Young People, to the meeting.

It was reported that in January 2010, the leader of the Council had agreed to provide one off funding of £5m towards improving safeguarding and outcomes for Looked After Children and Young People. Of that funding, £2.33m had been allocated to support Early Intervention/Support (EIS) between 2010 and 2013, as outlined in the report.

It was also reported that in April 2011, 12 district early intervention and support development officers had been appointed along with the establishment of the Early Support Team itself to co-ordinate the implementation of the Early Support Strategy, working with the local Children's Trust partnerships.

Whilst there had been some delays in the setting up of the new posts and processes, it was felt to be vital that proper care had been taken to ensure a sound basis for projects and monitoring of effectiveness

The Committee was informed that in 2011, £2m had been found from savings achieved within the Directorate for Children and Young People to support the Best Start Lancashire programme – a three year planned development which would link in with the introduction by the Government of the Pupil Premium model for Free School Meal (FSM) pupils. Financial support for the initiative would continue in to 2012/13.

The Committee was informed that the Best Start programme was currently being launched with headteachers and Children's Centre Managers on a district basis. Children's Centres had already been informed of their funding allocations approximately £250 per FSM pupil in reception, Year 1 and Year 2 in September 2011, which would be used to build the capacity to provide increased family support.

The evaluation process of the programme would focus on the analysis of foundation stage outcomes, key stage 1 data for 2012 and 2013, attendance figures and the reduction of families identified as moving towards 'not coping' on the Continuum of Need.

Currently, the population of children eligible for FSM achieving a good level of performance by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) was almost 8% below the national average. It was hoped that by 2013 this cohort would be brought in line with the national average. It was also hoped that by 2015 pupils at both ends of the EYFS would be in line with the national average.

It was made clear that effective early intervention and support was better for children and families and, if delivered effectively, would also make a considerable contribution to the savings required in by the service.

Members raised a number of questions and comments a summary of which is provided below:

·  Councillors were pleased with the progress to date on the implementation of the EIS strategy and highlighted the importance of early intervention for vulnerable children and young people.

·  The issue of working with VCFS providers was raised. The committee were assured that part of the intention was to maximise the input from VCFS groups. Some concerns were expressed about duplication and competition for funds amongst different organisations and agencies. It was noted that this was not specifically a VCFS problem, but that one for any body involved in delivering services. It was acknowledged that there could not be a "one size fits all" approach in Lancashire, but that there was a requirement for some strong criteria and monitoring to ensure that any funding is used in the most efficient way to achieve the objectives stated.

·  In response to queries about the evidence base, the committee were advised that the Free School Meals take up was widely felt to be a reasonable indicator of deprivation, and was therefore the main indicator used to target funding. However, other indicators, such as attainment and attendance, were also used to support decision making. This would ensure funding was better targeted in Best Start Lancashire than in Sure Start.

·  Members asked whether the County Council would achieve any savings as a result of the implementation of the EIS Strategy. The Committee was informed that service improvements across the Directorate for Children and Young People, the County Council and at District level had contributed to a reduction in the duplication of work.

·  The committee enquired how soon officers could obtain results on the impact of the Best Start strategy. It was suggested that it would take a further two years until officers could compile initial results on the impact of the strategy, but that the aim was a generational shift.

·  A question was asked in relation to sharing best practice between the districts. It was felt that whilst sharing best practice would be beneficial, each district had its own intrinsic issues in which the sharing of ideas might not translate accordingly. A balance would need to be achieved between providing a strong set of parameters for the local work whilst encouraging the sharing of ideas and the development of unique initiatives reflecting local need.

Resolved: That;

  i.  The report be noted;

  ii.  A further report be presented to the Committee in April 2012.