To consider the draft Children and Young People’s Plan 2018 - 2023, for pre decision scrutiny, ahead of its presentation to full Council.

The committee considered a report which set out the draft Children and Young People Plan 2018 – 2023 ahead of its presentation to Cabinet and full Council. The Childrens Commissioning and Contracts Lead (CCCL) introduced the report and explained that the plan was outcome focused, based on priorities for children across Herefordshire which had been drawn up through engagement with partners. The Plan contained four key priorities which would be subject to a consultation to be undertaken over summer 2018. The Plan was a high level documents; a detailed delivery plan would be developed in due course to implement the priorities.

The committee raised the issues below in the discussion that followed:

·         There was concern locally about delays of access to services provided by CAMHS and the potential impact on school attendance which could result in penalties imposed on parents. The CCCL confirmed that mental health needs were a significant element throughout the Plan and in particular of the Be Healthy priority.

·         It was felt that the Plan required a greater emphasis on the impact of economic wellbeing on children and young people. The impact of poverty on the lives of children and young people was significant and the Plan should refer to poverty reduction strategies. The CCCL confirmed that poverty was not mentioned explicitly in the Plan but it was recognised in areas concerning barriers and challenges to the success of children. This was evident in detail in the Plan concerned with the raising of attainment of children eligible for Free School Meals.

·         The committee explained that it was important that there was context in the Plan regarding areas across Herefordshire of relative deprivation. The CCCL explained that the next stage of the consultation would look to draw together local information and intelligence.

·         The committee welcomed the Plan and felt it was a coherent and focused document.

·         Members felt that the Plan should make reference to refugee and migrant families in the County.

·         The Plan was also felt to require mention of net migration into the County particularly in light of the new university and young people coming to Hereford to access higher education.

·         The gap between the proportion of children with SEN nationally and those in Herefordshire was raised and what explanation there could be for the high level recorded in the county. The DCWB explained that work was being undertaken to look into this issue.

·         It was felt that the Plan should refer to the issue of County lines which was an issue that was not fully recognised in Herefordshire as a rural area.

RESOLVED: that the Committee recommends that the Plan includes reference to:

a)    the impact of poverty and deprivation on children and young people;

b)    refugee and migrant children and families; and

c)    the issue of County lines under the be safe from harm priority.  

The meeting adjourned at 3.16 p.m. and reconvened at 3.21 p.m.