To provide the Committee with the opportunity to consider and influence the partnership priorities for the next children and young people’s plan, covering the period 2011-2014.

The Committee considered the partnership priorities for the next Children and Young People’s Plan, covering the period 2011-2014.

The Head of Children’s Trust Development presented the report and highlighted that while The Department for Education (DfE) had removed the requirement to have a plan of this nature, there was a real commitment in the County for partnership working to continue and a plan was needed to focus and direct the work of the partners.  The new plan would benefit families, children and young people and was currently drafted for consultation. The final plan would be published in April 2011.  The plan would focus on the top priorities that partners in the Children’s Trust would deliver that would make lives better for families and their children.  The proposed priorities of the new plan were appended to the agenda report.

The Committee considered the priorities and during the course of debate the following principal points were noted:

• It was commented that preventative work was money well spent. The Interim Director of Children’s Services reported that the directorate restructure had been predicated on helping parents and families to help them selves.

·         In relation to reducing childhood obesity and the importance of breastfeeding in providing the best start in life, it was questioned whether funding for initiatives would continue.  Health colleagues would be consulted and a briefing note provided to Members on the issue.  A briefing note was also requested providing further information (statistics, definitions and clarification) on the National Child Measurement Programme.

• The rate of smoking and drinking in the youth population would only change when there was a change in the youth culture and education was a key element in this.
• It was suggested that percentage figures used in the plan should be supported with actual figures.
• Responding to the suggestion that, with appropriate safeguards in place, the Youth Council should be contactable via Facebook the Committee noted that this was already being investigated.
• While all the priorities were excellent, appropriate funding was necessary. The Interim Director of Children’s Services responded that the Young Peoples Plan should lead to a 3 year strategic plan and in turn should produce a business plan for its delivery.
• While it was questioned whether attainment levels correlated to social groupings it was noted that attainment at the Hereford Academy had significantly improved.
• Considering opportunities for young people and the NEET target (Not in Education, Employment or Training) it was questioned how many apprenticeships the Council offered.  Members would be provided with information by briefing note.
• The Committee noted that the existing “duty to co-operate” amongst the partners in the Plan would remain in place, although schools and colleges will be removed, subject to parliamentary approval, in the Education Bill due shortly.  The Interim Director of Children’s Services responded that the partnership would have to comply with the statute.  However, locally the partnership was looking to develop a ‘family of provision’ and the Heads of schools and colleges had indicated that they were keen to be part of that family.

RESOLVED: that the draft priorities set out in the consultation document for the Children and Young People’s Plan be noted and on the close of the consultation an update report be presented to the March 2011 Committee meeting.