To review the attached work programme for 2020/21 and receive responses to the recommendations of the peer on peer abuse in schools spotlight review.

The committee considered the work programme 2020-21 and received an update from the DCF regarding the gradual reopening of schools in Herefordshire.

The items below were proposed for inclusion in the work programme:

·         It was proposed that a report be presented to the next meeting of the committee on 28 July providing an update on the reopening of schools. The report should include detail of the number of children who had returned to school and the known situation of the mental health impact and educational deficit experienced by pupils during the lockdown. It was also requested that detail was made available of how schools would continue to support those children who had not returned to school.  An assessment of the mental health effects of social distancing on young children and how schools were seeking to mitigate this impact was requested within the report.

·         It was proposed that a report was added to the 15 September meeting of the committee concerning how the council was intending to address the impact on school leavers and care leavers of the potential economic downturn and reduced employment opportunities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

·         Childhood obesity had been shown to increase risks associated with COVID-19 and it was proposed that in 2021 the committee consider a report into the issue. It was proposed that the report provide detail as to how the council was taking forward the work presented to the spotlight review concerning childhood obesity in 2018.

·         Concern about the financial viability of children’s care companies, caring for looked after children from Herefordshire, was raised as a potential item for the work programme. It was confirmed that a briefing note would be circulated to all members and a decision could be taken at a later meeting as to whether a fuller report would be required.

·         It was proposed that the committee consider Public Health England’s modernisation of the healthy child programme through the best start in life (BSIL) programme. It was agreed that a briefing note would be circulated.

RESOLVED: The committee agrees that:

·         A report is added to the work programme of the committee for the meeting on 28 July concerning the reopening of schools, covering the details outlined above;

·         A report is added to the work programme of the committee for the meeting on 15 September regarding the potential economic downturn and the impact on opportunities for school leavers and care leavers;

·         A report is added to a meeting of the committee in 2021 concerning work to address childhood obesity;

·         A briefing note is circulated concerning the financial viability of children’s care companies caring for looked after children from Herefordshire; and

·         A briefing note is circulated concerning the Public Health England’s BSIL programme.

The committee received the response of the executive to the report and recommendations of the spotlight review concerning peer on peer abuse in schools. It was noted that recommendation (ix), concerning a resource pool for schools to access when addressing complex cases of peer on peer abuse, had been partially agreed and it was queried whether the nature of the resources proposed by the recommendation had been understood. The resources proposed concerned support beyond financial means and included advice, guidance and tools available from schools and the council. It was requested that an update on the response to the recommendation be provided to the next meeting of the committee.