Hampshire County Council
Councillors:
78
Wards:
76
Committees:
49
Meetings (2025):
165
Meetings (2024):
156
Meeting
Children and Young People Select Committee - Hampshire
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Friday, 7th March 2025
10:00 AM
Friday, 7th March 2025
10:00 AM
End:
Friday, 7th March 2025
2:00 PM
Friday, 7th March 2025
2:00 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
07 Mar 2025
07 Mar 2025
Location:
Ashburton Hall, Elizabeth II Court, The Castle, Winchester
Ashburton Hall, Elizabeth II Court, The Castle, Winchester
Meeting Attendees
Independent Group Deputy
Liberal Democrats Spokesperson
Co-opted Member
Robert Sanders
Church of England Schools Representative
Present, as expected
Co-opted Member
Gemma Rainger
Parent Governor for Primary Schools
Present, as expected
Co-opted Member
Vacancy
Catholic Schools Representative
Not required
Co-opted Member
Richard Mounfield
Parent Governor for Secondary Schools
Present, as expected
Co-opted Member
Christie Franklin
Parent Governor for Special Schools
Absent
Agenda
0
EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC
Minutes
The Committee agreed that the public be excluded from the meeting for Agenda Item 9, as it was likely, in view of the nature the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if a member of public were present during those discussions there would be disclosure to them of exempt information within the meaning of para 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Govt Act 1972 being information relating to the financial or business affairs of in this case the Local Authority. While there may be a public interest in disclosing this information, on balance, the Committee agreed that this is outweighed by other factors in favour of maintaining the exemption, namely by the requirement to consider the implications of the Local Authority’s actions without the disclosure of information that could adversely affect the day-to-day ability of the Local Authority to deliver its services. The Committee agreed to consider Agenda Item 9 at the end of the meeting.
1
Apologies for Absence
To receive any apologies for absence.
Minutes
Apologies were received from Councillors Burton, Drew, Tod, Parker Jones, Brent and Heron.
Councillor Groves was in attendance as a deputy member.
Councillor Groves was in attendance as a deputy member.
2
Declarations of Interest
All Members who believe they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that interest and, having regard to Part 3 Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members’ Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore all Members with a Personal Interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider, having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 4 of the Code, whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, consider whether it is appropriate to leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.
Minutes
Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3, Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Personal interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.
No declarations were made.
No declarations were made.
3
Minutes of Previous Meeting
To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.
Attachments:
- Document CYPSC 22 January 2025 27 Feb 2025
Minutes
The Minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
4
Deputations
To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.
Minutes
The Committee did not receive any deputations.
5
Chairman's Announcements
To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.
Minutes
The Chairman announced that the Agenda Item 8 Education Catering Update would be circulated via email for Members’ information.
6
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) 0-25 Update Report – SEN performance and joint working
To provide an annual update on progress against the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Reforms implemented in 2014.
Attachments:
- Document HCC SEND Annual Report - CYP Select Committee 07.03.25 27 Feb 2025
- Document Item 6 - presentation 27 Feb 2025
Minutes
The Committee received the update report on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Performance and Joint Working.
Members were grateful for the update and thanked officers for the significance of the joint working being undertaken alongside a variety of partners. Members discussed the rising numbers of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) and noted that the Council was lobbying for policy change at a national level with regular MP briefings taking place. The importance of working with parents and families was noted in ensuring that the correct support was in place and the reasons for applying for an EHCP were understood.
The Committee noted that there was more than sufficient resource to support the SEND Service Helpline which education settings were strongly encouraged to use. Members discussed the terminology ‘Ordinarily Available Provision’ and how this term could be more clear in it’s meaning. The Committee noted that the term was used nationally.
There was also discussion regarding the transition from Children’s Services SEND support to Adult Services support after the age of 25 and the different thresholds and criteria for support across the two groups.
In response to Members’ questions, it was noted that:
· The recent NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight restructure had resulted in there being a Designated Clinical Officer for SEND (0-25 years) in each Local Authority area across Hampshire.
· Teacher SEND training was limited and the County Council had no power to mandate any training. Members heard that lobbying with Government was ongoing to try and change this.
RESOLVED:
That the Children and Young People Select Committee note the update.
Members were grateful for the update and thanked officers for the significance of the joint working being undertaken alongside a variety of partners. Members discussed the rising numbers of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) and noted that the Council was lobbying for policy change at a national level with regular MP briefings taking place. The importance of working with parents and families was noted in ensuring that the correct support was in place and the reasons for applying for an EHCP were understood.
The Committee noted that there was more than sufficient resource to support the SEND Service Helpline which education settings were strongly encouraged to use. Members discussed the terminology ‘Ordinarily Available Provision’ and how this term could be more clear in it’s meaning. The Committee noted that the term was used nationally.
There was also discussion regarding the transition from Children’s Services SEND support to Adult Services support after the age of 25 and the different thresholds and criteria for support across the two groups.
In response to Members’ questions, it was noted that:
· The recent NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight restructure had resulted in there being a Designated Clinical Officer for SEND (0-25 years) in each Local Authority area across Hampshire.
· Teacher SEND training was limited and the County Council had no power to mandate any training. Members heard that lobbying with Government was ongoing to try and change this.
RESOLVED:
That the Children and Young People Select Committee note the update.
7
Attendance - an overview of the measures in place in Hampshire Schools to reduce persistence and severe absenteeism
To provide an overview of school attendance in Hampshire and to consider the implications of changes in national statutory guidance.
Attachments:
- Document Attendance Report - CYP Selection Committee 07.03.25 27 Feb 2025
- Document Item 7 - presentation 27 Feb 2025
Minutes
The Committee received a presentation on school absence and with an overview of the measures in place in Hampshire schools to reduce absenteeism.
Members noted that, following an increase in absenteeism after the Covid pandemic, there had been a slight decrease in 2023/24. The direct link between academic achievement and attendance was noted as was the correlation between areas of social deprivation and non-attendance. Members discussed the challenges of cultural and generational attitudes towards attending school and the importance of multi-agency working to effect change over time.
In responses to Members’ questions it was confirmed that:
· Attendance data on young carers was not specifically collected nationally.
· A support first approach was taken in advance of issuing penalty notices. It was confirmed that 10,394 penalty notices had been issued by the County Council in 2024.
RESOLVED:
That the Children and Young People note the report and note the actions being undertaken by the Children’s Services Directorate.
Members noted that, following an increase in absenteeism after the Covid pandemic, there had been a slight decrease in 2023/24. The direct link between academic achievement and attendance was noted as was the correlation between areas of social deprivation and non-attendance. Members discussed the challenges of cultural and generational attitudes towards attending school and the importance of multi-agency working to effect change over time.
In responses to Members’ questions it was confirmed that:
· Attendance data on young carers was not specifically collected nationally.
· A support first approach was taken in advance of issuing penalty notices. It was confirmed that 10,394 penalty notices had been issued by the County Council in 2024.
RESOLVED:
That the Children and Young People note the report and note the actions being undertaken by the Children’s Services Directorate.
8
Education Catering Update
To provide an update on Education Catering.
Attachments:
- Document Item 8 - presentation 27 Feb 2025
9
The Aviary - Early Years and SEN Offer Update
To update on the Early Years and Special Education Needs provision at The Aviary Nursery.
Attachments:
- Document Item 9 - presentation 27 Feb 2025
Minutes
The Committee received an exempt update regarding provision at The Aviary Nursery.
RESOLVED:
That the Children and Young People Select Committee note the update.
RESOLVED:
That the Children and Young People Select Committee note the update.
10
Attainment of Children and Young People in Hampshire Schools 2024
To provide an overview of attainment across Hampshire schools in 2024 at key points in children and young people’s education.
Attachments:
- Document Report Attainment of Children and Young People in Hampshire 2024 - CYP Select Committee 07.03.25 27 Feb 2025
- Document Item 10 - presentation 27 Feb 2025
Minutes
The Children and Young People Select Committee considered the update regarding attainment across Hampshire schools in 2024 at key points in children and young people’s education.
In responses to Members’ questions, it was confirmed that:
· The County Council’s attainment initiatives were funded using a percentage of the maintained schools budget. In comparison to other Local Authorities, the amount spent on attainment initiatives was lower but resulted in better outcomes by comparison.
· There were no national data sets which tracked Post-16 attainment. Members were keen that this was raised with MP’s as part of regular briefings in order to change the national approach.
RESOLVED:
That the Children and Young People Select Committee note the report.
In responses to Members’ questions, it was confirmed that:
· The County Council’s attainment initiatives were funded using a percentage of the maintained schools budget. In comparison to other Local Authorities, the amount spent on attainment initiatives was lower but resulted in better outcomes by comparison.
· There were no national data sets which tracked Post-16 attainment. Members were keen that this was raised with MP’s as part of regular briefings in order to change the national approach.
RESOLVED:
That the Children and Young People Select Committee note the report.
11
Work Programme
To consider and approve the Children and Young People Select Committee Work Programme.
Attachments:
- Document Children and Young People Select Committee Work Programme - master copy 27 Feb 2025
Minutes
The Director of People and Organisation presented the Committee’s work programme.
RESOLVED:
That the Children and Young People Select Committee discussed and agreed potential items for the work programme that can be prioritised and allocated by the Chairman of the Children and Young People Select Committee in consultation with the Director of Children’s Services.
RESOLVED:
That the Children and Young People Select Committee discussed and agreed potential items for the work programme that can be prioritised and allocated by the Chairman of the Children and Young People Select Committee in consultation with the Director of Children’s Services.
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