Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed all attendees to the meeting and explained the emergency evacuation procedure.

None.

To note any declarations of interest from councillors. They are asked to

indicate the relevant agenda item, the nature of the interest and in particular

whether it is a disclosable pecuniary interest.

Any declaration of interest made at the meeting which is not on the register of

interests should be notified to the Monitoring Officer for inclusion.

None.

To approve the minutes of the previous meetings as follows:

a. 28 November 2024

b. 23 January 2025

a. Minutes – Children and Young People Policy Committee - 28 November 2024

On the motion of the Chair, seconded by Cllr Hornchen, the Committee RESOLVED:

- To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Children and Young People Policy Committee held on 28 November 2024 as a correct record, to be signed by the Chair.

b. Minutes – Children and Young People Policy Committee - 23 January 2025

On the motion of the Chair, seconded by Cllr Hornchen, the Committee RESOLVED:

- To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Children and Young People Policy Committee held on 23 January 2025 as a correct record, to be signed by the Chair.

To receive any announcements from the Chair.

The Chair commented that the Full Council had now approved the Council’s 2025/26 budget, including a range of investments across children and young people’s services.

At the invitation of the Chair, the Executive Director: Children and Education updated the Committee in connection with the recent, focused Ofsted visit/inspection of Children’s Social Care Front Door services.  A draft report had been produced by Ofsted which would be published in due course.

Up to 30 minutes is allowed for this item.

Any member of the public or councillor may participate in Public Forum. Public Forum items must relate to the remit of the committee and should be addressed to the Chair of the committee.

Members of the public who plan to attend a public meeting at City Hall are advised that you will be required to sign in when you arrive. Please note that you will be issued with a visitor pass which you will need to display at all times.

Please also note:

Questions

1.      Written public questions must be received by 5.00 pm, at least 3 clear working days prior to the meeting. For this meeting, this means that questions must be received at the latest by 5.00 pm on Friday 28 February. Public Questions should be submitted via our webform: www.bristol.gov.uk/publicforum

2.      Any individual can submit up to 3 written questions.

3.      Written replies to questions will be available on the Council’s website at least one hour before the meeting.

4.      At the meeting, questioners will be permitted to ask up to 2 oral supplementary questions.

Statements

1.      Written statements must be received at latest by 12.00 noon, at least 2 working days prior to the meeting. For this meeting, this means that statements must be received at the latest by 12.00 noon on Tuesday 4 March. Public Questions and Statements should be submitted via our webform: www.bristol.gov.uk/publicforum

2.      Statements, provided they are no more than 1,000 words in length, will be circulated to all committee members and will be published on the Council’s website at least one hour before the meeting.

Petitions

1.      Details of the wording of any petitions, and the number of signatories to petitions must be received at latest by 12.00 noon, at least 2 working days prior to the meeting. For this meeting, this means that petition details must be received at the latest by 12.00 noon on Tuesday 4 March. Please email petition details to policycommittees@bristol.gov.uk

2.      At the meeting, individuals presenting petitions may be required to read out the objectives of the petition.

When submitting a question or statement please indicate whether you are planning to attend the meeting to present your statement or ask your question.

Public questions:

It was noted that no public questions had been received for this meeting.

Public statements:

It was noted that 2 public statements have been received for this meeting, as follows:

1.  Jen Smith: Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

2.  Robyn Silwal: SEND

This report provides an update on the progress of the Corporate Parenting Strategy since its sign-off in July 2024.

The Committee RESOLVED:

1. To note the progress in delivering the Corporate Parenting Strategy 2024-29.

2. (Unanimous vote in favour) That the Committee will continue to promote and profile the corporate parenting agenda across the Council and with its key partners to give the strategy the best chance at success.

The Committee considered a report (agenda item 7) providing an update on the progress of the Corporate Parenting Strategy since its sign-off in July 2024.

Summary of main points raised/noted in discussion of this item:

1. The progress as set out in the report was generally welcomed, particularly in relation to the new care leaver hub, noting that a building for the new hub had been identified, a lease agreement was in place, with the expectation of the service being operational by Easter 2025. It was noted that this service would underpin the wider agenda around increasing access to support for young people leaving care from aged 18.  In response to a question, it was confirmed that arrangements could be made, on request, for members to visit the hub.  It was also confirmed that no age ‘cut-off’ limit was applied to care experienced people in terms of their access to the hub.

2. Members also welcomed the fact that monthly life story workshops (including access to physical books for young people) and drop-ins for staff had been established, together with a two-day training programme for practitioners with more planned for 2025.  In response to questions, it was clarified that specialist training was now available for foster carers and supervising social workers; a citywide life story strategy was also in development.

3. In response to a question, it was confirmed that where family members (grandparents, for example) approved as foster carers were looking after children, these children would be regarded formally as children looked after.

4. It was noted that an event took place on 26 February to celebrate the launch of the Mockingbird constellation, which had allowed an opportunity for the sharing of experiences and to build understanding about how the Mockingbird model could support foster families.  A member who had attended the event commented that it had been an inspiring experience.

The Chair then moved the report recommendations, noting that recommendation 1 was for noting only.

This was seconded by Cllr Hornchen.

The Committee RESOLVED:

1. To note the progress in delivering the Corporate Parenting Strategy 2024-29.

2. (Unanimous vote in favour) That the Committee will continue to promote and profile the corporate parenting agenda across the Council and with its key partners to give the strategy the best chance at success.

This report provides information on the delivery and performance of children’s services in line with the statutory expectations of the Director of Children’s Services. The report identifies key challenges and risks for consideration, areas of progress, and upcoming activity. 

The Committee RESOLVED:

To note the report.

The Committee considered a report (agenda item 8) providing the latest information on the delivery and performance of children’s services in line with the statutory expectations of the Director of Children’s Services. The report identified key challenges and risks for consideration, areas of progress, and upcoming activity.

Summary of main points raised/noted in discussion of this item:

1. It was noted that this week, the service was launching the development of an education vision for Bristol with a focus specifically on breaking the link between low achievement and children living in poverty.  All schools and trusts were working together to develop a single strategy which to support improvement across the city with a focus on targeted improvement, tackling racism in schools, and an area-based lens especially on attendance. The approach also aimed to build citywide support to make sure all children could access school resources, where leadership and teaching quality could flourish and services could work with schools to support vulnerable children and families.

2. It was noted that the Council was also focusing on high quality and appropriate support for maintained schools through a revised school improvement framework.

3. With reference to the 2025/26 budget approved by Full Council, the Chair highlighted the additional investment that would be seen across services for children and young people, including £1.9m allocated to hiring 35 full time equivalent support workers, helping families through local hubs.

4. It was noted that the February QuIP Board meeting had reviewed the current position in relation to Children Missing Education (CME) and Elective Home Education (EHE). The rate of CME had fluctuated,peaking significantly in the autumn term, largely due to increased rates of pupil mobility over thesummer months and had now reduced to a rate of 0.6%, which was in line with the England average. 5% of Bristol children missing education had been CME for over 12 months – this was being investigated and further detail around CME would be included in future reports.

5. In relation to primary school places and proposed Published Admission Number (PAN) reductions for 2026/2027, it was noted that the decrease in overall demand was forecasted to continue into the foreseeable future.  It was also noted that through the year ahead, the Council would be working in partnership with the city’s schools and trusts to publish an updated school organisation strategy which would widen the scope to address falling

demand.  The Chair stated that mindful of future fluctuations in demand that may take place, it was her view that in terms of school place planning, every effort should be made to keep all primary schools open across the city, wherever this was possible, to allow the flexibility to adjust to pupil demographic trends (noting that academy trusts would make their own decisions in this respect).

6. In response to a question, it was noted that under current legislation, a school that had become an academy could not revert to being governed under the local authority.

The Committee RESOLVED:

-  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

This report provides an update on performance against the Council’s Business Plan as relevant to the remit of this Committee, for Quarter 3 2024/25.

The Committee RESOLVED:

To note performance against the Business Plan relevant to this Committee, including the issues raised and measures to address performance issues to be implemented by relevant services.

The Committee considered a report (agenda item 9) updating on performance against the Council’s Business Plan as relevant to the remit of the committee for Quarter 3, 2024/25.

Summary of main points raised/noted in discussion of this item:

1. It was noted that for Quarter 3, the proportion of final Education, Health and Care plans (EHCPs) issued within the 20-week statutory timescale (target BPPM225e) had decreased since the last reporting period to 22.1% (target 50%) and was below the figure for this time last year by 25.2 percentage points. Multiple strands of work were being taken forward to improve this including restructuring the SEND team, developing a new practice framework and reviewing systems and processes to deliver a more timely and higher quality service.   It was noted that demand for EHCPs remained high following the Cabinet decision taken in February 2024 to remove non-statutory top-up funding; this had led to a consequent increase in schools requesting EHCPs.

2. It was noted that plans to deliver an Anti-Racism in Schools Strategy were on course and would form part of the wider education vision for Bristol to ensure this was embedded in the service’s wider work across the city.

The Committee RESOLVED:

To note performance against the Business Plan relevant to this Committee, including the issues raised and measures to address performance issues to be implemented by relevant services.

The annual report of the Bristol City Youth Council is enclosed for the Committee’s information.  Representatives of the Youth Council will present the report.

The Committee RESOLVED:

To note the report.

The Committee considered the Bristol City Youth Council annual report (agenda item 9) which was submitted for members’ information.

Representatives of the Youth Council were in attendance at the meeting and presented the report, highlighting the following points:

1. The Bristol City Youth Council was a group of 29 young people chosen to represent Bristol's youth. 18 were democratically elected through a Bristol Youth Election; 5 young people were elected through their equality groups to help diversify the voices contributing to the Youth Council, and 6 young people were elected through their areas from their engagement with local services or organisations.

2. The main aim of the Youth Council was to represent the voices of young people in

Bristol and campaign on their behalf.  The current citywide campaign was around knife crime and safety, as voted on by the city’s young people at their 2023 Youth Voice Conference. Within this campaign, the youth council had split its focus into 4 sub-groups covering knife crime; safer environments and communities; police and crime; prevention, education and welfare.

3.  Through the year, the Youth Council’s area youth forums had identified 4 recurring themes, which formed key discussion points at the Annual Youth Voice Conference held in November:

a. Communities: Issues around young people feeling like they belong or don’t belong in their community; parks and spaces for young people; also, the effects of factors such as fly-tipping and littering, and anti-social behaviour.

b. Youth Services: Issues around support for young people in school and outside of schools, including activities that are free or low cost, along with safe spaces, and more accessible youth spaces and activity sessions.

c. Safety: Issues relating to women’s safety, online safety, and areas where young people don’t feel safe; and the related issues of lighting and safe public transport.

d. Knife Crime:  Issues around witnessing other young people with knives, feeling unsafe, policing, and the effects of recent tragedies on young people.

Summary of main points raised/noted in discussion of this item:

1. In response to a question, it was noted that local councillors could attend area youth forums by invitation from the local forum.  Meeting date details could also be made available via local forums.

2. Members commented on and recognised the safety concerns around lighting. The issue of the lack of lighting specifically in Willmott Park, Hartcliffe was raised by Cllr Bailes, who indicated that the local women’s group would be interested in engaging with Youth Council representatives on this topic.  

3. In response to questions, it was noted that in relation to concerns around knife crime, youth violence and safety of young people, the police had engaged with Youth Council representatives, including a meeting attended by the Police and Crime Commissioner.  Youth Council representatives advised that one of their campaign groups was focused on developing the youth/police relationship.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the Chair, on behalf of the Committee, thanked Youth Council representatives for attending and presenting their report.

This report:

1. Provides up-to-date information about young people aged 14-21 in Bristol, including those who are at risk or have disengaged from education, employment and training.

2. Provides an overview of local authority youth focused statutory duties, strategies, plans, services, resources, and systems.

3. Considers the results of a collaborative analysis of current youth focused services, together with some identified areas to improve outcomes.

4. Seeks approval to hold detailed bid negotiations to secure grant funding from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority for 14-21 age group services to secure improved outcomes.

The Committee RESOLVED:

1. To note the content of this report and information pack, including the identified areas to improve services for support for vulnerable young people so Bristol teenagers and young people can thrive.

2. (Unanimous vote in favour) To authorise the Director of Education, Inclusion and Skills (working with the Head of Service - Employment, Skills and Lifelong Learning) in consultation with the Chair of the Children and Young People Committee to take all steps required to negotiate with WECA and to accept and spend employment support grant funding of up to £1,923,032 to deliver Risk of NEET, NEET Reduction and Youth Guarantee programmes as outlined in the report.

The Committee considered a report (agenda item 11):

a. providing up to date information about young people aged 14-21 in Bristol, including those who are at risk or have disengaged from education, employment and training.

b. providing an overview of local authority youth focused statutory duties, strategies, plans, services, resources, and systems.

c. setting out the results of a collaborative analysis of current youth focused services, together with some identified areas to improve the Council’s approach and related outcomes.

d. seeking approval to hold detailed bid negotiations to secure grant funding from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority for age 14-21 services to secure improved outcomes.

Summary of main points raised/noted in discussion of this item:

1. It was noted that this was a key decision report, ultimately involving spend over £500k.

2. It was noted that through this proposal, initial areas of focus that could strengthen the Council’s youth offer included:

a. Reviewing how local youth engagement and post-16 support is provided in Bristol and  developing a clear, joined-up offer that is shaped by young people, and well communicated and easy to access by young people, their parents and carers, key staff and partners.

b. Ensuring that a youth and post-16 strand is a central part of the locality early help and prevention model and as part of new family hub and ‘team around the school’ locality teams and partnerships that can develop targeted/specialist provision to meet local needs.

c. Working with the Combined Authority and the Council’s Economic Development team to establish more systematic and sustainable employer engagement so that young people have better access to inclusive experience of work, work placements, supported internships, inclusive recruitment processes and sustainable entry level jobs with in-work support for progression.

d. Working with the Combined Authority and neighbouring authorities on a youth strategy and funded programmes, including a NEET reduction business case and the new youth guarantee trailblazer initiative, including a potential youth employment pilot in South Bristol.

3. In response to a question, it was noted that further information could be provided on the green skills initiatives being taken forward by the Combined Authority.

4. A concern was raised by a member about the potential for employers placing over-reliance on the use of AI in recruitment, which could impact on the ability of some young people to find job opportunities.  It was acknowledged that there was a need to work with employers around ensuring more inclusive recruitment practices.  It was also important to engage with employers to encourage work experience opportunities and internships that provided meaningful experiences for young people.

5. It was commented that through this work, it would be particularly important to seek to raise aspirations among young people living in deprived areas of the city, for example in terms of accessing further and higher education opportunities.

The Chair then moved the report recommendations, noting that recommendation 1 was for noting only.

This was seconded by Cllr Hornchen.

The Committee RESOLVED:

1. To note the content of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

To provide an update on progress on managing the deficit within the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) High Needs Block as set out in the council’s DSG Financial Management Plan.

The Committee RESOLVED:

To note the current position of the Dedicated Schools Grant Financial Management Plan and projected financial forecast as at January 2025.

The Committee considered a report (agenda item 12) providing an update on progress in managing the deficit within the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) High Needs Block as set out in the council’s DSG Financial Management Plan.

Summary of main points raised/noted in discussion of this item:

1. It was noted that the current statutory override in relation to the DSG deficit was in place until 31 March 2026.  It was further noted that this may be subject to change as the wider Safety Valve programme was under review by the government.

2. In response to a question, it was clarified that the judicial review hearing in relation to the Council’s Safety Valve agreement had been concluded; the judgement arising from the review was expected in the near future.

The Committee RESOLVED:

To note the current position of the Dedicated Schools Grant Financial Management Plan and projected financial forecast as at January 2025.