Agenda and minutes

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The Chair referred Members present to agenda item 1 as shown on the agenda in respect of filming at the meeting.  Members noted the information contained therein.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mallett and Uzma Naseer (parent governor representative).

The Chair will consider the admission of any late items of urgent business (late items will be considered under the agenda item where they appear. New items will be dealt with as noted below).

None.

A member with a disclosable pecuniary interest or a prejudicial interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered:

(i) must disclose the interest at the start of the meeting or when the interest becomes apparent, and

(ii) may not participate in any discussion or vote on the matter and must withdraw from the meeting room.

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Ms Denny reported that she was Vice Chair of the Bridge Renewal Trust, whose premises were located in the same building as that proposed for the use by Haringey Youth Zone (see agenda item 9).

To consider any requests received in accordance with Part 4, Section B, Paragraph 29 of the Council’s Constitution.

None.

To approve the minutes of the meeting of 23 January 2017 (attached).

AGREED:

That the minutes of the meeting of 23 January 2017 be approved.

To receive an update on the CAMHS Transformation Plan.

Catherine Swaile, the Vulnerable Children and Young People’s Joint Commissioning Manager, reported on progress with the transformation of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) within the borough.  She reported that the Transformation Plan had recently been updated to take into account work that had been completed since the original plan had been approved.

She stated that CAMHS incorporated a wide range of emotional well being services.  These included the new Choices service, work with the Council’s Early Help services and psychological support for parents.  The main service base was at Burgoyne Road.  Although there was on outreach team based on the St. Ann’s site, there was no in patient CAMHS provision there.  There was also a pilot GP service within the borough as well as counselling and psychotherapy that was delivered by Open Door in Crouch End and Tottenham.  There was emergency provision at the North Middlesex and Whittington Hospitals, although this was not available at weekends.  In patient services were provided by the Beacons in Edgware as well as Simmons House in Muswell Hill.  Schools also provided some support themselves.

CAMHS generally dealt with young people up to the age of 18.  However, some services could work with older children if necessary, for example Open Door and the Tavistock and Portman Trust. Consideration was being given to varying the contract with Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust so that there was greater flexibility in order to assist with the transition by young people from CAMHS to adult mental health services. 

In answer to a question regarding waiting times from referral to assessment, Ms Swaile reported that 46% of children and young people waited between 0 and 4 weeks, 39% waited between 4 and 8 weeks and 9% waited between 8 and 13 weeks.  2% waited more than 26 weeks.  The waiting time for the Choices service was a maximum of 28 days.  However, there was a national drive to focus more strongly on the second appointment as this was generally when treatment commenced.  The average figure for this in Haringey was 71 days.  Average waiting time nationally was currently 11 weeks.  It was acknowledged that this was quite long, especially in terms of the life of a child.

In answer to a question regarding provision for black and minority ethnic (BAME) children and young people, Ms Swaile stated that she was not aware of any evidence that they were following different routes.  CAMHS worked closely with the Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) and, in addition, had identified the fact that provision in the Youth Offending Service was currently insufficient.   In response to this, additional staffing had been allocated to it.  She felt that interventions needed to taka place at an early stage in order to reduce the risk of children and young people entering the youth justice system.   Schools also had a responsibility to provide support. 

Ms Swaile reported that provision for BAME communities had been benchmarked against census data in 2015.  It was found that there was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

To report on the further development of post 16 provision within the borough, including 6th form provision and the vocational offer, and progress with the implementation of the recommendations of the Scrutiny Review on Youth Transition

David Grant, School Improvement Adviser in the Children and Young People’s Service, reported on progress with the implementation of the recommendations of the Panel’s review on youth transition and the development of post 16 provision within the borough.

He reported that the Academy of Excellence in Tottenham was aiming to accept 175 admissions this year and 700 overall in the coming years and would be occupying the previous Tottenham UTC building.  Haringey 6^th Form College was enjoying improved academic results.  It provided a range of courses, including GCSE re-sits and vocational options. 

The Panel noted that the percentage of young people who went to university in 2016 in the Hornsey constituency was now 43%.  It was 29% in the Tottenham constituency but this was 50% higher than it had been 10 years ago.  There were no existing school 6^th forms in Tottenham but this was now changing with the new Harris Academy.  The largest provider in Tottenham was the Haringey 6^th Form College.  ADA, the National Digital Skills College had opened in September 2016 and, in addition, the London Academy of Excellence would open in September 2017. 55% of young people went outside the borough for their 6^th form education but they tended to perform less well than those who remained in-borough.  The out of borough provision that young people accessed was mainly determined by their reputation, peer groups and transport links. 

Mr Grant reported that there was unfilled capacity at the Haringey 6^th Form College.  There were currently 800 young people on roll but a further 400 could be accommodated. A lot of work had been undertaken by the new Principal to develop good links with schools.  The destinations of students and “added value” statistics were both good and standards were improving. However, there was an unwarranted negative perception of the Centre that was proving difficult to overcome. 

A Panel Member expressed concern in respect of behavioural issues in respect of students that had previously been encountered at the College.  Mr Abbey reported that 4 years ago the College had been rated as “requires improvement” by Ofsted.  In the last two years, improvements had taken place and it was now rated as “good”.  Despite the progress made, changing perceptions was challenging.  However, there was now a wider range of choices for post 16 in Tottenham than in previous years.  He agreed to bring the issues that had been raised in respect of Haringey 6^th Form College to the attention of the College’s trustees.

In answer to a question, Mr Grant reported that there was a wide range of provision available for children with special educational needs and disabilities, although facilities varied between colleges.  With a suitable health and education plan and support, it was possible for young people to study at all levels.

Vicky Clark, Assistant Director of Development and Growth, reported that the demographics of those who attended the recent careers fair at Alexandra Palace had not been specifically monitored as this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

To receive an update on the development of Haringey Youth Zone.

Councillor Eugene Aysisi, the Cabinet Member for Communities, reported on proposals to develop a Haringey Youth Zone.  A limited budget of £250,000 was currently available for youth services in the borough and this was an opportunity to bring in additional funding to further develop universal youth provision.  OnSide, the Council’s proposed partner in this development, was a charity that worked across the country. The partnership would bring in £3 million of capital funding as well as an annual £750,000 in revenue funding for three years.  There was no final agreement as yet on the site for a new facility.  OnSide had committed to keep the Bruce Grove Youth Centre open as a delivery site   A local charitable organisation would be established to operate the new facility once it had been built, with a partnership between Haringey and Onside taking the proposal to forward.  A working group would be established to support work on the detail. 

Youth offer provision in the borough was currently limited and focussed on Bruce Grove Youth Space. The key to the success of the proposed development would be engaging and working with those within the local community who were best placed to advise on how to ensure that the new development and offer were attractive and sustainable.  It was acknowledged that some young people were reticent to move around the borough but the majority were not and the facilities and the offer would encourage them to attend the new provision irrespective of location.  In addition, the proposal provided an additional £750,000 revenue for youth services across the borough.

In answer to a question, Gill Gibson, the Assistant Director for Early Help and Prevention, reported that five youth zones facilities had been established for more than three years. There was currently no facility in London although several were currently under development.  OnSide had been established in 2008 in Bolton and aimed to be open 7 days a week and all year round.  The charity had brought together the private sector as well as youth service professionals.  Cllr Ayisi reported that other authorities had provided £400,000 but OnSide had accepted a lower amount from Haringey. OnSide were committed to working with the borough to develop provision.  Young people would be fully engaged in the design and development process. 

The Panel noted that the programme would be established jointly with young people and focus on a range of activities, including enterprise, music and sport.  It would provide a safe place for young people to meet and find someone to talk to.  There was also a commitment to establish youth outreach in the 9 months leading up to the new facility opening.  OnSide were aware of post code issues and had encountered similar issues in North Manchester and Wolverhampton.  There would be specific provision for girls and LGBT young people.  A specific charitable trust would be created to run services in Haringey. The key to ensuring that diversity was considered would be to ensure appropriate representation from the local community  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

To agree the draft final report of the Scrutiny Review on Child Friendly Haringey.

Councillor Weston reported that she welcome the Panel’s report and was pleased that the Panel had focussed on this issue.  She would respond in due course but hoped that it would be possible to agree most, if not all, of the Panel’s recommendations.

AGREED:

That the report and its recommendations be agreed and submitted on behalf of the Panel to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for approval.

AGREED:

The consideration be given to the inclusion of a review on the issue of care leavers within the future work plan for the Panel.

It being the last meeting of the Panel for the current Municipal Year, the Chair was thanked by the Panel for her work as Chair.  The Chair thanked Members and officers for their kind assistance and co-operation.