An opportunity to question the Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Councillor Kaushika Amin, on developments within her portfolio.
Minutes:
The Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Councillor Kaushika Amin, outlined
key developments within the areas of her portfolio as follows:
· Local authorities had been disappointed at the lack of government support for the provision of free school meals during the Autumn half term. However, support had instead been provided locally by the Council and this had included provision for children from families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF). Following the campaign that there had been on this issue, the government had now pledged to provide support during the Christmas holidays. The detail of the arrangements for this was not yet known though;
· School attendance was in line the national average but lower than before the pandemic. Schools were isolating any pupils who became infected with Covid-19 and had worked closely with the Council to put necessary preventative measures in place. Risk assessments had been done and support provided by the Council’s Public Health service. Remote learning provided a means of enabling children to continue to receive education if they were unable to be in school and could provide a useful learning tool for the future. Some schools had been particularly effective in providing remote learning that was engaging, including Mulberry Primary School. However, access to the necessary IT equipment and broadband was not enjoyed by all. Schools were doing their best to assist in such circumstances;
· An increasing number of parents and carers were electing to home school their children. In a number of cases, this was due to health concerns. Some of those who were home schooled were vulnerable. The Council was looking at how home schooled children and young people could be best supported;
· Ofsted inspections had been temporarily suspended but interim ones would be taking place from the autumn onwards. Preparations were continuing to be made in case there was an inspection in Haringey;
· In respect of the social workers in schools scheme, there were now seven secondary schools that were included within the scheme.
In answer to a question regarding digital access, she stated that this was a big challenge. A range of actions were being taken. In particular, schools were providing support and had been able to lend laptops to some children. Funding had been made available from the Department for Education (DfE) for vulnerable children. In addition, some families had been referred to charities. A number of these were involved, including Children in Need. Schools were providing written materials as well so that families did not have to rely completely on IT for learning. It was noted that there were still gaps though and that the aspiration was for each child to have access to at least one device. Schools were endeavouring to help when children and young people were required to self-isolate. Eveleen Riordan, Assistant Director for Schools and Learning stated that work was being undertaken with schools to identify where there was specific need. Camden Council had begun a crowd funding campaign to fund IT equipment for school children and consideration was being given to launching a similar scheme in Haringey. Donated equipment was welcome although there were a lot of issues in respected of donated IT equipment and the provision of new devices was therefore being prioritised.
Panel Members emphasised the importance of access to IT equipment, which they felt was essential for all children from Year 5 upwards. They noted the initiatives that had been undertaken in some other London boroughs. It was felt that the government could not be relied upon to provide assistance and that a Council policy on this issue was required urgently. The Cabinet Member stated that she supported the development of a specific Council policy on digital access for pupils in schools and work could be undertaken with Haringey Education Partnership to develop one.
In answer to a question, the Cabinet Member reported that there had been a lot of work undertaken in response to the recent high court judgement regarding a disabled child. A review had been undertaken by Islington Council and the recommendations of this were being implemented. In addition, an independent review of the Disabled Children’s Team was continuing and an audit of court cases had nearly been completed. The outcomes of these would all be considered by Haringey Safeguarding Children’s Partnership. She welcomed the introduction of Covid winter grants, although the detail of these had not yet been made available. Action would be taken to ensure that they were received by families most in need.
Concern was expressed by Panel Members at the possibility of funding cuts to Children’s Centres. It was felt that they provided very important support to disadvantaged children and parents. The Cabinet Member stated that she understood the importance of Children’s Centres. There were challenges within the budget though and she wanted to look at how the Centres worked so that they could be better used. Their impact could be enhanced if more disadvantaged children and parents used them. Other boroughs included a range of additional services within their centres. The proposals would focus on improving the centres rather than cutting them.
In answer to a question, she commented that the fragmentation of education was a challenge as school provision in the borough was no longer under the overall control of the local authority. Although Haringey Education Partnership were working to hold schools within the borough together, this was not the same as having a proper structure.
In answer to a question regarding precautions to prevent transmission of Covid-19 in schools, she stated that a “bubble” approach was followed. In addition, social distancing measures were in force. Every school had undertaken a detailed risk assessment. Ms Riordan commented that contact between pupils was limited in order to minimise the number who would have to self-isolate should any became infected.
AGREED:
That it be recommended that a specific policy on digital access for pupils in schools be developed by the Council in partnership with Haringey Education Partnership.