Witnesses:
Garath Symonds, Assistant
Director for Commissioning and Prevention
Linda Kemeny,
Cabinet Member for Schools, Skills and Educational
Achievement
Mary Lewis, Cabinet Associate for Children, Schools and
Families
Clare Curran, Cabinet Member for
Children and
Families Wellbeing
Declarations of interests:
None
Key
points of discussion:
-
Officers offered Members an outline of the Children,
Schools and Families (CSF) Commissioning Plan. It was highlighted
that income for the service had been reduced and that overall unit
costs were increasing for resources. The service, in response to
these challenges was developing a Commissioning Plan to respond to
these pressures and more efficiently target resources to fit need.
It was stressed by officers that this plan was in draft form as of
March 2017.
-
Members questioned the sustainability of the CSF
Commissioning Plan and whether the planned savings were enough to
maintain the service. Officers stressed that the financial
situation was a complex one, but officers and the
Cabinet Member for Schools, Skills and Educational
Achievement assured Members that savings were
being made within the service and that significant savings
prospects had been identified, but that the service was working to
identify further opportunities.
-
It was noted after questioning by the Board that the
service was working to present savings data more coherently in
future to ensure transparency.
-
Officers highlighted that market management was a
key aspect of the CSF Commissioning Plan and that the service was
looking closely at working in partnership with providers to reduce
costs. Members highlighted concerns regarding possible loss of
quality of service, however officers stressed that the service was
looking into working closely with providers to provide a quality
service at a reasonable cost. It was explained that some providers
had expressed the wish to work more closely in this way to help
deliver key services.
-
It was highlighted by officers that a workstream was
underway with regard to demand management, particularly
highlighting the Early Help “cusp of care” programme as
an example of work undertaken in this area.
-
Members queried the potential danger of poorer
outcomes for children as a result of the redistribution of
resources. It was stressed by Members that the service needed to
consider the outcomes for children as a primary concern. Officers
highlighted that this was a key aspect of the CSF Commissioning
Plan. It was also noted that the service had a key role in a
child’s wellbeing, in conjunction with parents and
communities.
-
It was noted that the service was developing a
“Family Hub” model, recommended by the Children’s
Commissioner for England, of integration of services for children
and families. It was highlighted that this scheme would work to
reduce costs, through a net reduction in assets, but provide better
outcomes for children through an improved and integrated
service.
-
The Cabinet Member for
Children and
Families Wellbeing noted that the service could use the opportunity
presented by the CSF Commissioning Plan to look into developing
stronger ties with the Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector and
provide a more integrated an effective service.
Recommendations:
The Board welcomes the report
and additional information provided in reference to the
Commissioning Plan. It recommends:
-
That officers draw up an appropriate plan for
engagement on each aspect of the commissioning plan, and related
changes to services, for the relevant scrutiny board in the new
council.