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Current Scrutiny Reviews |
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Detail |
Proposed Completion Date |
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Use of digital and technology in Adult Social Care |
The Committee has accepted the recommendation of the Initial Scoping Board that the Committee proceed with a review of this area, focussed on exploring the cultural and behavioural changes needed to support greater use of online services, ‘self-service’ options and adoption of a ‘digital by default’ approach in ASC.
Membership of the Review Board: Councillors di Cara (Chair), Geary and Maples.
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December 2022 |
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ASC Equality and Inclusion
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The Committee has accepted the recommendation of the Initial Scoping Board that the Committee proceed with a review of this area, looking at how the Department engages with ‘seldom heard’ groups and whether residents of all backgrounds know how to access ASC services.
Membership of the Review Board: Councillors Geary, Ungar (Chair) and Webb.
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March 2023 |
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Use of Prevention in Children’s Services
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The Committee has accepted the recommendation of the Initial Scoping Board that the Committee proceed with a review of this area, focussed on examining work planned and underway to strengthen use of prevention in Children’s Services.
Membership of the Review Board: Councillors Adeniji, Field, Howell (Chair) and John Hayling, Parent Governor Representative.
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March 2023 |
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School Exclusions |
The previous Committee agreed in March 2020 to undertake a Scrutiny Review of issues relating to school exclusions. The Committee also agreed the Terms of Reference proposed by the Scoping Board. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on the availability of schools to contribute to further work on this review, it was subsequently paused with the intention to recommence it at a suitable future date.
Since the original review was scoped, the Department has commenced a project with ISOS consultancy to draw together aspects of good and emerging practice into a clear, whole-system, strategic approach to inclusion and the use of Alternative Provision for secondary-age pupils in East Sussex.
The Committee wishes to recommence this review and will hold a further short scoping meeting to consider the outcomes of the ISOS project and any adjustments required to the existing Terms of Reference before commencing the review.
Membership of the Review Board: Councillors Adeniji, Field, Maples and Nicola Boulter, Parent Governor Representative.
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To be confirmed when second scoping board undertaken in December 2022/ January 2023.
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Initial Scoping Reviews |
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Subject area for initial scoping |
Detail |
Proposed Dates |
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School Attendance |
The Committee heard at their 2021 work planning awayday that overall school absence and persistent absence rates across East Sussex are high, when compared to national and statistical neighbours; and that East Sussex has a significant number of children and young people deemed too ill to attend school due to anxiety and poor mental health, and increasing levels of Emotionally-Based School Avoidance.
A scoping board meeting was held on 10 March 2022 and the Board agreed that although the subject was appropriate for a Scrutiny Review, as so much of the current situation regarding school absence rates in East Sussex was related to the ongoing impact of, and disruption from, the coronavirus pandemic, it was too early for the Committee to undertake a scrutiny review of school attendance.
The Board therefore agreed that the review should commence in Spring 2023 when we expect to have a clearer sense of the long-term impact of COVID on school absences. A further short scoping board meeting will be held in early 2023 to build on issues discussed at the 2022 scoping board and draft Terms of Reference for this review.
Membership of the Scoping Board: Cllrs Adeniji, di Cara, Field and Howell (Chair) and Nicola Boulter, Parent Governor Representative.
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To be confirmed following a further short scoping board in early 2023. |
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Suggested Potential Future Scrutiny Review Topics |
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Suggested Topic |
Detail |
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Elective Home Education
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The Committee heard at their 2021 work planning awayday that issues relating to the increase in the numbers of children being electively home educated (EHE) remain a concern for the Children’s Services Department and expressed an interest in scrutinising the work the Department is doing in response. The Committee also heard about national developments expected to impact future policy and the approaches of local authorities in this area.
The Committee agreed at the November 2021 and March 2022 meetings to retain this as a potential area for review and an update on the Department’s work in this area and national developments impacting this work is scheduled for the November 2022 Committee to support consideration of how and whether to progress with a scrutiny review.
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Scrutiny Reference Groups |
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Reference Group Title |
Subject area |
Meeting Dates |
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Health and Social Care Integration Programme (HASCIP) Reference Group
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The Committee agreed to establish a Reference Group to monitor progress of the East Sussex Health and Social Care Integration Programme and identify areas for future scrutiny. It will review HASCI progress reports provided to the Health and Wellbeing Board and meet on an ad hoc basis as required to consider issues arising in more detail.
The group last met on 6 April 2022 and considered an update on the Better Care Fund, as well as a presentation on anticipated impacts of the Integration White Paper and progress with establishing an Integrated Care System (ICS) in Sussex. The group requested that the next meeting consider the next substantive phase of work on establishing the Sussex ICS and will meet later in November to consider and comment on key elements of the draft Sussex ICS Integrated Care Strategy ahead of it being considered by the Lead Member for Strategic Management and Economic Development. The group has also requested to consider progress with work at the locality level in East Sussex and a meeting to consider this is expected to take place in 2023 when this work is further progressed.
Membership of the group: Councillors Clark, di Cara, Geary (Chair), Ungar and Webb.
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Next meeting: Tuesday 22 November 2022
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Loneliness and Resilience Scrutiny Reference Group
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The Committee agreed to establish a Loneliness and Resilience Scrutiny Reference Group at its meeting in March 2021. The purpose of the group is to provide scrutiny input into a loneliness project being undertaken by the Adult Social Care and Health Department. The project will aim to develop practical solutions that will help address some of the key negative impacts of loneliness on local communities in East Sussex.
The Group had presentations on progress with the project in August and December 2021. The Group last met in March 2022 and considered and commented on the draft recommendations for the project. Officers and partners are now considering the final report and how to take forward its recommendations. A final meeting of the Reference Group will take place later in November to consider the final recommendations and next steps, as well as what and how the Group wish to report back to the Committee on this project.
Membership of the group: Councillors Clark, Geary, Maples, Howell, Ungar and Webb.
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Next meeting: Tuesday 29 November 2022 |
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Educational Attainment and Performance Scrutiny Reference Group |
The Committee agreed in June 2018 to establish a Reference Group to focus on reviewing data on educational attainment in East Sussex and related issues. The group meets on an annual basis.
The next meeting of the Group is anticipated to take place in late January/ early February 2023 when Department for Education ratified attainment data for the 2021/22 academic year is expected to be available.
Membership of the group: Councillors Adeniji, Field and Howell and Nicola Boulter, Parent Governor Representative.
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Next meeting: Late January/ Early February 2023 |
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Adult Social Care reforms Reference Group |
The Committee agreed at its 2022 work planning awayday to establish a reference group to consider the impact and implementation of the Adult Social Care reforms.
It has been agreed that the first meeting of the Group will take place after October, when the Fair Cost of Care exercise is complete, and will receive a report on the anticipated impact of the reforms on the Council’s finances, Care Act assessment volumes, staffing, other operational issues, and the local care market.
Membership of the group: Councillors di Cara, Geary and Ungar.
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First meeting: Post-October 2022 |
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Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR) Board
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RPPR Board meet annually to agree detailed comments and any recommendations on the emerging portfolio plans and spending and savings proposals to be put to Cabinet on behalf of the scrutiny committee.
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Next meeting: 16 December 2022 |
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Subject Area |
Detail |
Proposed Date |
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At its September 2022 meeting the Committee asked to receive a copy of the Market Sustainability Plan once it was finalised.
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When finalised – expected to be February 2023
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Title of Training/Briefing |
Detail |
Proposed Date |
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Author |
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16 December 2022
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Scrutiny Review - Use of digital and technology in Adult Social Care
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To consider the final report of the Review. |
Councillor Penny di Cara, Chair of the Review Board |
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16 March 2023
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Armed Forces Covenant
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At their September meeting the Committee asked for an update on ESCC’s work to deliver the Armed Forces Covenant, particularly on work required to achieve gold accreditation.
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Director of Children’s Services |
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Committee Work Programme |
To manage the Committee’s programme of work including matters relating to ongoing reviews, initial scoping boards, future scrutiny topics, reference groups, training and development matters and reports for information.
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Beth McGhee, Senior Policy and Scrutiny Adviser |
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Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR) |
To provide the Committee with an opportunity to review its input into the RPPR process for 2023/24 financial year.
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Becky Shaw, Chief Executive |
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17 July 2023
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Implementation of Schools White Paper Reforms
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The Committee requested at its July 2022 meeting an update in 12 months on progress with implementing reforms set out in the Schools White Paper. |
Assistant Director, Education |
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Committee Work Programme
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To manage the Committee’s programme of work including matters relating to ongoing reviews, initial scoping boards, future scrutiny topics, reference groups, training and development matters and reports for information.
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Beth McGhee, Senior Policy and Scrutiny Adviser |
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Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR)
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To commence the Committee’s involvement with the RPPR process for 2024/25 financial year by reviewing the information in the Quarter 4 (end of year) (2022/23) Council Monitoring report and the State of the County report.
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Becky Shaw, Chief Executive |
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25 September 2023
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Committee Work Programme
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To manage the Committee’s programme of work including matters relating to ongoing reviews, initial scoping boards, future scrutiny topics, reference groups, training and development matters and reports for information.
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Beth McGhee, Senior Policy and Scrutiny Adviser |
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Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR)
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To continue the Committee’s work on the RPPR process for 2024/25 financial year. |
Becky Shaw, Chief Executive |
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Safeguarding Adults Board - Annual Report
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The Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) Annual Report outlines the safeguarding activity and performance in East Sussex during the previous financial year, as well as some of the main developments in place to prevent abuse from occurring.
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Chair, Safeguarding Adults Board |
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Annual Review of Safer Communities |
To update the Committee on performance in relation to Safer Communities in 2022/23 and the priorities and issues for 2023/24 that will be highlighted in the Partnership Business Plan. |
Assistant Director - Planning, Performance and Engagement
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East Sussex Safeguarding Children Partnership (ESSCP) Annual Report |
Presentation of the annual report of the East Sussex Safeguarding Children Partnership.
This report will include a progress update on the work of multi-agency exploitation coordinators as requested at the March 2022 Committee. |
Independent Chair, East Sussex Safeguarding Children Partnership
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29 November 2023
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Committee Work Programme
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To manage the Committee’s programme of work including matters relating to ongoing reviews, initial scoping boards, future scrutiny topics, reference groups, training and development matters and reports for information.
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Beth McGhee, Senior Policy and Scrutiny Adviser |
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Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR) |
To continue the Committee’s work on the RPPR process for 2024/25 financial year. |
Becky Shaw, Chief Executive
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