Report to:	People Scrutiny Committee
Date of meeting:	11 March 2024
By:	Assistant Chief Executive
Title:	People Scrutiny Committee Work Programme
Purpose:	To review and discuss the People Scrutiny Committee’s future work programme

RECOMMENDATIONS: The Committee is recommended to:

1) review and agree the latest work programme set out at Appendix 1;

2) agree the new membership of the Prevention in Children’s Services Reference Group; and

3) review upcoming items on East Sussex County Council’s Forward Plan as set out at Appendix 2 to identify any issues that may require more detailed scrutiny.

1 Background

1.1 The work programme is an important tool in ensuring the correct focus and best use of the Committee’s time in scrutinising topics that are of importance to the residents of East Sussex, and the efficient and effective working of the Council. It also provides clarity for those who may be requested to give evidence to the Committee on the issues under review, and the questions the Committee requires answers to.

1.2 Discussion of the work programme provides the Committee with the opportunity to consider topics that it may be of value to scrutinise, and to decide whether further scoping work is required. This provides a basis for deciding the best way of scrutinising a topic, the timescale, and who from the Committee will be involved in carrying out the review work. If there are a number of potential topics for review, Members can determine the priority of the work within the resources available to the Committee.

2 Supporting information

Work programme

2.1 The Committee’s latest work programme is attached at Appendix 1, incorporating a number of updates including those outlined below. The Committee is asked to consider, discuss and agree the work programme, subject to any further changes required.

Scrutiny Reviews

School Attendance

2.2 The Committee heard in 2021 that overall school absence and persistent absence rates across East Sussex were high, when compared to national levels and statistical neighbours and agreed to conduct a scrutiny review. At the initial scoping board, it was agreed to postpone the review due to the ongoing impact of, and disruption from, the coronavirus pandemic.

2.3 A further scoping board meeting was held in December 2023 where the Board heard that several pieces of work to address attendance had launched in September 2023 and the impact of these was not yet clear. It was agreed that the Board would meet again in July 2024 to look at the latest data and establish what progress was being made, as well as any current areas of concern. If any areas of concern were identified, it was agreed that these would be progressed with a scrutiny review which would commence in the autumn of 2024.

Reference Groups

Prevention in Children’s Services

2.4 The Committee agreed to form a Reference Group to provide regular and timely input into key projects and programmes relating to prevention in Children’s Services. The Group held its first meeting in June 2023 and heard from the Department about its work on Family Safeguarding and Family Hubs, both of which focus on whole family support and early intervention to prevent the need for more serious intervention later.

2.5 The Group last met on 23 February 2024 and received updates on the Family Safeguarding Model, Connected Families, and Family Hubs, including outcomes to date. The Group welcomed the updates and noted the positive impacts of the programmes. It was agreed that the Group would next meet in summer 2024 to explore the role of education in prevention.

2.6 Councillor Cross has expressed an interest in joining this Reference Group and Councillor Field is no longer able to participate. The Committee is asked to agree these changes to the membership of the group.

CQC Assessment Framework

2.7 The Committee agreed at its 2023 awayday to establish a Reference Group to support Adult Social Care and Health (ASCH) with the upcoming CQC inspection and LGA Peer Review.

2.8 The Reference Group met on 13 December 2023 and received a presentation from the Department detailing the CQC assessment process (including scrutiny involvement), as well as work underway to prepare for this, including participating in a Peer Review. The Group discussed and commented on the ASCH self-assessment framework.

2.9 The Peer Review took place in February 2024 and the Reference Group will next meet to discuss its findings when a report is available. Members of the Committee were invited to meet the Peer Review team during their visit.

Health and Social Care Integration Programme (HASCIP)

2.10 The Group last met on 8 February 2024 to consider a progress update on the Joint Sussex Integrated Care Strategy Shared Delivery Plan (SDP) and Integrated Community Teams (ICT). The update outlined the progress in delivering collective SDP milestones for 2023/45, including the development of ICT footprints and intelligence profiles, as well as next steps for the SDP.

2.11 The Group welcomed the update and agreed to further support the Department as the SDP progressed.

Briefings

ASCH briefing on Suicide Prevention

2.12 At its 2023 awayday, the Committee heard about the ongoing priority for ASCH on suicide prevention and requested further details on this programme of work through a briefing.

2.13 The Committee received a briefing on 4 January which outlined the national and local context around suicide, and the Department’s work and planned work on suicide prevention in East Sussex.

Training

2.14 A ‘bite size’ training session has been arranged for 22 April to provide Members with a greater understanding of the role and remit of Healthwatch, in particular how it relates to the work of Adult Social Care.

2.15 As part of ongoing development, Members are invited to consider any other topics of interest for training to support their role on the Committee.

Forward Plan

2.16 A copy of the Council’s Forward Plan of executive decisions for the period 1 March to 30 June 2024 is included at Appendix 2. The Committee is requested to review the forthcoming items on the Forward Plan to identify any issues within the remit of this Committee that may require more detailed scrutiny. The Forward Plan is revised and published on a monthly basis and Committee members should regularly review the Forward Plan.

3. Conclusion and reasons for recommendations

3.1 An important part of managing the work of the People Scrutiny Committee is regularly reviewing its future work programme. This involves the Committee assessing its priorities, ensuring its ongoing reviews are completed in a timely fashion and identifying new areas for scrutiny.

PHILIP BAKER
Assistant Chief Executive

Contact Officer: Rachel Sweeney, Senior Policy and Scrutiny Adviser

Tel. No. 07561267461

Email: rachel.sweeney@eastsussex.gov.uk