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Current Scrutiny Reviews |
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Detail |
Proposed Completion Date |
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Healthy Ageing |
The Committee heard at its March 2024 meeting that a key priority for ASCH was responding to the needs of an increasing older population in East Sussex, including those with complex needs, and that the Department would welcome scrutiny input into how preventative approaches could support people to age well in the county.
A scoping board was held on 3 May 2024 and the Board agreed that although there was significant work underway, there were areas that would benefit from scrutiny input. The Board agreed that the Review would focus on how to encourage people in mid life and older age to take preventative actions to age well; changing attitudes to and reducing stigma around ageing; and exploring how the Department can maximise the benefits on an older population.
Review meetings are planned for May – August and a final report for Committee in September 2024.
Membership of the Scoping Board: Cllrs di Cara and Ungar. Membership of the Review Board: Cllrs Geary, Pragnell, Ungar and Webb. |
September 2025 |
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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.
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 it was not yet clear what was having an impact. It was agreed that the Board would meet again in July 2024 to look at the latest data and see what progress was being made and any current areas of concern. This meeting will scope a focussed review to begin in September 2024 and report to the March 2025 Committee.
Membership of the Scoping Board: Cllrs Field and Howell and Nicola Boulter and John Hayling (Chair) Parent Governor Representatives. |
March 2025
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Initial Scoping Reviews |
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Subject area for initial scoping |
Detail |
Proposed Dates |
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Suggested Potential Future Scrutiny Review Topics |
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Suggested Topic |
Detail |
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Elective Home Education |
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 received additional updates on the local situation, as well as national updates, at their November 2022 and November 2023 meetings, including information at the November 2023 meeting on a DfE Consultation that has opened on revised home education guidance for Local Authorities to provide more clarity about ‘suitable education’ and support to be provided for home educators. In the absence of legislation for a statutory register, the guidance proposes Local Authorities set up a voluntary registration scheme for parents who home educate.
The Committee agreed at the November 2023 meeting to retain this as a potential area for review but will await further information from the DfE consultation. |
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Reference Group Title |
Subject area |
Meeting Dates |
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Prevention in Children’s Services
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The Committee agreed in March 2023 to convert a planned scrutiny review on prevention in Children’s Services into a Reference Group in order to provide regular and timely input into key projects and programmes which are under development and progressing at pace. The group is considering work to develop preventative approaches including Family Hubs and the Family Safeguarding model, providing ongoing scrutiny challenge. This Reference Group last met on 23 February 2024 and received an update on the work and progress of Connected Families and Family Hubs. The next meeting is planned for June 2024 and will explore the Youth Services and exploitation related activities, including Collaboration Against Child Exploitation (CACE).
Membership of the Reference Group: Councillors Cross and Howell, and John Hayling, Parent Governor Representative (Chair). |
Next meeting: 17 June 2024 |
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CQC Preparation Reference Group |
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 an upcoming Peer Review. The Group discussed and commented on the ASCH self-assessment framework.
The Group heard that the Peer Review will include discussions with the People Committee; a Committee briefing on this will be arranged for early February.
The next meeting is planned for June 2024 and will consider the LGA Peer Challenge report and the Department’s action plan.
Membership of the Reference Group: Councillors Geary, Howell, Ungar and Webb. |
17 June 2024 |
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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 HASCIP 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 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, and next steps for the SDP.
The Group welcomed the update and agreed to further support the Department as the SDP progressed.
The next meeting is planned for June 2024 and will consider the Shared Delivery Plan year 2 refresh.
Membership of the group: Councillors Clark, Geary (Chair), Ungar and Webb. |
Next meeting: 24 June 2024
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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 Group met on 27 March 2024 to consider attainment results for the 2022/23 academic year. Members discussed the impact of Covid on attainment for all key stages, the role of Multi Academy Trusts in providing local support to communities, and the impact of short term government funding. The committee agreed the Department was working to support schools through a range of challenges.
Membership of the group: Councillors Field (Chair) and Howell and Nicola Boulter, Parent Governor Representative. |
Next meeting: March 2025 |
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The Committee agreed at its 2022 work planning awayday to establish a Reference Group to consider the impact and implementation of the national Adult Social Care reforms. Implementation of the reforms was subsequently delayed in the 2022 Autumn Statement from October 2023 to October 2025 and the first meeting of the Group will take place closer to implementation.
Membership of the group: Councillors Geary and Ungar. |
First meeting: closer to implementation of the reforms in Oct 2025 |
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Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR) Board
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RPPR Board meets 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. |
Next meeting: December 2024 |
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Subject Area |
Detail |
Proposed Date |
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A report on the new Youth Employability Service contract, which commenced in October 2023, and its impact on young people, including vulnerable groups.
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June 2024 |
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SEND support |
A report on the school-run projects to improve inclusive practice in mainstream schools and improve outcomes for children with SEND and the national SEND and AP Change Programme. |
Oct/Nov 2024 |
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Title of Training/Briefing |
Detail |
Proposed Date |
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People Committee awayday |
To review the Committee work programme and discuss any key issues in further detail.
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16 September 2024 |
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Author |
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15 July 2024
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Equality and Inclusion in Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Review |
6 month monitoring report on progress with the Review’s recommendations. |
Director of Adult Social Care and Health |
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Use of Digital and Technology in Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Review |
12 month monitoring report on progress with the Review’s recommendations. |
Director of Adult Social Care and Health |
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Children’s Services work with IMPOWER |
The Committee agreed at its 2023 awayday to request an update on the Department’s work with consultants IMPOWER to review and develop cost effective and outcome focused children’s care arrangements, including the long term use of foster carers in the county. This update will also address current issues with private care provision and work underway to manage this. |
Director of Children’s Services |
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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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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) (2023/24) Council Monitoring report and the State of the County report. |
Chief Executive |
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24 September 2024
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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. |
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. |
Chief Executive |
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Healthy Ageing Scrutiny Review |
Review into Healthy Ageing to be presented to Committee |
Councillor Ungar, Chair of the Review Board |
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School Exclusions Scrutiny Review |
6 month monitoring report on progress with the Review’s recommendations. |
Director of Children’s Services |
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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 2023/24 and the priorities and issues for 2024/25 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.
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Independent Chair, East Sussex Safeguarding Children Partnership |
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19 November 2024
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Loneliness Stewardship Group
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The Committee agreed at its March 2024 meeting to request a further update on the Loneliness Stewardship Group. |
Director of Adult Social Care and Health |
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ASC Peer Review and CQC preparations |
To provide the Committee with an update on progress against the action plan following recommendations from the LGA Peer Review of ASC in preparation for a CQC assessment. |
Director of Adult Social Care and Health |
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Transition in services |
To provide the Committee with clarification on the process of transitioning between Children’s Services and ASCH. |
Director of Children’s Services and Director of Adult Social Care and Health |
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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. |
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. |
Chief Executive
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13 March 2025
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Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) Annual Report |
To update the Committee on the work of SACRE. |
Roy Galley, Chairman of SACRE / Director of Children’s Services |
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School Exclusions Scrutiny Review |
12 month monitoring report on progress with the Review’s recommendations. |
Director of Children’s Services |
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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. |
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. |
Chief Executive
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