There was submitted a report by the Director of Children’s Services relative to the Service Improvement Plan 2016/17 for Children’s Services. The report detailed key achievements over the period 1 April to 30 September 2016; provided an update on the delivery of the Service Improvement Plan action plan as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report; and assessed service performance in the scorecard of core performance indicators as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report.

DECIDED:

(a) That the progress made on service performance be noted;

(b) That the progress made on actions and performance in the action plan be noted; and

(c) That it be noted that an out-turn report would be provided to this Policy Board in spring 2017.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Children’s Services relative to the May 2016 early years strategy impact evaluation report which was the third in a series of formative self-evaluations of the impact of Renfrewshire’s “Families First” Early Years strategy. The evaluation commenced in December 2015 and was completed in April 2016.

The early years implementation plan had produced 57 actions and these were detailed in the appendix section of the evaluation report. Telephone interviews were conducted with the lead officers responsible for the 57 actions and this helped to inform the impact which the strategy was having on parenting skills and wellbeing; attachment and child wellbeing; and professional skills, structures and services.

The Convener welcomed Clare Dooris and Karen Robertson, both Families First, to the meeting who gave a presentation on the evaluation of the work of the Families First teams which were based in Ferguslie, Linwood, Gallowhill, Johnstone and Foxbar.

DECIDED: That the contents and conclusions on the May 2016 Impact Evaluation Report and the presentation be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Children’s Services relative to the Scottish Government consultation on statutory guidance for Part 1 of the Education (Scotland) Act 2016 which covered those provisions which made amendments to various sections of the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act 2000.

The report intimated that the draft statutory guidance had been developed to support those who had responsibility for various duties in relation to: reducing inequalities of outcomes for pupils experiencing them as a result of socio-economic disadvantage; the National Improvement Framework (NIF); and planning and reporting duties at school and education authority levels. The proposed response to the consultation was appended to the report.

DECIDED: That the response to the consultation on Draft Statutory Guidance: Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act 2000, appended to the report, be approved.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Children’s Services relative to the further inspection by Education Scotland of Clippens School, Linwood undertaken in January 2016 as part of its continuing engagement with the school.

A copy of the letter to parents, published by Education Scotland on 4 October 2016 was appended to the report. The inspection report intimated that there had been no significant improvements in the school since the last inspection in May 2015. A review of the school had been undertaken by Children’s Services in June 2016 to further support the school in its improvement. An action plan had been developed as a result of the focused review and this was being implemented in the school with the support and regular monitoring from Children’s Services officers.

Councillor Henry, seconded by Councillor M Macmillan, moved (a) that the Education Scotland further inspection report on Clippens School be noted and (b) that a further report be submitted to this Board prior to August 2017.

Councillor Cameron, seconded by Councillor Lawson, moved as an amendment (a) that the Education Scotland further inspection report on Clippens School be noted and (b) that a further report be submitted to either this Board or full Council in three months.

On the roll being called, the following members voted for the amendment: Councillors Cameron, Andy Doig, Lawson, McQuade, Mylet and Perrie.

The following members voted for the motion: Councillors B Brown, Glen, Henry, M Macmillan, I McMillan, Murrin, J Sharkey, M Sharkey and Williams and I Keith.

The following member abstained: J Nellaney.

6 members having voted for the amendment, 10 members having voted for the motion and 1 member having abstained, the motion was accordingly declared carried.

DECIDED:

(a) That the Education Scotland further inspection report on Clippens School be noted; and

(b) That a further report be submitted to this Board prior to August 2017.