Contact: Felicity Roe, [email protected] or Alison Alexander, 01962-846426 [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 During 2007, Children's Services across Hampshire will be inspected and assessed through a Joint Area Review (JAR) and an Annual Performance Assessment (APA). Both inspections evaluate and report on the outcomes for children and young people in the county and assess the contributions made by public services, including the Council, to sustain and improve them. The JAR is an inter-agency process including the Council. The APA focuses on the local authority and the Council is required to undertake a self-evaluation and grade its performance.

1.2 The Children and Young People's Plan Evaluation 2007 which is attached (Appendix 1), reports on progress towards the priorities in the plan during its first year, the impact of activities, particularly on the vulnerable groups identified, and how the Council has managed its services to improve the outcomes achieved by children and young people. This evaluation is the main evidence used by the APA Inspectors. The proposed self-evaluation grades for our APA are based on the self-evaluation evidence.

1 Recommendations

a) That Cabinet endorses the evaluation report and notes the work of the Children and Young People's Partnership in the delivery of services.

b) That Cabinet endorses the self evaluation grades proposed by the Children's Service Department for the 2007 Annual Performance Assessment.

2 Key headlines

2.1 The Joint Area Review and Annual Performance Assessment are both complex processes. They use the same information to assess the services but they provide different overall grades. It is fair to say that changing methodologies have added to the pressures these processes present.

2.2 The Joint Area Review is an inspection of all the services provided to children and young people. This includes services provided through the Primary Care Trust, the voluntary sector, schools, colleges and work based training providers, the Local Learning & Skills Council, South Central Connexions, Wessex Youth Offending Service, the Police and so on. The local authority has a statutory lead responsibility for co-ordinating all children's services.

2.3 The Joint Area Review assesses the performance of the authority and its partners in five main areas, see below, and the inspectors will grade those areas. Grade 1 is inadequate; Grade 2 is adequate; Grade 3 is good and Grade 4 is excellent.

· How well do we help children and young people in our care to make as much of their lives as everyone else?

· How well do children and young people with learning difficulties and disabilities thrive?

· How well do we make sure that children are safe from harm, neglect, bullying and abuse?

· How well do we manage our services to improve the lives of children and young people?

· Do we have the people, the ideas and the systems to improve in the future?

2.4 The Joint Area Review inspectors will also be reviewing and identifying our strengths and weakness in a further three areas.

· Do we provide all children and young people with the same access to health care services and if not what are we doing to change it?

· Are we delivering a diverse range of educational opportunities for our young people 14 - 19, covering academic and applied options?

· Do we know who our young carers are, what their needs are and how we are meeting them?

2.5 The Annual Performance Assessment will assess and grade the Council's services against the five core outcomes - being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, making a positive contribution and economic well-being - and its capacity to improve, see tables 1 and 2.

2.6 Our evaluation of the Children and Young People's Plan serves three purposes. It evaluates progress towards meeting the objectives set out in the plan; it goes into particular detail in terms of the vulnerable groups and the other areas of focus of the Joint Area Review; and it is our self assessment of the performance of children and young people against the five outcomes so as to contribute to the Annual Performance Assessment.

2.7 The Children's Services Department management team has scrutinised the evidence, considered the grade awarded in 2006, (in brackets in tables 1 and 2), and proposed the grades for this year's Annual Performance Assessment, see table 1 and 2.

2.8 Table 1 areas of judgement

Areas for judgement	Being healthy	Staying safe	Enjoying and achieving	Making a positive contribution	Achieving economic well-being
The contribution of the council's services in maintaining and improving outcomes	4 - 2007 (4)	3 - 2007 (3)	4 - 2007 (4)	4 - 2007 (4)	4 - 2007 (3)

Table 2: overall grades

The council's children's services	Grade
The contribution of the council's children's services in maintaining and improving outcomes for children and young people.	3 - 2007 (3)
Capacity to improve	Grade
The council's capacity to improve its services for children and young people	4 - 2007 (4)

4 Evidence

4.1 Cabinet have received, under separate cover, the full self evaluation of the Children and Young People's Plan.

4.2 Paragraphs 4.3 to 4.10 (below) provide some short summary extracts from the full self evaluation. Page numbers and paragraph numbers are given in some instances to cross reference into the detailed document.

4.3 The analysis for the self evaluation compares our performance against that of our statistical neighbours (see below) and England averages using a specified (JAR) dataset. The dataset is validated and published by the Health Commission, Social Care, OfSTED, CSCI, Youth Justice, Adult Learning inspectorate, HMI Probation and Department for Education and Skills. The dataset is published annually, with much of the social care data not ready nationally until the end of May each year. The timing of our JAR self evaluation and inspection means that the published dataset is using May 2006 social care data and the most recent (2006) school test and exam results. Where we have had more recent data available through our own monitoring systems, we have referenced it in our self assessment.

4.4 Our statistical neighbour authorities are, for Education data:

Gloucestershire

Suffolk

Cambridgeshire

Dorset

Oxfordshire

Devon

Bedfordshire

Kent

North Yorkshire

West Sussex

and for Social Care data:

Essex

Oxfordshire

Worcestershire

Bedfordshire

Warwickshire

Cambridgeshire

Cheshire

Leicestershire

Gloucestershire

Hertfordshire

Staffordshire

Kent

Northamptonshire

Buckinghamshire

Wiltshire

4.5 Vulnerable Groups

The impact analysis for the Children and Young People Plan identified the following groups as particularly vulnerable. Within the Children and Young People Plan itself, and the self evaluation, the outcomes for each group are individually assessed. Page and references refer to the relevant papers within the full self evaluation documents.

Children in our care	pages 11-21
Black and minority ethnic and traveller children and young people	pages 22-25
Children and young people in relative deprivation	pages 26-29
Children and young people with special educational needs and with disabilities	pages 30-40
Young parents	pages 41-43
Young carers	pages 44-48

4.6 Being Healthy (pages 48-57 of the full self evaluation)

4.6.1 Almost 100% of GP practices are providing child health surveillance services.

4.6.2 There has been progress on the reduction of teenage conceptions and increased access to health care services for teenage parents. (Paragraphs 273 onwards, page 55 and Young Parents section pages 40-42)

4.6.3 There is a comprehensive Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) with improved access though there remain some gaps in provision, particularly for children with learning disabilities and difficulties. (Paragraphs 262 onwards, page 53)

4.6.4 Hampshire's partnership approach to substance misuse results in high performance in the assessment and treatment of young offenders. Performance against the Youth Justice Board's Substance Misuse Targets remains high with 100% of young offenders screened for substance misuse, 84% assessed within 5 working days and 100% accessing treatment within 10 working days (December 2006 data). (Paragraphs 277 onwards, page 56)

4.6.5 Children in care health checks have improved well in recent years and now show very good performance, outperforming comparators. (Paragraphs 46 onwards, page 14)

4.7 Staying safe (pages 58-70 of the full self evaluation)

4.7.1 Timescales for the completion of initial assessments in 2005-06 were 63.6% which exceeds the performance of statistical neighbours, but is lower than then England average of 66.4%. We are making speedy improvement and as of the end of February 2007 our performance had improved to 69%, above the England average on the previous year. (Paragraphs 322-324, page 63)

4.7.2 The percentage of core assessments we completed on time in 2005-06 was 77% compared to 73% for statistical neighbours and 74% England Average. We increased our performance further to 82% at the end of February 2007.

4.7.3 The number of reviews carried out on time continues to show high performance, in line with statistical neighbours and the England average, with 99% of Child Protection Reviews carried out within required timescales in 2005-06. We project the same percentage completion in 2006-07. In addition we achieve 94% of children in our care reviews held on time.

4.7.5 The new Local Safeguarding Children's Board has been successfully established with joint funding and an increased focused on joint training and performance management systems. (Paragraphs 302-321, page 60)

4.7.6 The number of children and young people killed and seriously injured on our roads has been halved five years ahead of target. (paragraphs 345-347, page 67)

4.7.7 There are, however, a number of factors concerning children in care, including placement stability and educational achievements where our recent progress has been slower than we had planned.

4.7.8 For placement stability, 16% of children in our care had 3 or more placements in 2005-2006, compared to 12% for statistical neighbours and England. We are now implementing a Dfes agreed action plan to improve this.

4.7.9 10.5% of young people leaving our care aged 16 obtained 5 or more GCSEs at grades A*-C or a GNVQ in 2006. This compares to 10% for statistical neighbours and 8.5% across England. While performance is therefore slightly better than comparators, it is still significantly below the overall Hampshire average of 62%. (See page 13, paragraph 40 of the self evaluation document for further details).

4.7.10 For further details of the outcomes of children in our care against the 5 Every Child Matters aims, see pages 11-21 of the Children and Young People's Plan self evaluation document.

4.8 Achieving and enjoying (pages 71-79 of the full self evaluation)

4.8.1 Achievement in the primary years is good. Key Stage 1 results (reading, writing and mathematics) have been strong for some years and, although not quite as good in 2006, children still did well and differences in results between 2006 and previous years are probably explained by more rigorous moderation of teacher assessment.

4.8.2 Progress between Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 is about the national average but, given the strength of Key Stage 1 results, relative to statistical neighbours in 2002, this represents a good trajectory in 2006. Targeting of consultant and inspector/adviser support in the junior years is making a difference.

4.8.3 Permanent exclusions from primary schools continue to be very low, largely due to a more positive attitude within schools and the work of our Behaviour Support Teams. 2005-06 comparative data are not yet available but our own information confirms this.

4.8.4 Incremental improvement has also been seen over the last five years at GCSE. Results remain above the England average and slightly above that of statistical neighbours but especially in Level 1 and Level 2 outcomes to include English and mathematics, on which we have been focussing for two years. In 2005 10 schools were below the Local Authority floor target of 30% for 5+A*-C grades (to include English and mathematics). In 2006 there were 8, and we are on track to halve the number of schools below this indicator by 2007.

4.9 Making a positive contribution (pages 80-86 of the full self evaluation)

4.9.1 Children and young people in Hampshire schools are judged to make a much more positive contribution to the community than children and young people in statistical neighbours or England as a whole. 94% of primary schools were judged to be good or outstanding with 40% outstanding against 24% in statistical neighbours and England. The proportion of secondary schools that were good or outstanding was a little better than statistical neighbours but 39% of our schools were judged to be outstanding compared with 25% in our statistical neighbours. All our special schools were good or outstanding on this measure.

4.9.2 Part of the reason for this achievement is the extensive work we have done on Rights, Respect and Responsibilities. 360 primary schools and 30 secondary schools have taken part in training programmes and schools are now beginning to put themselves forward for the UNICEF Rights-Respecting Schools Award that is being piloted in the county. A number have already achieved level 1 and one has achieved the higher level 2 award - the first school in the country.

4.9.3 Residents' surveys in Hampshire continue to cite more for young people to do as a priority and developing more positive activities for young people is a key area for the LAA. The recent government initiatives of Youth Opportunity Fund and Youth Capital Fund will support us in developing increased positive activities.

4.9.4 We support a large number of children and young people through the work of the Youth Service and Connexions.

4.9.5 The number of first time entrants into the Youth Justice System has fallen against a background of Hampshire Constabulary's continued success in maintaining a high level of offenders brought to justice. In 2005-06 there were 1648 new entrants and 1115 by the end of the third quarter in 2006-07. If performance is maintained at this level for the last quarter there will have been a 9% decrease in first time entrants over the year, ahead of the Youth Justice Board's target for a 5% reduction by 2008, see Section 3 - Positive Contribution.

4.10 Achieving economic wellbeing (pages 87-97 of the full self evaluation)

4.10.1 The percentage of our young people participating in education post-16 is high at 80.43%.

4.10.2 The large majority of students 16-18 attend colleges not school sixth forms and their success at levels 1, 2 and 3 outstrips the England average significantly, except for level 3 in specialist colleges where very small numbers are involved.

4.10.3 Our college provision is exceptionally strong and makes a major contribution to ensure that young people achieve economic wellbeing. Out of 49 beacon sixth form and general further education colleges in England, 8 are in Hampshire. 81% of colleges were judged by Ofsted to be good or better in terms of the standard of learners' work in relation to their learning goals - nearly twenty points better than the England average. Colleges also show exceptionally strong performance, against national averages, in Ofsted judgements on teaching and training in ensuring that the curriculum meets external requirements and is responsive to local needs.

4.10.4 The overall success rate of our work-based learners was significantly higher than the national average although the percentage who successfully completed their NVQ by the planned end date fell in 2005, to below the England average.

4.10.5 Overall, schools make a significant contribution to enabling children and young people to achieve economic wellbeing. 71% of primary schools made a good or outstanding contribution compared with 66% in statistical neighbours and 67% in England; 69% of secondary schools compared with 65% of statistical neighbours and in England.

4.10.6 Our children's centre programme is targeting areas of the county where the Index of Multiple Deprivation data show the greatest need. To date, 17 have been opened and are reaching 14,710 children aged under 5.

4.10.7 45,000 child care places were provided in the last year, 3.1% of the total child care places in England although we only have 2.5% of the country's children. Three year olds accessed 4.19 sessions per week and four year olds 4.62.

4.11 Management of services (pages 98-118 of the full self evaluation)

4.11.1 We have established the Children's Services Department and completed significant structural changes with minimum disruption to services. We also have a coherent vision for the future evolution of those services with a strong emphasis on partnerships, including with schools, notably with the Schools Forum. (Paragraph 576, page 107)

4.11.2 The partnership and governance arrangements are in place with a strong political lead through the Standing Conference and full inter-agency support to the strategic and implementation groups that sit beneath. This is exemplified in a comprehensive Children and Young People's Plan.

4.11.3 We have robust needs analysis which supports the targeting of services to the most vulnerable groups. (Paragraph 15, page 9)

4.11.4 We have good strategies for workforce retention and development. We also have increasing evidence of the involvement of service users in the design, delivery and evaluation of our services. (Paragraphs 424 onwards, page 83).

4.11.5 We face significant resource and financial challenges which reflect the particular circumstances of Hampshire's financial settlement. That said, we have proven our ability to manage effectively within those constraints. (Paragraphs 582 onwards, page 108)

5. Timescales - Annual Performance Assessment

5.1 The process of assessment under the Annual Performance Assessment has two stages.

5.2 Stage One scrutiny occurs at the same time as the Joint Area Review. Annual Performance Assessors will undertake a desk-based analysis on 12 and 13 April. Our self-evaluation, due on 16 April, will be used to complement their analysis. On 20 April the assessors will share their preliminary key points for the Annual Performance Assessment letter at the same time as we receive feedback on the findings of the analysis stage of the Joint Area Review.

5.3 Stage Two of the Annual Performance Assessment takes place during September and October and focuses on:

· the analysis of the most recent children's services dataset

· the analysis of the outcomes from the Tellus2 survey. This is a survey that seeks the perceptions of children and young people who are invited to `tell us' their views.

· the analysis of the outcomes of the 2007 Audit Commission Survey - of schools.

5.4 The Annual Performance Assessment letter, announcing the final grade, will be published on 19 November 2007.

6 Timescales - Joint Area Review

6.1 The process for the Joint Area Review has already begun. Initial briefing meetings were held in December 2006 and January 2007. Case files have been selected and a sample of case files chosen for detailed study by the inspection team. Voluntary sector partners have been identified to participate in the inspection.

6.2 The inspectors will spend April 18 - 20 in the analysis of documentation. They will focus on qualitative and quantitative evidence to demonstrate achievement by children and young people against outcomes, develop further hypotheses and determine the nature of their field work.

6.3 The fieldwork will take place over nine days beginning on May 8 and its focus will be on testing hypotheses and drawing conclusions. The inspectors will be seeking to identify what is it like for young people, especially vulnerable young people, to live and grow up in Hampshire. They will meet and talk with some of them and a sample of parents and carers.

6.4 Inspectors will also explore service issues with a variety of practitioners, middle and strategic managers, including:

· health professionals

· youth workers and personal advisers

· social workers

· specialist staff such as special educational needs and child protection professionals

· local elected members

6.5 Inspectors will be accompanied on their visits by young people who live in Hampshire and are trained as Care Action Team (CAT) Mark, quality award assessors.

6.6 The final report for the Joint Area Review will be published on 14 August 2007.

7. Consultation

7.1 The self-evaluation for the Annual Performance Assessment and the Joint Area Review was completed in collaboration with all partners through the Children and Young People's Strategic Partnership.

8. Legal implications

8.1 None

9. Financial implications

9.1 None

10. Personnel implications

10.1 None

11. Impact assessment

11.1 The work of Children's Services has been impact assessed in respect of the outcomes achieved by children and young people in vulnerable groups including those from black and minority ethnic backgrounds (including travellers and gypsies), children and young people in relative deprivation, children in our care, children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, young parents, young offenders, and young carers. We know our strengths and we have plans to address our weaknesses.

12. Crime prevention issues

12.1 The evaluation of the Children and Young People's Plan sets out our analysis of youth offending, the success of measures to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour, analyses rates of recidivism and details our plans for the future.

13. Views of the Local County Councillor

13.1 Potential for impact too widely spread for meaningful `local' comment.

LINK(S) TO CORPORATE STRATEGY
	Yes	No
Hampshire safer and more secure for all	_
Maximising well-being	_
Enhancing our quality of place	_