The Children, Young People and Education Scrutiny Commission of Leicestershire Council discussed several key issues on Wednesday 19 June 2024, including the funding and sustainability of adventure playgrounds, the overall education performance of children in the city, support for children seeking safety, and the current situation regarding post-16 SEND home-to-school transport.

Adventure Playgrounds Funding

Stephen Ashley raised concerns about the funding for adventure playgrounds, highlighting the difficulties faced due to the absence of a support plan. The Strategic Director of Social Care and Education responded that while the council has historically supported these playgrounds, continued funding is unsustainable due to reduced central government funding. The council has provided grants for the current financial year to help playgrounds move towards self-sustainability. The director emphasised the importance of helping these organisations become viable charities and mentioned that initial five-year leases have been offered to the playgrounds to secure their future. A further report on the issue will be presented at the next meeting.

Education Performance Report

The Education Performance Report was presented by the Director of SEND and Education, highlighting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's education. The report covered the performance of approximately 56,100 children in Leicester’s publicly funded schools. Key points included the better performance of Asian children, English as Additional Language (EAL) children, and children eligible for free school meals compared to their national peers. However, children of mixed and white heritage and those receiving SEN support performed worse. The report also noted that Leicester had not recovered from the pandemic as quickly as the national average. The commission agreed to further review the data and monitor the emergence of a national plan to tackle these challenges.

Children Seeking Safety

The Children Seeking Safety report was presented by the Head of Corporate Parenting, focusing on unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (CSS) in Leicester. The report detailed the routes through which CSS arrive, the support provided by the council, and the challenges faced, including age verification and accommodation pressures. The council is responsible for 38 CSS and 64 care leavers from abroad. The commission discussed the financial implications and the need for a joined-up approach with housing and other services. The commission agreed to keep updated on developments and noted the importance of Leicester's reputation as a City of Sanctuary.

Post-16 SEND Home-to-School Transport

The Strategic Director of Social Care and Education provided a verbal update on the post-16 SEND home-to-school transport policy. The new policy, initially set to be implemented from the next academic year, will be re-consulted following legal advice. The re-consultation will take place in September, and the outcome will be subject to scrutiny. The director highlighted the budget constraints and the need to balance difficult decisions. The commission agreed to receive a fuller report at a future meeting.

Work Programme

The commission reviewed the work programme and suggested additional topics for future meetings, including early years entitlement, the improvement plan for the SEND system, and a report from the Regional Director of the Department for Education.