Agenda item

The Strategic Director of Social Care and Education will provide a verbal update in relation to the impact of the coronavirus on Leicester’s children services and schools.

The Strategic Director of Social Care and Education provided a verbal update in relation to the impact of the coronavirus on Leicester’s children services and schools. The following was noted:

·         During the pandemic children’s social care and early help services continued with some adjustments including the implementation of virtual contact, feedback received reported that virtual contact worked better to some extent. In addition, contact between parents and children was ensured and facilitated.

·         There were numerous lessons with how to deliver services for children of Leicester City and the division looked at different ways of how to meet the needs of children in this time.

·         It was reported that Ofsted and the courts were satisfied with the level of contact that LCC provided and it was clear that Leicester were not on the list of Local Authorities that Ofsted were concerned about. A letter confirming this detail would be provided by Ofsted in due course.

·         As a result of the increase in infection nationally, the government decided to close the schools during the most recent lockdown, of which the division had very little warning about.

·         In addition, there was a lot of confusion and tension with the guidance issued by the Department of Education.

·         The following had to be sorted out very quickly; the provision of free school meals – whereby information was being revised on a daily basis, digital inclusion and availability of digital devices, cancellation of exams and further work for schools in relation to psychological issues and assessments.

·         The sector was keeping updated with guidance on testing for staff/ pupils, and where in priority school staff should be, for vaccinations.

·         Leicester City Council would be interviewed as part of the Local Government Association (LGA) process regarding the impact of the virus.

Members of the Commission discussed the information presented, expressed their concerns and received responses, as follows:

·         The eligibility of free school meal provisions was explained in more detail, these included: Food parcels – which the government advised was the first option and each parcel contained a week’s worth of food, but however costed more than producing a meal onsite. The other option for free school meals which over 70% of eligible children had opted for, was the provision of vouchers which could be exchanged for food at local shops or supermarkets and would cover two weeks’ worth of lunches for a child. To recognise the additional costs for providing these provisions, schools would be able to claim additional funding.

Some Members of the Commission had the following concerns:

·         The government had reduced the threshold for free school meals, it was reported that some food parcels received had a few items such as bread with near or expired best before dates. The Assistant City Mayor for Education would feed this back to the relevant area.

·         There were still over 4,700 children of key workers attending schools, during the lockdown and there were concerns that this would increase the transmission rate.

·         The contrasts in home school learning and the disparities between school education provisions could have an impact on those children already struggling. It was responded that some of the challenges of this were access to devices, content, broadband, relevant space, home facilities amongst other factors.

·         Many professionals such as school leaders and teachers were reported to had reached a breaking point and some of them felt they could not do their job as well as they would want to. There were concerns of long-term impact.

·         Many vulnerable children may have become more vulnerable as a result of the current situation.

·         Some Members of the Commission were of the view that the City could produce documentation to show the impact things were having, this would also support teachers and help prepare for future pandemics.

·         Thanks, were expressed to the division, union and teachers who had worked continuously to deal with the situation as it emerged.

AGREED:

1.    Officers to consider support or a piece of work to support headteachers and staff.

2.    To capture all challenges being faced by schools.

3.    In partnership with the Assistant/ Deputy Mayors and Officers, a letter be sent to the Department for Education with regards to proposed tests.

4.    The Assistant City Mayor for Education to explore the process for supporting schools with digital devices via Ward Communities funds.