Agenda item

The Chair noted that the previous major review report on the Stronger Families Hub had been presented to, and recommendations agreed at, Cabinet in November 2023.

It was summarised that at the previous meeting, a number of potential review topics had been discussed. This had led to a general consensus that absenteeism would be a good topic to review, with a focus on persistent absenteeism.

Following this, a scoping report on the topic of persistent absenteeism was drafted and brought to the current meeting. Members considered the scoping report with a view to confirming a review topic.

Officers noted that the bulk of the introduction to the topic of persistent absenteeism had been presented, along with the other potential topics, at the previous meeting.

Members sought to refine the draft Terms of Reference within the scoping report:

The first suggested amendment was to Term of Reference 1, to include a reference to primary planning areas.

The next suggestion was to ensure that there was not just a focus on the impact of COVID-19 but also other factors.

A further suggestion focused on Term of Reference 4 and the reference to partnership working to ensure that there would be engagement with parents/ carers, young people, teachers, officers and other stakeholders.

Furthermore, an additional Term of Reference was suggested to look at what other Local Authorities, including statistical neighbours, were doing to tackle the problem of persistent absenteeism.

Members further noted the escalating prominence of absenteeism, both as a result of but also outside of the impact of COVID-19.

Members asked about the possibility of including a look at what the Council had been doing previously to tackle the issue of persistent absenteeism, and how this had been impacted by COVID-19.

Members further noted the possibility of refining the review into cohorts, age groups, and geographical areas.

Members asked about the baseline figures for absenteeism and especially persistent absenteeism. It was noted that within the scoping report, the figure for persistent absenteeism within Hillingdon for the 2022/2023 academic year was 33.96%, and at the beginning of the 2023/2024 academic year the figure was 17.3%. Officers noted that the figure for 2023/2024 was lower in part because it was taken from a snapshot of just the Autumn term. It was estimated to be around 19% currently, and it was further noted that the figure for this point during the current year was lower than this point in the previous year. In summary, the baseline figure was the end of the academic year.

Members further noted that potential that the review had to make positive change. Members further noted external issues and risks, and the potential to look to the future, with a view to prevention.

Members noted that some actions had already taken place, as noted within the report and suggested that it would be beneficial to get updates on these actions.

In summary, the Committee agreed to undertake its next review into the topic of persistent absenteeism. Next steps, including identifying potential witnesses, contacting schools and devising a plan of witness sessions would take place going forward.

RESOLVED: That the Children, Families and Education Select Committee:

1.    Discussed the absenteeism topic idea with a view to deciding on a review topic; and

2.    Confirmed that persistent absenteeism would be the topic of the next major review.