Agenda item

The Chair welcomed officers and highlighted that members should have been presented with a report or received a copy of the presentation in advance.

Context:

We received a presentation which highlighted progress and Performance of the Flying Start Project.

Key Issues:

The presentation highlighted the following issues:

·         Targeted Services

·         Original Flying Start Areas

·         Flying Start Expansion Areas

·         Entitlements

·         Rates of return to human capital investment

·         What can go wrong

·         Risk Factors

·         Population Outcomes

·         Performance Measures

·         Schedule of Growing Skills (SogS)

·         Infant and Toddler Environmental Scale

·         Quality Improvement

·         Childcare Attendance

·         Accident Prevention

·         Advice and Support

Member Scrutiny:

• The committee welcomed the information presented, it was described as enlightening and members recognised the importance of the service.
• Officers were congratulated on the inspiring presentation, however, urged officers to present a report to members.
• It was suggested that further awareness and publication should be made to people.
• A member asked how much funding had been received from Welsh Government and the effect on the service if funding was reduced.  We were informed that the basis of funding was £2200 per child, which covered childcare and services were purchased from ABHB health staff.  The effect on the service would be dependent on the level of any cuts, the service was dependent on quality staff, therefore, first priority would be to achieve savings from elsewhere, rather than through staff reductions.  Budget had been agreed for the forthcoming year.
• 2016/17.
• Officers were commended and it was noted that the same service was not provided in England.
• A query was raised regarding the longitude angle, study of intervention and effect on children going on to further education.  In response, the aim was to ensure the ability to track young children, in transitioning into further study.
• Officers were asked to explain the consequences of the service not being provided.  We were informed, that there would be a significant effect on childcare provision, at the age of 2 children are entitled to 12.5 hours of funded childcare.  The service enabled younger children to attend a setting and families benefited from childcare provision.
• It was suggested that information could be presented at an all members seminar, to raise the profile of the service.
• In terms of performance measures, a member pinpointed low performance in 2015/16.  Officers explained that 2016/16 was the first year the service was provided in the South of the County, relationships and engagement was underway with families.  Performance margins were significant, figures would change if appointments were not attended and one health visitor represented 20/25% of the workforce, which had a massive impact on performance delivery.
• The committee agreed that issues should be scrutinised by select, particularly in relation to the effect on the service I fone staff member was unavailable (e.g due to sickness).  The committee were reassured that there were low levels of sickness, however, cover would have to obtained from other projects.