Agenda item

Context:

To receive an update on the revised model for staffed play provision implemented for the 2016 summer period.

Key Issues:

Towards the end of 2015, the Select Committee had received a report on a number of play related issues, including proposed changes to staffed play provision for 2016 and the timetable for producing the Play Sufficiency Audit and Action Plan for 2016/17.

In previous years the Council had provided summer holiday play schemes at the four leisure centres plus a “satellite” provision at the Bulwark Community Centre, the latter provision having been run on behalf of and paid for by Chepstow Town Council. The play schemes were effectively a form of childcare registered with the Care and Social Services Inspectorate for Wales (CSSIW) and provided staffed play provision for four weeks of the summer holidays for children between 5 and 11 years of age.

The proposal when this matter was last scrutinised by the Select Committee was to move to a model of play provision in summer 2016 that contained two main components – sports camps held at the four leisure centres and open access play sessions held in a number of community venues across the County. Delivery of open access play was dependent on the outcome of consultations with partners, most notably Town and Community Councils, due to the reliance on their funding to enable these schemes to take place. The discussions with the Town and Community Councils were successful and they all agreed to maintain (and in some cases increase) their contributions at the existing levels. 

The sports camps (the Monmouthshire Games) were run by Leisure Services as self-financing schemes on a daily basis over a five week period (25^th July to 26^th August  2016) from 9.00am to 3.00pm. These did not have to be registered with the CSSIW, as they were regarded as sports activities rather than play provision.

The open access play sessions were organised and managed on behalf of the Council by the Torfaen Play Service (TPS). These were run over a 19 day period (1^st to 25^th August 2016).

Attendance at the open access sessions was free of charge and they were fully inclusive for children with disabilities / additional support needs. Because the sessions lasted for just under two hours each, these sessions also did not require registration with the CSSIW.

The open access play schemes were staffed by a mixture of predominantly paid staff and some volunteers and immediately prior to the schemes commencing all staff underwent a full week of training, during which over 40 different modules were delivered to ensure that the staff had the necessary skills to work with children and young people.

In delivering the open access schemes, Torfaen Play Service adhered to all safeguarding policies and procedures in line with Monmouthshire County Council and the South East Wales Safeguarding Board, which was one of the provisions in the Service Level Agreement entered into between the two authorities.

All of the delivery sites had a secure building linked to outside areas, so that all children were placed at all times in a safe and supportive setting. During the lead in period, there was close and effective communication with the Children with Disabilities Team based in Social Services. Disabled children and those with additional support needs were allocated 1:2:1 support workers to ensure that they felt supported in an inclusive environment. For a small number of children with “high end” support needs, there was a specialist provision held at Pontypool Active Living Centre and there were five spaces at this provision allocated to children from Monmouthshire.

Prior to attendance at their first open access session, all children had to be registered and details of the names and contact details of their respective parents / guardians were taken in case any of the children wanted to leave before the end of any sessions that they attended. The vast majority of children registered attended most sessions at their chosen site and a number of children attended both morning and afternoon sessions. No particular difficulties were experienced and there were no safeguarding issues that arose with any child during the period that the schemes were operating.

Consideration is now being given to the provisions to be implemented for the summer period 2017. The self-financing Monmouthshire Games at the leisure centres continued over the October half term period and it is likely that similar provisions will be made for five weeks over the summer period next year. Discussions are taking place with TPS regarding the open access provisions for 2017 and discussions are also taking place with the various Town and Community Councils in an effort to secure their continued financial support.

Member Scrutiny:

·         Working relationships with the town and community councils have improved this year.

·         The Vice-Chair asked that this report be presented to Chepstow Town Council with a view to resuming dialogue regarding this matter.

·         Page 24 of the agenda – minor amendment required at the top of the page, namely, 80%, not 8%.

·         In response to a Select Committee Member’s question regarding the 48 play schemes, it was noted that Monmouthshire had hosted 12 of them and Torfaen had hosted 36 of the schemes. Torfaen was able to host more schemes as it had a fully funded play service with a budget and additional grant aid, as well as having a more established play scheme programme. 

·         In response to a Select Committee Members question it was noted that it was difficult to compare this year with last year as the Authority is running something very different.  The total number of children using the leisure centres has reduced in comparison to the number of children accessing the play schemes.  However, the total number of children involved has remained the same.

·         The Authority is now offering a more consistent, wholly inclusive play offer.

·         Coordination with Children’s Services is good.

·         Committed to an open access play model.

·         In response to a Select Committee Member’s question regarding fixed play provision within the County, it was noted that there has never been a dedicated budget for fixed play provision.  Play teams inspect equipment and sometimes are required to remove equipment. Officers are having to review fixed play equipment across Monmouthshire.

·         It was considered that town and community councils could take more responsibility with regard to the provision of fixed play equipment.

·         It was noted that the summer play scheme had been provided with minimal investment and officers were commended for ensuring this service was provided.