(Councillor White was unable to attend in person, so attended and contributed remotely via Microsoft Teams, but did not vote on any of the items, in line with the requirements of the Local Government Act 1972)

Councillors to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests they may have in relation to the items for consideration.

Councillor Ballsdon declared a personal interest in item 16 on the basis that she was Chair of Governors at the Avenue School.

Councillor Ennis declared a personal interest in item 20 on the basis that his mother-in-law was receiving support from the Council’s Adult Social Care Service.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 1 July 2021 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Health and Wellbeing Board – 19 March 2021 and 16 July 2021

The Minutes of the following meeting were submitted:

• Health and Wellbeing Board – 19 March and 16 July 2021

Members of the Youth Council will be present at the meeting to present the Youth Council Constitution and inform the Committee about their current work.  

The Executive Director of Children’s Services – Education, Early Help and Social Care, Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC), submitted a report providing an update on how the Youth Council operated in Reading, an overview of how the Youth Council was run and the various roles and responsibilities of different  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

A report providing an update on the work undertaken by the Education Service at Brighter Futures for Children to children looked after (CLA) and care leavers (CL), and the achievements in relation to previously high numbers of vulnerable young people not participating education, employment and training (NEET).

The Executive Director of Children’s Services – Education, Early Help and Social Care, Brighter Futures for Children, submitted a report on services that were being provided by Leaving Care, the Virtual School and the Elevate Team within Brighter Futures for Children to children looked after and care leavers and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

A report providing information on the review of SEND admission policies and arrangements.

Further to Minute 20 of the 20 January 2021 meeting and Minute 8 of the previous meeting, the Executive Director of Children’s Services – Education, Early Help and Social Care, Brighter Futures for Children, submitted a report on the admission arrangements for children and young people with SEND.

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

A report providing the Committee with an update regarding the SEND Strategy.

The Executive Director of Children’s Services – Education, Early Help and Social Care, Brighter Futures for Children, submitted a report providing a brief update on the SEND Strategy and presenting a copy of the letter from Ofsted following a recent inspection.  A copy of the SEND Strategy was attached  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

A report presenting the Committee with the Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2020/21.

The Executive Director of Social Care and Health submitted a report which would form the Council’s submission to the Berkshire West Annual Report 2020/21 and would be incorporated with partners contributions with the approved action plan.  The Council’s Safeguarding Performance Data was attached to the report in Appendix A and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

The following motion will be moved by the Chair:

“That, pursuant to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as

amended) members of the press and public be excluded during

consideration of the following item on the agenda, as it is likely that

there will be disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph

3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of that Act”

That pursuant to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), members of the press and public be excluded during consideration of item 20 below as it was likely that there would be a disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 specified in Part 1 of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

A report asking the Committee to consider options and approve a procurement process for Extra Care support contracts.

The Executive Director of Social Care and Health submitted a report that explored and made recommendations regarding the Council’s options for commissioning Extra Care support upon the expiry of a number of contracts.

Resolved –

(1)     That procurement be progressed to procure two Extra Care support contracts (for 141 units  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.