Agenda item

There is really good work being undertaken which is encouraging to read. Free School Meals and Period dignity are significant issues, as is work around the summer activity programme.

Under the uniform section it provides an example out of county. Next year the uniform exchange operating from the Hive in Llandrindod could be mentioned.

With regard to the link to credit unions and savings, could this be promoted more and help young people with safe financing.

There needs to be meaningful engagement with young people and schools about the transformation process so that this detail can be included in next year's report.

Councillor Jake Berriman declared an interest as a possible member of the Red Kite Credit Union.

The Chair suggested that it would be worth considering linking locations for the distribution of school uniforms with food banks across the county, so that there is one point of contact rather than a link to each individual school.

With regard to the Credit union this was a specific recommendation from the Children's Commissioner which was included in the action plan. Engagement work with schools and learners will commence in September to see what's practical to put in place.

Page 20 - The Pupil Deprivation Grant Access grant support is for years 1, 5, 8,9 and 11. What about pupils in years 2,3,4,6,7 and 10.

Page 22 - mention of school uniform and the use of council run buildings and resources - what is this system and how does it work.

Page 24 - mention of checks on awards for council tax reduction for families with children on FSM (Free School Meals) of school age who do not claim FSM but families have eligible income. The Income and Awards Team then award and write to advise families they have done so. Is this the wrong way around, i.e. should the check be undertaken first then the award made, and then the information provided to families.

Specific criteria is provided by Welsh Government about year groups. Year Groups have however been widened this year which is nearly all years excluding years 2 and 6. For Special schools the criteria is set on ages with the exclusion of ages 6 and 8 and all children looked after who attend a school in Powys.

The actions in the second part of the report are taken directly from the Children's Commissioner's report, together with the Council's response. Some schools have established uniform recycling schemes, but also the Council will explore opportunities to pursue other options such as linking with food banks.

This can be referred to the Income and Awards Section for a response which can be provided following the meeting.

Period dignity – is the Council intending to provide any products which are sustainable moving forward.

Teachers have been advised to consider that when pupils were approaching them asking for period products whether this needed to be considered as part of a wider safeguarding issue. Therefore, when schemes are being put in place are teachers being advised to look at wider issues of safeguarding in relation to pupils.

Yes the Council is looking at providing sustainable products. The level of sustainable products has been increased to around 84% for the forthcoming year. Smaller packs will also be distributed to high schools to make girls aware of what's available.

Schools are trained in safeguarding, and looking for signs of neglect. For some families this is not a safeguarding issue but a poverty issue.

Do we have any information on the uptake of these products, or volumes per school.

Based on the information that we have are we confident that pupils in need are taking up this service.

We know the figures about the volumes per school but not numbers of individuals using the service.

We have received good feedback from schools and for any change there is liaison with schools to ensure that it is a change that they want. Feedback is that the scheme is well received  and well accessed.

Play resources pack - this is what's needed. Is it linked to parenting support or classes. Outside of flying start areas do we know of a need in other areas.

Was it evaluated.

Free Breakfast clubs - can we achieve this across the county where needed. An issue was raised in relation to school transport and access to free breakfast clubs which links with poverty.

Play packs – these were put together as a result of specific grant funding and targeted to the age of children specified in the grant. The Council would wish to widen this in future if there were additional grant or opportunities to do so.

That was led by Children's Services and a response can be obtained.

Transport and breakfast clubs was an issue raised in scrutiny.

Breakfast clubs are important and the authority has worked with schools to make sure that they do happen, but they have been sporadic over the last year due to the pandemic.