Agenda item

Consider presentation by Director Education and Lifelong Learning.

2.1       The Chair introduced the Director Education and Lifelong Learning to give a presentation on risk management in Education and Lifelong Learning.  The presentation slide pack had been sent to members of the Committee on 9 December 2022. Ms Munro presented an organisational chart that outlined where service risks had been identified across and led by officers within Education and Lifelong Learning.  The corporate risk that Ms Munro manages for the Senior Leadership Team was highlighted in which if children or young people were placed or educated outwith the local area their needs may not be sufficiently met and such placements result in significant cost to the local authority.  This remained under active review rather than covered periodically, and Ms Munro worked with the Chief Officer Children and Young People’s Social Work and the Corporate Risk Officer took a detailed approach into factors affecting this risk.  The context reported showed an increased number of young people showing distressed behaviours which was identified as being an impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, including in children of a younger age profile than had previously been observed.  There was also a reduction seen in available and suitable foster care spaces, respite and placements externally in these areas.  This reflected the national picture.  There were internal controls that were regarded as partially effective as they tended to be procedural or of a governance nature rather than addressing the number of care spaces.  The next steps in management of the risks were to undertake an urgent review alongside the Director Social Work and Practice and the Director Health and Social Care to identify mitigating actions and to look at revenue and capital implications of any recommendations made.  Other corporate risks managed by the Director Education and Lifelong Learning were de-escalated following a structured exercise to map strategic risks from the Corporate Risk Register.  These related to Strategic Risk 18 Mental and Emotional Wellbeing of Children and Young People and Strategic Risk 20 Education System.  Work to finalise the Risk Appetite, Capacity and Tolerance Toolkit had been finalised and was being introduced to Risk Owners and Managers.  The Toolkit would help to meet the recommendation set out in the Risk Management Internal Audit Report 2021.

2.2       There were 30 Service Risks which Ms Munro presented to the committee.  Some risks were of limited lifespan which included Covid-19 related measures which may be removed in the near future.  Ms Munro suggested that some risks may be amalgamated such as those related to staffing.  Concern of the impact of short-term school closures has been reduced following the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.  High impact risks in Community Learning and Development (CLD) were identified related to third sector funding and access to CLD services.  In line with the revised risk management policy, these would be reviewed by Directors to see if any further mitigation could be taken.  However, Ms Munro advised that this was a small service that would impact a lower number of users.  Risks to young people’s mental wellbeing and violence were highlighted.  With regards to violence, the nurture approach was being used to mitigate distressed behaviours leading to violence.  An improvement collaborative activity was undertaken within the service to focus on distressed behaviours as an increase of distressed behaviours was being seen nationally.  On mental health and wellbeing, the Covid-19 pandemic has had an impact on young people.  Participation on the national survey of health and wellbeing has given the service strong data on areas to work on for young people and to assist with resource allocation and support planning.  A mobile application had been developed for young people to access a directory of support to address young people’s mental health.

2.3       The Director Education and Lifelong Learning responded to questions from members.  Mr Whitfield raised a number of procedural comments related to dates and actions associated with risks, access to the risk register and on risk related to impact on children and young people.  The Director Education and Lifelong Learning acknowledged the points raised and the Chief Officer Audit and Risk summarised procedural matters related to risk appetite.  Risk appetite tolerance and capacity toolkit would be used with risk owners for a considerable period of time which would give an opportunity to assess categorisation of what risk approach should be taken based on risk rating.  Tolerate element would be evaluated as the risk appetite toolkit was applied.  With regards to specific actions on red and high impact risks contained within the report, the report and presentation was intended to cover high-level information; however risk management practices and actions were in place to address risks.  The Acting Chief Executive advised that the information in the presentation was a summary of risk within the service area and that members were welcome to have an oversight session arranged to assess risk register and see risk management arrangements behind the snapshot contained in the presentation.  The Chief Officer Audit and Risk advised that a risk management overview seminar was delivered in September 2022 attended by the Audit Committee members and other elected members and that information presented could be shared with all members.

DECISION

NOTED the update.

MEMBER

During discussion of the above item, Councillor Anderson left the meeting due to technical difficulties.