To fulfil the functions of Policy Development and Scrutiny (as detailed in the PDS guidelines) as they relate to Council policies, services and activities relating to Education and Social Work.
These functions include:
1. Scrutinising, complementing and adding value (including consideration of equalities issues) to the work of the Executive Member for Education and Social Renewal, specifically in relation to:
· nursery, primary, secondary school and special educational needs provision;
· raising educational attainment;
· development of school curricula and in-service training;
· provision of psychological service;
· Child Care Strategy;
· vocational training;
· careers service to schools.
2. Scrutinising, complementing and adding value (including consideration of equalities issues) to the work of the Executive Member for Social Care, specifically in relation to:
· community care;
· children and family services;
· adult services;
· criminal justice services;
· Community Health and Care Partnerships;
· addictions services;
· homelessness function and strategy, including hostels decommissioning.
3. Examining, on behalf of the Council, various policies, strategies and plans in draft relating to Education and Social Work Services (whether provided directly by the Council, external organisations or partnerships) and reporting on these to the Executive Committee.
4. Scrutinising financial and performance information in relation to any matters falling within the remit of this committee.
5. Initiating and undertaking specific scrutiny reviews of any matters falling within the remit of this committee.
6. Undertaking reviews or policy development tasks as requested by the Executive Committee.
7. Considering any external audit (or equivalent) reports which relate to any issue falling within the remit of this committee.