Children, Young People and Learning
The department aims to ensure that children and young people achieve the best possible outcomes for their lives through education, advice and guidance, access to support and where necessary specialist placements.
For children and young people aged between 0 and 19 years in Bracknell Forest we provide universal, targeted, specialist and crisis intervention services. Some of these are managed directly like Children’s Social Care, Children’s Centres and the Youth Service. Others (like schools) are provided indirectly and some are commissioned from other agencies, like most Special Needs provision.
Whether provided directly or indirectly there is a key role for the department in terms of championing the interests of children and young people, challenging services to provide the very best and collaborating with a range of partners to ensure that all aspects of the Every Child Matters Outcomes Framework is addressed. In addition to services for children and young people the department is responsible for adult and community learning.
Provision is shaped within the Borough through a range of partnerships including the Children’s Trust, and the Early Years, Childcare & Play, Health and Social Care and Lifelong Learning Partnerships. The department is also responsible for the Local Safeguarding Children Board. In all of these areas the Council offers a strongleadership role in terms of shaping service development and delivery. There is a strong relationship with the PCT. The Children’s Trust is a thriving organisation that is having an impact locally.
The department is high performing and external assessments reflect this. The outcomes of the JAR rated local services as ‘good’ and this has been sustained through subsequent Annual Performance Assessments.
There are 1165 full time staff and 1473 part-time staff (including those based in schools) The annual revenue budget is in the order of £60m for schools and £42m for non-school functions. There is a sizable capital budget including BSF one school pathfinder, Primary Schools Capital Strategy for Change and the Council’s own programme.
The department comprises four branches:
- Learning and Achievement
- Access and Inclusion
- Children’s Social Care
- Performance and Resources
Each of the branches is led by a Chief Officer who has the responsibility for the performance of the areas under his or her control.
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