5 February - Children’s Scrutiny Meeting. Teachers replaced by robots
Just a few highlights to report…
• Whilst the new Family Hubs were said to be “Amazing
and Wonderful” by both Conservative and Labour Councillors, Councillor Fosten
(Labour, Belvedere) thought they might be even more popular if it was not so
obvious that they were Council organised facilities. “Residents may be turned
off by that.” The Cabinet Member Chris Taylor thought that being associated with Social Services might represent a stigma.
• The Children’s Services Transformation programme attempting to improve the placement of children in
foster care or residential accommodation was said to lack the expertise to
manage costs effectively. (Previous reports have said that some children cost the Council
many thousands of pounds per week to accommodate.) “So how can we be
confident that £1·98 million can be saved this year?” was the Chairman’s question “Fairly confident” was the answer.
• The Cabinet Member said that some providers are “price gouging” accommodation costs.
• The Council Leader said that the Government promised to provide funding for SEND deficits etc. and continue with the Statutory Over-ride
beyond 2028. It is now very nearly a year overdue.
• Some young
people are disabled to the extent they cannot get out of bed in the morning and
a few simply refuse to do so. Either way the Council is
compelled to incur home tuition fees. Bexley Council is experimenting with robotic
teachers and currently “has ten in the basement”. They are “very cute” and the
ten cost less than £50,000 including their management. They will allow bed bound
children tuition in a wider range of subjects than could ever be provided by
traditional teachers.