Agenda item

Children First Improvement Programme Update

Report by Executive Director of Children, Young People and Learning. 

 

The report updates the Committee on the developments and progress made in the Children First Programme since its last update in September. 

Minutes:

31.1     The Committee considered a report by the Executive Director of Children, Young People and Learning.  The item was introduced by Cllr Russell, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, who told the Committee that:

 

·       The establishment of a Children’s Trust had been agreed by Cabinet on 20 October and she thanked the Committee for their input on this matter.

·       The findings of the focussed visit by Ofsted would be available on 4 December.

·       The report showed that the transformation work was continuing at pace despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

31.2     Mr Clark, Children First Transformation Director, introduced the report and highlighted the following key areas:

 

·       Following the Cabinet decision in October on the Children’s Trust, work was progressing with Mutual Ventures on detailed workstreams to establish the Trust.  The Trust was due to be in operation by 1 October 2021.

·       The three-week Ofsted focussed visit looking at leadership, the service response to Covid-19, looked after children and care and protection had taken place and the outcome was expected on 4 December.

 

31.3     Summary of responses to Committee members’ questions and comments:

 

·       Good multi agency working arrangements were essential and the safeguarding model was about building and expanding those links.  It was also hoped the ways of working in the Pause project could be expanded and embedded in the service.  The Committee were reminded that the Children First Board had 30-35 members encompassing all areas of partnership including district and borough councils.

·       Demand on service was being monitored and since the return to school the numbers of referrals had risen back in line with where they would be expected to be.  Resource had been taken up with more complex cases leading to higher levels of intervention.  The service was able to move staff to support front line service teams where needed.

·       There are still levels of risk in the service, but the service is doing its best to keep children safe.  Work includes internal auditing of cases as well as external auditing by Hampshire County Council where highlighted issues of practice can be attended to.

·       Around 450 staff had taken part in staff engagement sessions to outline plans for the transformation work including the Children’s Trust, and it had given staff an opportunity to provide their views and insights.  It was hoped to build a more mature and open dialogue with staff enhancing the cascading information and regular feedback from staff.   A staff engagement policy was being developed and Mr Clark would look at giving the Committee the opportunity to review some of the feedback from staff.

·       Work was progressing on the Family Safeguarding Model. In-depth work was taking place to explore how teams are set up and how staffing resources could be changed to position and locate teams in the best way. It was expected that the new Model would to be in place by October 2021. 

·       The Mind of My Own (MOMO) app has had an increased uptake by children, young people and staff and increased marketing was planned this year to further increase uptake. It was agreed to share information on the app with all Councillors asking them to promote within their communities.

 

31.4     Cllr Russell reminded theCommittee that the service was making progress but there was still a long way to go to get the service where it wanted to be.  Good foundation blocks had been laid with the appointment of a permanent leadership team and progress was being made.

 

31.5     Resolved that – the Committee:

 

1.          Is satisfied that the evidence provided demonstrates progress is being made on the improvement journey and improving outcomes for children and young people.

 

2.          Highlights the importance of partnership working to ensure the best outcomes for children and families and requests that this continues to be a key area of focus and recognised area of risk.    

 

3.          Requests further data and information on the number of referrals, children under child protection plans and coming into care since the start of the pandemic and the impact this is having on the service is included in the update report presented at the 7 January Committee meeting.

 

4.          Writes to the Chairman of the Corporate Parenting Panel to suggest that the Panel provides their view on the quality of health support for children looked after. 

 

5.          Supports that co-production work with children and young people is carried out as part of the transformation agenda to ensure the voice of the child is at the centre of the development of the service. 

 

6.          Requests that updates on staff engagement work are included in future update reports to the Committee.

Supporting documents: