Agenda and minutes

There were no Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.

a)  To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 9^th February, 2017

b)  Matters Arising

The minutes of the meeting held on 9^th February, 2017 were approved.

Report of the Executive Director for People

Further to Minute 26/16 the Scrutiny Board noted a briefing note of the Deputy Chief Executive (People) which provided an update on the progress of recommendations of the Scrutiny Task and Finish Group on Supervision of Social Work Staff over the last 6 months.

The Scrutiny Task and Finish group met last municipal year to look in detail at supervision of social care staff and to support the improvement plan.  Members talked to managers and had information about staff supervision to suggest areas for improvement.  Recommendations were endorsed by the Cabinet Member in April, 2016 (minute 41/15 refers) and it was agreed that Scrutiny would monitor progress.

The recommendations were listed in the briefing note with an update on progress.  Some had been achieved and others were being worked on.

The Scrutiny Board questioned the Cabinet Member and Deputy Cabinet Member for Children and Young People and the officer present on the following:

·  Recruitment and retention of staff

·  Data on supervision

·  Group and individual supervision and reflection

·  English as an additional language

·  Cultural awareness

·  Training

·  Partnerships

·  Career pathways

RESOLVED that further information including data for Social Care Staff Progress be provided in the next Update on the Improvement Board.

Report of the Executive Director for People

The Scrutiny Board noted a briefing note of the Deputy Chief Executive (People) regarding progress on quality assurance.

The briefing note recognised that the quality assurance and continuous improvement framework was revised in December 2015 and last updated in October 2016.  The quality assurance and continuous improvement framework articulates how Coventry City Council Children’s Services managed and measured quality.  Improving the consistency in the quality of work improved outcomes for Coventry’s children.  This supported the development of a culture that expected and valued high standards that improved the quality of service to users and carers.  These aspirations and standards would drive up expectations, improve learning and strengthen outcomes and impact.

The framework was used to support improved outcomes. Assuring quality of practice was essential to the provision of a good service to the children and young people of Coventry. A revised Audit schedule for 2017 was part of the framework which was updated monthly.  The framework continued to evolve, it was informed by learning from the audits, single agency learning reviews and serious case reviews overseen by Coventry Safeguarding Children Board. 

Since November 2015 there had been a renewed and relentless focus on improving the quality of practice through the audit and review cycle, which was linked to developing practice through the use of supervision, team meetings, practice improvement forums and manager briefings.  The service had developed a more robust programme of audits to inform continuous practice.

The briefing note contained headline results of 2016/17 audits, performance indicator trends, improving practice, next steps and an overview of external audits.

RESOLVED that Neil MacDonald the newly appointed Strategic Lead be invited to a future meeting to discuss the Quality Assurance framework.

Briefing Note of the Scrutiny Co-ordinator

The Scrutiny Board noted the briefing note of the Scrutiny Co-ordinator regarding outstanding actions requested by the Board.

RESOLVED that the officers responsible for outstanding actions be contacted.

Briefing Note of the Scrutiny Co-ordinator

The Scrutiny Board noted the work programme and requested an additional meeting.

RESOLVED that an additional meeting of Education and Children’s Services Scrutiny Board be arranged.

Any other items of business which the Chair decides to take as matters of urgency because of the special circumstances involved.

SEVA School

Further to minute 55/ 16 an informal briefing be arranged for Education and Children’s Services Scrutiny Board (2) members regarding the school recent Ofsted.