Agenda item

Briefing Note of the Deputy Chief Executive (People)

Further to Minute 3/17 the Scrutiny Board considered a briefing note of the Deputy Chief Executive (People) which informed the Board of progress with the Children’s Services Improvement Plan reported to the Children’s Services Improvement Board on 14^th June, 2017.  The report was based on data from April, 2017 and the next Improvement Board would be on 18^th October, 2017.

The Ofsted re-inspection of Children’s Services in March, 2017 judged overall services in Coventry as “requires improvement to be good”. Services for Children were no longer inadequate, which was a key point in the improvement journey and demonstrated the improvements made over the last few years.  The service was no longer subject to an improvement notice and the Department for Education removed the intervention on 13^th June, 2017 when the Ofsted inspection was published, however support would continue to be provided for the next 12 months.

The report highlighted nine recommendations and areas for further development, in response to this a Children’s Services Improvement Plan had been developed.  The plan included the actions to deliver the recommendations and areas for development for children who need help and protection; children looked after and achieving permanence; leadership, management and governance.  New performance measures had been developed to demonstrate improvement and impact and would be included in the monthly performance report.

The report identified a number of issues for partners including the application of thresholds and the appetite for risk across the strategic safeguarding partnership. The Improvement Board would work to strengthen and provide assurance and governance role of partners and the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (LSCB).  The LSCB would report on progress made in respect of the required areas of improvement that relate to partners.

The final Improvement Plan would be submitted to Ofsted and the DfE by 20 September 2017. The report and revised Improvement Plan would be shared with staff and partners and progress against the plan reported to Education and Children’s Services Scrutiny Board at quarterly intervals.

At the meeting on the 14^th June, 2017 the Improvement Board was reviewed and Board Members agreed to continue to operate a Children’s Services Improvement Board to meet every 12 weeks as oppose to 6 weeks and the Shadow Board and Implementation Group would also be every 12 weeks.

The briefing note also provided information about the following:

·  Re-design of Children’s Services

·  Quality Assurance and Practice

·  More detail requested by the Board regarding return home interviews, children placed with foster carers and in residential care and newly appointed social worker retention

·  Performance overview

·  Communication

The Scrutiny Board discussed the redesign of Children’s Services and return home interview concerns with officers and the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People.

RESOLVED that

1)  The Scrutiny Board request that redesign of children’s services be considered at their meeting in September, 2017.

2)  The redesign of children’s services consultation document be sent to Members of the Board including co-opted members.

3)  The Chair of the Board and the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People and Deputy Chair to meet with the Deputy Chief Executive for People and the Director of Children’s Services to discuss the redesign before it is considered by the Board in September.