Agenda item

Following a brief presentation, to consider a report of the Executive Director Core Services and the Executive Director People (Item 5 attached) in respect of the continuous services improvement of Children's Social Care and Safeguarding Services in Barnsley.

The following witnesses were welcomed to the meeting:-

·         Councillor Margaret Bruff, Cabinet Spokesperson, People (Safeguarding)

·         Rachel Dickinson, Executive Director, People

·         Keely Boud, Social Work Team Manager

·         Andrew Veal, Social Work Team Manager

·         Antonia Williams, Social Worker

·         Steve Guirey, Social Worker

·         Alice Darby, Social Worker

The Executive Director, People, gave a brief introduction and gave apologies from Mel John-Ross, Service Director, Children’s Social Care & Safeguarding, who had been instrumental in realising the improvements seen.

A presentation was given and Members were reminded of the 2012 Ofsted inspection, which found that children were safe but judged the overall effectiveness of safeguarding services in Barnsley as being ‘inadequate’.

In 2014 Ofsted judged the overall effectiveness of services for children needing help & protection and children looked after as ‘requiring improvement’ but good for care leavers.

The presentation went on to highlight the differences in experience from the viewpoint of a child experiencing the service in 2012 and 2016/17. Improvements had meant that children are now more likely to get the right service at the right time.  A service review and additional staff as part of the Integrated Front Door meant children are now ready to be received and responded to without delay, with assessments completed in a timely manner.

There is additional management oversight and scrutiny, and cases are audited regularly.  Senior management now meet with social workers and talk directly to children.  An effective recording system is now in place, as are performance management and quality assurance systems.  Constant oversight is provided through the Council, Barnsley Safeguarding Children’s Board, and Barnsley Children and Young People’s Trust.

Children in care in 2017 are now much more likely to have a health assessment and dental check, and Personal Education Plans (PEPs) are completed termly, rather than once a year. 96.8% of children in care also had their care plans reviewed on time, which had led to better outcomes for children. 

For children in 2017, placements were much more likely to be stable, with stability much better than statistical neighbours and nationally, meaning children are less likely to move placements.

However it was noted that challenges remain; with only 42% of care leavers aged 18-21 years entering education, employment or training.

Questions were asked in response to the report and presentation and the following points were noted:-

·         With regards to those leaving care not in education, employment or training, ensuring school placements were sustained and were stable was seen as paramount to ensure the best outcomes for young people.

·         Members acknowledged that Academies within the borough had adopted their own approaches to discipline, however it was suggested that Ofsted was now looking at inclusion in a different way. Members noted that PEPs were reviewed termly, and attendance reviewed monthly. This allowed issues to be raised more immediately, in order to avoid situations such as exclusion.

·         Members noted that all schools within the borough had signed up to the Fair Access Protocols, for those at risk of permanent exclusion.  The Protocol had been subject to peer challenge, and, subject to approval by schools, it was expected that this would be amended to reflect suggested improvements.  It was acknowledged that maintaining children in school placements was important, and moving schools and increasing travel time could put additional pressure on the child.  Members noted the rise of children being educated at home, and it was acknowledged that this was not very well regulated.

·         With regards to ensuring progress was maintained, Members heard how a culture of improvement had been embraced with everyone being more self-aware, and taking responsibility.  The input of Members and a focus on performance had assisted this.

·         Members discussed visits to school.  It was noted that where and when visits were conducted was subject to appropriate consideration of risk and safety, acting in the best interests of the child.  Occasionally this meant meeting within school time, but could also mean before 9.00am or after 5.00pm, this could also include travelling to visit children placed out of the borough.  The impact of this on workloads was acknowledged, as were the reasons behind this.  Members noted that comparatively small numbers of children were placed outside the borough.

·         With regards to workloads and how manageable they were for officers, it was noted that caseloads are bigger than was desirable, which can cause stress and challenges but this was under constant consideration in order to be managed most effectively.  The ongoing recruitment process, together with the avoidance of using agency staff, and the permanent nature of the workforce including management had provided stability and more effective ways of working.

·         With reference to the report circulated, it was suggested that phrases within could be more specific in order to aid scrutiny.  It was noted that much of the additional specific detail was contained in background reports, which could be circulated to Members to assist.

RESOLVED:-

(i)            The content of the report and presentation be noted; and

(ii)          That the witnesses be thanked for their attendance.