Agenda item

Children's Social Care Performance Report

To consider a cover report relating to Children’s Social Care Performance (Item 8a) in relation to the Data Report (Item 8b) and the Explanatory Document (Item 8c).

 

Minutes:

Members were invited to consider a cover report relating to Children’s Social Care Performance (Item 8a) in relation to the Data Report (Item 8b) and the Explanatory Document (Item 8c).  Mel John-Ross introduced the report. Areas to note include the increase in contacts and assessments; the rise in the number of children in care; the strength of partnership working during the pandemic (particularly with schools) and the flexibility of working offered during the pandemic.

 

Strong overall performance has been maintained in the majority of areas throughout the report, despite the additional challenges and pressures brought about by the pandemic. 

 

It was reiterated that Barnsley remains committed to maintaining a stable work force and agency staff are not used for front line posts, which has been the case for a number of years.  Staff welfare and reduction of caseloads for all social workers remains a priority.  Face to face working in localities has continued throughout the pandemic but on a more flexible level and the refurbishment of Westgate will not affect staff adversely.

 

The service was last subject to a full OFSTED inspection in October 2018 and received a judgement of ‘good’.  The Annual Engagement is due in October 2021.  Additional Social Workers and Family Support Workers (assigned to Social Workers) have been recruited.  Barnsley is a nationally recognised 'Employer of Choice' for Social Workers. 

 

RESOLVED that

 

(i)            the performance report be noted, and

 

(ii)          the service be congratulated on recruitment of social workers and the excellent service provided to children and their families in Barnsley.

 

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