Agenda item

This is an informal briefing note to the Panel about the role of the Director of Children’s Services (DCS). The DCS post is regulated under the Children Act 2004 which sets out the specific accountabilities of the DCS as the Government legislated to bring together Education Services and Children’s Social Care Services following the Victoria Climbie inquiry.

The People and Communities Strategic Director introduced this item to the Panel. He informed them that the post of Director of Children’s Services (DCS) is regulated under the Children Act 2004 which sets out the specific accountabilities of the DCS as the Government legislated to bring together Education Services and Children’s Social Care Services following the Victoria Climbie inquiry.

As part of the revised guidance any local authority intending to combine the DCS responsibilities with any other accountability is strongly advised to carry out an assurance process to ensure that the statutory accountabilities vested in the post are appropriately identified and discharged within the structure and line management arrangements. Given the proposals to create a ‘People and Communities’ Department it is envisaged that such an assurance process will be put in place for completion by late June 2012.

He added that the Chief Executive had asked him to establish an Assurance Process and liaise with the Head of Human Resources to advise the process and ensure robustness. In addition he said that he will request the Independent Chair of the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) to test the process and report directly to the Chief Executive.

The finalised template and outcome of the process will be shared with the Panel as its September meeting.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked what assurances he could give that all Academies will maintain the same safeguarding standards that have previously been in place.

The People and Communities Strategic Director replied that all Academies are bound by the same Local Authority safeguarding regulations.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked if a substantial rise in exclusions had occurred within schools since they had chosen to become Academies.

The People and Communities Strategic Director replied that B&NES had not experienced as much of an increase in exclusions as other authorities may have. He added that some Academies had excluded pupils and then reversed the decision through Council intervention.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked if Academies would still be a part of the Managed Move system.

The People and Communities Strategic Director replied that all Academies were being encouraged to retain their involvement.

Councillor David Veale asked if the Council had a good relationship with its Academies.

The People and Communities Strategic Director replied that the Council maintained a strong relationship with the majority of its Academies, however this was not universal.

Councillor Ian Gilchrist asked for clarification on the role of the Lead Member for Children’s Services and their statutory duties.

The People and Communities Strategic Director replied that the role of the Lead Member for Children’s Services was still held by Councillor Nathan Hartley.

Councillor Dine Romero asked if the statutory functions within the Children’s Services department were being adequately funded.

The People and Communities Strategic Director replied that the Council has been very helpful in recent years by increasing the budget for children in care. He added that some additional Social Work capacity would be required in the future.

The Chairman on behalf of the Panel thanked him for his report and welcomed the update that would take place at the Panel meeting in September.