Issue - meetings

The Statutory Guidance concerning the duties of the Director of Children’s Services was revised in summer 2013.  The Guidance recommends that where the DCS role is combined with other duties a test of assurance is undertaken.  The purpose of the test is to provide assurance to the local authority that the statutory duties relating to Children’s Social Care and Education are effectively carried out and that sufficient organisational capacity is available to meet these duties properly. 

The Deputy Director for Children and Young People, Strategy and Commissioning introduced this item to the Panel. He explained that the Statutory Guidance concerning the duties of the Director of Children’s Services was revised in summer 2013 and the Guidance recommends that where the DCS role is combined with other duties a test of assurance is undertaken. 

The Test of Assurance was carried out by Bronwen Lacey a specialist consultant in Children’s Services and a former Director of Children’s Services for Plymouth Council.

He informed the Panel that the test of assurance reached the overall conclusion that our new structures, systems and lines of accountability are understood and allow the local authority to;

•  Fulfil our statutory duties

•  Be transparent about accountabilities and responsibilities

•  Support effective interagency and partnership working

Councillor Loraine Morgan-Brinkhurst commented that she was surprised that the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children & Youth were not mentioned as recipients of the final report.

The Deputy Director for Children and Young People, Strategy and Commissioning replied that the recipients listed were set down from statutory guidance.

The Panel RESOLVED to;

(i)  Note the Test of Assurance Report

(ii)  Request the Strategic Director of People and Communities to:

•  Refresh the Scheme of Delegation

•  Develop a Participation and Consultation Strategy

•  Develop a Single Commissioning Strategy

(iii)  Request a second Test of Assurance on partnership and governance arrangements to be completed by March 2015.