Issue - meetings

B&NES had a full Ofsted Inspection in 2017 under the Single Inspection Framework (SIF). Ofsted accessed B&NES to be GOOD overall, with some areas for further improvement. The aim of this paper is to provide the Panel with assurance that areas for further improvement have been fully considered, that changes have been made and as a result, standards have been retained or improved.

The Director of Children & Young People introduced this report to the Panel. She explained that B&NES had a full Ofsted Inspection in 2017 under the Single Inspection Framework (SIF) and that Ofsted assessed B&NES to be GOOD overall, with some areas for further improvement. She added that the report details our improvement journey to date since 2017, ensuring that a consistently high-quality service is provided to keep vulnerable children and their families safe and supported in B&NES.

She highlighted to the Panel the recommendations from 2017 Single Inspection Framework and the areas for improvement as described in the  Ofsted Focused Visit for Care Leavers in November 2019.

She stated that in relation to the recommendations and areas for improvement, the service had recently revised the Quality Assurance Framework setting out our values, standards and the range of assurance activity; providing a structure and further supporting the work of the Service Improvement Board (SIB). 

She informed the Panel that a new moderating process for audit activity was introduced which was aimed at supporting a consistent application of Ofsted gradings in service audits, whilst also raising the quality standard of auditing from which to draw learning. All managers, Heads of Service, the Director, Principle Social Worker and some IRO’s carry out bi-monthly audits around agreed areas of practice and findings are disseminated across the service and taken to the Service Improvement Board.

She explained that a review of the front door system post inspection was undertaken that informed changes, processes and functionality. She added that this is now being further improved with the help of an internal cross-council Improving How We Work Project that is working with the Service to streamline and support better access to the right level of support at the right time more easily for individuals and professionals alike. 

She said that the Ofsted Focused Visit for Care Leavers in 2019 validated progress in several areas for our Care Leavers since the SIF inspection 2017.  Inspectors noted that the quality and timeliness of visiting and intervention had improved, keeping in touch arrangements are successful and the introduction of a dedicated Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking (UASC) worker was also recognised as a great resource by inspectors with exciting possibilities ahead for this aspect of the service.

She stated that the Virtual School had worked tremendously hard to reduce the number of fixed term exclusions for Children in Care and that this number has reduced but remains an ongoing area of focus for the team. 

She informed the Panel that Children’s Social Care have a successful ASYE programme for newly qualified social workers and a good retainment rate on completion of this programme, although across the service generally, recruitment remains a challenge. She added that it is hoped that the re-design will not only support better outcomes for children and their families but will also be more effective at supporting staff satisfaction and wellbeing impacting on staff retainment.

She said that colleagues in the Commissioning Service are also driving  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9