Issue - meetings

This report outlines the findings from the Ofsted ILAC Inspection of Children’s Services in February 2022.

The Director of Children’s Services & Education introduced this report to the Panel. She said that she was pleased to have received such a positive report and thanked all officers within Children’s Services for their work.

Councillor Liz Hardman gave her congratulations to the Children’s Services officers and management in receiving a really excellent report. She stated that all areas are judged to be good with recommendations on three areas of our practice. She added however that the report states that to carry out the recommendations of the OFSTED report, and our new statutory duties from April 2022, substantial financial investment and increased capacity within the team will be required. She asked what plans are being made to ensure that this financial investment is made and that capacity is increased.

The Assistant Director for Children and Young People replied that Children’s Services have considered the recommendations in the Ofsted ILAC Report and that the Service has taken some immediate actions following the Ofsted Inspection and the Deputy Team Manager is acting up in a Team Manager capacity.

She added that the Service Improvement Board will oversee all of the recommendations and we will review the team to consider what additional capacity is required to accommodate our post 21 offer and this will be worked through in our ongoing finance planning.

The Chair on behalf of the Panel wished to commend all staff for their work.

The Panel RESOLVED to;

i)  Recognise the improvements made within Children’s Social Care as outlined within the Inspection report.

ii)  Acknowledge the recommendations made within the Ofsted report and work collaboratively with Children’s Services to address the recommendations identified.

iii)  Agree the proposal for overseeing ongoing progress within Children’s

Services.