Issue - meetings

This report presents the ILACS Inspection Report findings to the Panel.

The Director of Children’s Services, Service Development Manager and Interim Assistant Director presented the report to the Panel and highlighted the following areas.

• The local authority received ‘Good’ in all areas, including the new judgment for care leavers.
• Strengths included timely support, trauma-informed practice, innovative fostering, strong participation, early establishment of family networks and working with children with disabilities.
• Areas for development: Return home interviews for missing children, clarity of the local offer for care leavers over 21, and management oversight documentation. It was acknowledged that the service were already aware of these matters.
• Officers confirmed that an improvement plan would be submitted by 21^st November, with an interim visit within 18 months and a future inspection expected in three years’ time.

Councillor Liz Hardman congratulated the team and said she was pleased to see that no major weaknesses had been identified. She added that she welcomed the honesty of the tone of the cover report.

The Director of Children’s Services said that the judgement really was a team effort and that they wanted to be honest about intending to improve services.

Councillor Hardman asked if any comment could be given regarding the finding that the protocol for assessing homeless 16- and 17-year-olds was out of date.

The Interim Assistant Director replied that it was possible that the inspection team had viewed an outdated policy. She added that they have confirmed that the correct one is in place.

Councillor Hardman commented that some people over the age of 21 could still benefit from having access to work with a Personal Assistant.

The Director of Children’s Services replied that the statutory duty to provide a Personal Assistant stops once a person reaches the age of 22. She added that if there is a wish to continue to do so then a further discussion can take place.

Councillor Hardman asked if the outcomes of the Being our BEST programme would have an impact on the Council’s Social Workers.

The Director of Children’s Services replied that she did not expect it to and that it was good to have dedicated officers in place across the service. She added that they are looking to use AI where possible to assist officers and gave the example of Magic Notes that is being used to reduce some administrative work by producing notes via speech.

Councillor Paul Crossley referred to one of the slides shown and the wording ‘Most children live in safe and suitable homes’ and asked if any specific figures could be given and how this number could be raised towards 100%.

The Director of Children’s Services replied that there are currently 116 children that are subject to a Child Protection Plan because we have assessed that the risk to them is higher than we would want it to be, but we believe that support can be provided to them to enable them to remain living at home.

She added that approximately 600 young people are also subject to a Child in Need  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47