Agenda item

The People and Communities Directorate would like to set out for the Panel the work of the Local Safeguarding Childrens Board during 2014-2015 and the priorities for 2015-16 work programme along with further areas to be actioned during 2016 - 18.

Reg Pengelly, the Independent Chair of the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board introduced this report to the Panel. He explained that the Board is a multi-agency body that monitors and co-ordinates the safeguarding and welfare of children. He said that there are also a series of sub-groups that undertake separate work outside the main body of the Board.

He said that the Board’s quarterly meetings had been reorganised this year so that each meeting had a lead theme.

He stated that Private Fostering had been an area which the LSCB had sought to highlight and develop in 2014 - 15. He said that new guidance and advertising materials had been produced for distribution to key establishments such as GP surgeries and nurseries. He added that during this year the Strategic Director for People and Communities had also written to all independent and Language Schools in the area to remind them of their responsibilities to self-report any arrangements that might constitute Private Fostering with ‘host’ families.

He spoke of how this year has seen the implementation of the Care Act 2014. He said that the Act principally improves things for adults but it includes improvements for children, especially those with special educational needs and disability. In particular, the Care Act places the Safeguarding Adults Board on a similar statutory footing to the LSCB. He informed the Panel that he was also now the Chair of the LSAB.

We believe that this legislative alignment now presents a unique opportunity to explore closer collaboration between both Boards. To that end we have held a joint Development Day and are now planning to implement some exciting new approaches. Closer collaboration across both Boards should at least strengthen the “Think Family” ethos in which professionals consider the wider implications of an individuals needs in the context of risk implications for other members of their family.

He stated that he planned to visit all member agencies within the next 12 months to discuss further their role within the Board.

He emphasised that early intervention is paramount and said that the impact of preventative work is already being seen and must be maintained.

He informed the Panel that the Board had carried out a Schools Safeguarding Audit in October 2014. Early analysis of the self-assessments indicated that most schools are compliant with safeguarding requirements as detailed in Keeping Children Safe in Education (April 2014). However it is important that schools continue to prioritise early interventions, follow through with the CAF process, make referrals to the Council and prioritise multi-agency training for staff.

He said that the Board were looking to increase the involvement of children & young people within its work.

The Chair commented that she welcomed the report and its focus on good governance. She did however feel that it lacked in stating any milestones or outcomes that it wished to achieve, she also felt the structure was not accessible. She asked if the agencies involved sent a high level representative.

Reg Pengelly replied that a senior level representative is required to attend meetings of the Board.

Councillor Matt Cochrane asked if the lack of primary and secondary head teachers attending the LSCB was a temporary issue or something that the Panel could help encourage.

Reg Pengelly replied that the LSCB had recently recruited both a primary and secondary head teacher to join the LSCB and they attended the June 2015 meeting.

Chris Batten asked if any further comment could be made regarding the rise in Looked After Children as stated on page 13 of the report.

The Divisional Director for Children & Young People, Specialist Services replied that a peak can now be seen for young people aged 14 – 16. He added that in some cases this had led to early adoption of children.

The Chair said that she welcomed the early interventions focus and asked how first referrals were made.

The Divisional Director for Children & Young People, Specialist Services replied that the primary source of referrals was via the Common Assessment Framework (CAF). He added that last year around 500 CAFs were completed with only 8 – 10% of those turning into referrals. He said that most were resolved through early intervention.

Reg Pengelly said that with regard to the report structure that Ofsted are quite constrictive over this. He added that the intention would be to make subsequent reports have more of a focus on what was new and the difference that had been made, but that the level of detail in the report set the legal and local context.

The Chair said that she welcomed the fact that Mr Pengelly was now the Chair of both the LSCB and LSAB. She asked how many children were living with carers who have mental health needs.

The Divisional Director for Children & Young People, Specialist Services replied that he believed through data from the JSNA there were around 500 families identified with mental health needs, domestic violence or substance abuse.

Reg Pengelly added that a serious case review had not been required in the past three years.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked what financial assurances were there that the Board could continue to carry out its work.

Reg Pengelly replied that there was an historical under spend within the Board.

The Head of Safeguarding and Quality Assurance added that the risk register that is about to be developed will look at the financial arrangements of the Board.

The Chair asked if profile data was available.

The Divisional Director for Children & Young People, Specialist Services replied that it is available and has been shared at previous meetings. He added that CSE is at the centre of the majority of our work.

The Chair asked if the Board were satisfied that enough support was available to victims of CSE.

The Divisional Director for Children & Young People, Specialist Services replied that it was and added that the Council has signed up to a Barnados project for counselling and support.

The Chair asked if the Board were aware of the IRO concerns with regard to care planning arrangements.

Reg Pengelly replied that they were aware.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked if the Panel could see the results of the schools audit that was carried out by the Board.

Reg Pengelly replied that he would be happy to share that information with the Panel.

The Chair asked if any bodies were not taking up the offer of training and development.

Reg Pengelly replied that a Section 11 Audit has taken place and that there is a national framework for achieving the correct training. He added that the Board do monitor and challenge how training is delivered. He said that the Board also actively learn from Serious Case Reviews when they take place across the country.

The Chair asked if the work of the Policy, Procedure and Performance sub-group (PPPG) has had a positive impact on the Board.

The Divisional Director for Children & Young People, Specialist Services replied that the sub-group has further developed data and performance reporting and scrutiny, to support the identification of children and young people who may be at risk of specific harm and evidenced the LSCB’s impact and pro-activity.

The Head of Safeguarding and Quality Assurance added that multi-agency audits take place to analyse procedures and that the board are looking to gain further feedback on this in the future.

The Chair asked how the Council tracks families that we have concerns about.

The Divisional Director for Children & Young People, Specialist Services replied that families are not obliged to notify us if they move authorities. He added that this is one area where early help work should be advocated.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked how we monitor children who are placed ‘At Distance’.

The Divisional Director for Children & Young People, Specialist Services replied that some children are placed in special residential schools and some with relatives who live outside the area.

Councillor Alison Millar asked if B&NES remained responsible for those children.

The Divisional Director for Children & Young People, Specialist Services replied that they do until any court proceedings are complete. He added that keeping the same social worker was key in these cases in spite of some of the distances.

The Chair asked if any further information could be given as to why just under 25% of case conferences were not convened in accordance with the procedures.

The Divisional Director for Children & Young People, Specialist Services replied that this can be due to school holidays and a judgement is required on what information is available. He added that in most cases officers would want to share their report with the family before a conference took place.

The Head of Safeguarding and Quality Assurance added that if there are any delay to a conference that work with the family would remain ongoing, families are not left unsupported.

Councillor Liz Hardman commented that she was pleased to see that the Board was monitoring the outcomes for Looked After Children as she was concerned over their potential to enter the justice system. She added that she had read recently that 61% of girls that had entered the justice system had been in care.

Councillor Alison Millar asked what constitutes a private fostering arrangement.

Reg Pengelly replied that this is when a child is being looked after by somebody outside of the family. He added that should this arrangement last longer than 28 days then it must be registered with the Council. He said that knowledge about the duty to register was not widely known.

The Divisional Director for Children & Young People, Specialist Services added that leaflets have been issued to schools, nurseries etc. on this matter and an article was within this month’s Council Connect magazine.

The Chair concluded the debate by commending the work of the LSCB and thanking Reg Pengelly for attending the meeting.