Agenda item

Quality Assurance Framework for Children & Social Care

This report along with the others presented to the Panel sets out the mechanisms we have in place to assure the continued improvements take place.

Minutes:

The Director for Safeguarding and Quality Assurance introduced this report. She explained that whilst the Council’s Children’s Services were reassured by its rating of ‘GOOD’ from OfSTED following the thorough inspection in 2017 it is important to note that we continue to strive to improve services for children and young people in B&NES.

 

She informed the Panel that the Safeguarding and Quality Assurance team within the Council work across children and adult services and that a significant focus of the team’s work is to ensure that children who transition into adult services and children whose parents are supported by adult services work together effectively and that all services ‘Think Family.’

 

She stated that the Service Improvement Framework sets out the assurance arrangements which enable the Council to demonstrate that Children Social Care Services are meeting its vision and plans for children and young people. The Framework therefore enables the Members to be satisfied about the evidence the Council has to demonstrate this.

 

She said that the Framework also refers to the LSCB Board Assurance Framework as this looks at assurance for the ‘whole’ support system for children and families of which the Council Services are key but only one part. She added that by including this Council Services are able to better understand and respond to pressures / practice improvements across other Services and how these impact.

 

Councillor Liz Hardman commented that the report and plan were very thorough. She asked what action was being taken to respond to the rising number of fixed-term exclusions for looked after children so that they are reduced effectively.

 

The Director for Safeguarding and Quality Assurance replied that reducing exclusions of children in care is a key priority within the Virtual School Improvement Plan. She added that the Head of the Virtual School has developed a flow chart that will be presented to the School Standards Board in September. She added that all exclusions within this remit are now being challenged.

 

Councillor Hardman asked for further information on the ‘Mystery shopping’ mentioned within the Framework.

 

The Director for Safeguarding and Quality Assurance replied that the LSCB/LSAB Business Support Manager undertakes this to work ascertain whether partner agencies understand the policies in place.

 

The LSCB/LSAB Business Support Manager added that agencies are selected to be contacted by phone and are asked if they are aware of the work of the Board, its policies, whether they have any of their own and what they would do if they were made aware of a child in need. She said that she informs them of her role at the start of the conversation.

 

Councillor Peter Turner asked if the Framework was mirrored across all Local Authorities.

 

The Director for Safeguarding and Quality Assurance replied that all Local Authorities would have their own Quality Assurance mechanisms they will be broadly similar but will vary depending on their local priorities.

 

Kevin Burnett asked for clarification regarding the third bullet point within the ‘Five Outcomes’ and requested the Board consider strengthening this.

 

·  LSCB is assured that safeguarding is embedded; is delivered to a high standard and is effective across all partner agencies

 

The Director for Safeguarding and Quality Assurance replied that the Board could reflect on the wording at its next Board meeting. She added that she wished to assure the Panel that the Board understands the importance of the agencies effectively working together.

 

The Panel RESOLVED to:

 

i)  Note and support the content of the report and the attached Service Improvement Framework.

ii)  Bring an annual update report on the work undertaken by the Children Services Improvement Board.

 

 

Supporting documents: