Agenda item

Subsequent to the publication of the agenda papers, Ofsted had notified Slough Borough Council (SBC) as to the findings of its monitoring visit. This was released on 2^nd December 2016, and would be used in assessing the progress of the Joint Delivery Plan. In addition, the Joint Improvement Board would continue it work in ensuring that the Plan was on track to deliver the necessary work was on track.

In particular, Ofsted had noted that the correct areas were being prioritised. Ofsted would continue to visit Slough Children’s Services Trust (SCST), with 4 monitoring visits prior to a full 4 week inspection (due by June 2018). The next visit will focus on care leavers. SCST would also ensure that the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) will include education representatives.

The Panel raised the following points in discussion:

·  The letter was largely in line with expectations, therefore has not caused a significant reappraisal of current objectives. The permanence of the workforce and the culture shift towards performance management remain key areas.

·  The overall feedback from Ofsted was that the service was in the position it had hoped for by this stage.

·  Around 100 children had been taken off Child Protection Plans very quickly prior to the establishment of SCST. A similar figure had now been placed on Plans; some of these were the same as those removed (but not all). SCST was taking timely action on children subject to Plans. SCST was committed to ensuring that those on Plans were, on average, remaining on Plans for longer than had previously been the case prior to SCST’s arrival. Concerns should be raised by any cases where a child had been placed on a Plan twice within 2 years.

·  The number of Looked After Children (LACs) remained relatively stable at around 180 – 200.

·  An annual Complaints Report was compiled by SCST. This year, the number of complaints had risen; this was welcomed as a sign of openness on the part of service users. In particular, schools were reporting their concerns more regularly.

·  At present, the Joint Improvement Board had 18 members. It was acknowledged that this was a higher number than was optimal; the numbers would be reduced, but the range of organisations represented would be increased.

·  The last 2 meetings of the Joint Improvement Board had hosted practitioners. They had shared the issues raised by the work in areas such as child sexual exploitation and explored possible joint working arrangements. The forum also offered an opportunity for an open discussion on what was required by other organisations to bolster their work.

·  The areas which SCST had prioritised at the start of its tenure were the ‘front door’ service and the setting of appropriate thresholds in assessments. SCST had assessed that too many children were the subject of investigations initiated under Section 47 of the Children Act 1989. Ofsted had raised the possibility that SCST was now very strict in its criteria for undertaking such investigations; SCST was reappraising its policy based on this feedback. SCST was also committed to keeping more concise and clear records of assessments.

·  Adherence to the regulations for independent fostering agencies was currently being inspected; SCST was unaware of the final conclusions of this visit. In particular, SCST was committed to undertaking regular foster parent reviews.

Resolved:

1.  That the annual Complaints Report be circulated to members of the Panel.

2.  That the item on fostering and adoption be moved to 15^th March 2017.

3.  That an item on the Ofsted monitoring visit be taken on 19^th April 2017.