Agenda item

Section 11 audits were in place to ensure that local authorities were undertaking their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Compliance was judged on 8 national standards, with SBC reporting to the Pan Berkshire Local Safeguarding Children’s Board. The last such update was taken by the Berkshire-wide body in June 2018 and had led to several actions arising. These were tracked in Appendix A of the report, and the recent mid-term review on the progress of these actions had received positive feedback.

(At this point, Councillor Kelly entered the meeting)

In terms of senior management commitment, the Corporate Volunteer Policy had been approved by the Employment and Appeals Committee in October 2018. As a result, this aspect had a ‘green’ rating; however, the Agresso module supporting this was still being rolled out, leading to an ‘amber’ rating on embedding the policy. All aspects of the provision of a clear statement of SBC’s responsibility were rated ‘green’ as the statement had been agreed with Legal and Procurement, whilst a Deed of Variation had been agreed between SBC and the Slough Children’s Services Trust (SCST) and endorsed by the Department for Education (DfE).

(At this point, Councillor Brooker entered the meeting)

Clear lines of accountability within SBC had been established as part of the Corporate Volunteer Policy, leading to a ‘green’ rating. Similarly, the staged implementation of the Agresso module to support this led to an ‘amber’ rating on this aspect. Service delivery was being informed by the views of children and families given the Five Year Plan’s establishment of a ‘golden thread’ and the use of forums such as the Youth Parliament and Youth Inspectors to receive the voice of young people.

Staff training had been refreshed and received a ‘green’ rating (with the Agresso element again receiving an ‘amber’ rating), whilst the Safer Recruitment Policy (and related training) in place in schools was being drafted for SBC and was currently out to consultation. This meant that this element was rated as ‘amber’, whilst governance was fully in place and rated ‘green’. Inter-agency working was rated ‘green’ and thresholds had been revised, with the Early Help Model launched in June 2018 and applied across all agencies on 1^st December 2018. Training on information sharing had been put in place, leading to a ‘green’ rating although the Agresso implementation was ‘amber’.

The Panel raised the following points in discussion:

·  SBC operated its DBS checking policy in line with DfE guidelines. Whilst some Councillors (e.g. Cabinet Member for Children and Education) required such a check, this was not the case for all members. However, some members asked if the possibility of receiving casework involving children or vulnerable adults, this had safeguarding implications and the need for DBS checking. Furthermore, data management and training from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) may be needed in some areas. Officers agreed to circulate SBC’s criteria for DBS checks and ICO training for members.

·  Agresso was an issue that had led to 4 out of the 5 areas rated ‘amber’. The HR modules of the Agresso platform are being rolled out in stages rather than through immediate implementation across all areas. However, officers had been briefed on the Agresso systems to be put in place and seen a demonstration; the next phase of implementation would expand functionality significantly. The Service Lead for Human Resources was also on the Corporate Group overseeing the matter and was thus part of the design and implementation process.

Resolved:  That the Panel receive SBC’s policy in relation to DBS checks and ICO training.