The Director of Children’s Services introduced her report that would provide an update on the progress made in implementing the 20 key recommendations from the Safeguarding Scrutiny Review that the Families and Well-Being Scrutiny Committee had undertaken in December 2015. The report provided an opportunity to cross reference and ensure that any outstanding areas would be incorporated into the Ofsted Safeguarding Improvement Plan to ensure there was no duplication or omission with regard to priorities and reporting.

The Committee noted that the findings of the report were crucial to the delivery of the Children and Young People 20/20 pledges.

The report informed that since the Ofsted inspection of local authority services for children in need of help and protection, children looked after and care leavers and review of the Local Safeguarding Children Board in July 2016, there had been a significant investment and activity with regard to the Safeguarding Improvement Journey. This had included the establishment of an Improvement Board (including an independent chair), the production of a high level Improvement Plan (see minute 5 above), a renewed Local Safeguarding Children’s Board and a DfE Review of progress to date.

A Member requested that the Reality Check visits (Recommendation 16 – December 2015) referred to in the report be extended to include partner organisations e.g. practitioners, police, etc. The Director of Children’s Services stated that the request for wider engagement would be explored.

In response to a question from a Member regarding the recruitment and retention of social workers, the Director of Children’s Services informed that a review was currently underway and included a ‘whole series of initiatives’, looking not only at remuneration but training, communication, office accommodation and locations.

The Chair referenced that, in respect of the Director’s comment regarding training, that no follow up note to the multi-agency development day planned for September 2016 had been made.

Members noted the issues affecting recruitment of Social Workers, and ‘reality check’ actions being undertaken by senior Officers to experience and understand the Social Worker role by co-locating in district offices and access to the information systems used by staff. 

Resolved – That

(1)  endorse the progress made against the 20 Safeguarding Scrutiny Review recommendations be endorsed;  

(2)  key areas of focus regarding the safeguarding of children and young people, as identified in the report produced by the Families and Well-Being Scrutiny Committee are cross referenced and captured in the Ofsted Improvement Plan be agreed; and

(3)  Further training relating to the Committee’s remit be provided for members.