The Director for Children’s Services presented this report which provided an overview of the progress which had been made following the Ofsted inspection of Children’s Services. The findings of the inspection report rated the impact of leadership on social work practice as ‘good’ and the experience and progress of children in need of help and protection, and children in care, as ‘requires improvement’. The report outlined 5 key areas for improvement which formed the basis of Wirral’s Ofsted Improvement Plan with specific, measurable and realistic actions which were to provide the direction and focus for the following year. The report also outlined the governance framework which ensured that progress could be monitored, and relevant officers held to account for the delivery of the Plan.

The key areas and actions were detailed as:

1.  The Assessment and planning:

·  Stockport Council had been engaged in undertaking full review of Supporting Families, Enhancing Futures (SFEF), supported by DfE guidance

·  Practice Observations policy and procedure had been implemented as part of launch of new Practice Improvement Team

·  Review of SFEF training initiated

2.  Transitions:

·  Review of assessment procedures and pathways had been initiated with adult services to ensure that assessments are robust

3.  Emotional health and wellbeing:

·  Good progress of re-commissioning of contract to support emotional health and wellbeing of CLA

·  Project to explore ‘our space’ hub for care leavers supported and initiated

4.  Education:

·  Launch of attendance campaign at beginning of November

·  Improved ‘live’ data of CLA in education

5.  Life story work:

·  Project exploring digital life story work initiated

·  Life story practice champions appointed

In addition to the Ofsted Improvement Plan, a wider Social Care Improvement Plan was under development to capture the wider areas for development within the Inspection report.

Members questions about aspects of the report were answered appropriately including:

·  The reduction in children in need due to a better service from the family matters service

·  There was a need for additional resource to reduce the time for mental health visits.

Resolved - that

(1)  the progress made in continuing with improvement following the Ofsted inspection in June be noted; and,

(2)  the actions outlined within the Ofsted Improvement Plan against the 5 specific recommendations highlighted within the inspection report be endorsed.