Simone White, Director of Children, Families and Education introduced the report, which set out a revised performance monitoring and reporting framework for the Committee. The new approach had been designed in consultation with the Chair and Group Spokes, aiming to deliver an open, honest and transparent performance framework that would allow Committee Members to effectively challenge performance and support decision-making.

It was reported that the focus was on reporting performance information relating to child social care, but that there was a need to understand other parts of the system to ensure that members could have a wider oversight on all performance information affecting children and families. It was hoped that the new PowerBI technology would allow members to be able to look at the headlines at both Wirral and ward level, and then drill down into the underlying data. Therefore, the report was intended as an interim report to introduce the new system to members.

Members discussed a wide range of data including that relating to Independent Reviewing Officers Caseloads and Escalations alongside turnover of social service staff. Further information on national benchmarking of performance data and missing episodes were requested.

Resolved – That

1)  the report be noted and the work completed to date as well as the next steps involved in developing a robust performance monitoring framework that encompasses all aspects of Children’s Services be acknowledged.

2)  the proposed clusters of performance indicators in Appendix A be agreed.

3)  the delivery of Performance Management Workshops during the summer where elected Members would receive training on the Council’s business intelligence system including how to access and navigate around real-time data reports be agreed.

4)  the content of the databook in Appendix C be noted.