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CHILDREN’S SERVICES AND CORPORATE PARENTING CABINET PANEL
7 NOVEMBER 2007
M I N U T E S
ATTENDANCE
MEMBERS OF THE PANEL
D E Billing, K J Coleman, P V Goggins, D W Hills, S Holmes, S E Jones, B J Lamb, A Lee, J M Pitman (Executive Member for Children’s Services), A M R Searing (Chairman)
Parent Governor/Church Representative
R Tucker
Non-Voting Member
D Williams
Upon consideration of the agenda for the Children’s Services and Corporate Parenting Cabinet Panel meeting on 7 November 2007 as circulated, copy annexed, conclusions were reached and are recorded below:
Note: No conflicts of interest were declared by any member of the Panel in relation to the matters on which conclusions were reached at this meeting except for the declaration made by D Williams (Item 9 refers).
PART 1
ACTION1. / MINUTES
1.1 / The minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 10 September 2007 were confirmed as a correct record subject to an amendment to minute 4.6 to read:
‘recommended that the service be encouraged to strongly consider setting up an adoption centre’.
1.2 / A briefing note was requested on the progress against actions arising from the last meeting (appended to these minutes). / Ann Domeney/Jonathan Fisher
2. / INTEGRATED YOUTH SUPPORT SERVICE – NEXT STEPS
[Officer Contact: Andrew Simmons, Chief Executive, Connexions
Tel: 01992 531960
Alan Dinning, Deputy Director, Integrated Children’s Services
Tel: 01992 588746]
2.1 / The Panel received a report which updated Members on the formal consultation with stakeholders on developing integrated youth support arrangements in Hertfordshire and which provided information on the next steps proposed in developing integrated youth support. The Panel was invited to note the recent developments and next steps in the establishment of an integrated Youth Support Service by April 2008, and to comment on the key issues identified in the consultation response.
2.2 / Andrew Simmons, Chief Executive of Connexions, presented the report and responded to Member questions.
2.3 / It was noted that the consultation response indicated support for the proposal outlined in the consultation document. In discussion Members raised the issue of resourcing, and in particular the provision for ongoing costs after transition. Andrew Simmons confirmed that there is no additional funding allocated within the budget, although opportunities for bidding for external funding have been identified. Members were advised that a bid had been submitted to DCSF for additional transition funding: this was endorsed by GO East in August, and awaits final approval from DCSF.
Conclusions:
The Panel:
2.4 / noted the report;
2.5 / congratulated Connexions Hertfordshire on the approval by GO East of the bid for additional transition funding.
3. / RECRUITMENT UPDATE FOR AREA SOCIAL CARE TEAMS
[Officer Contact: Paul Chamberlain, Business Partner, Human Resources
Tel: 01992 555692]
3.1 / The Panel received a report which provided an update on recruitment for area social work teams since the last report in March 2007. Paul Chamberlain, Business Partner (Human Resources) presented the report. Members heard that the vacancy position for Qualified Social Workers (QSW) is improving, and is forecast to improve further during November, December and January. Members also heard about ‘The Deal’ – a clear, one-page description of the employment deal for staff in the area teams.
3.2 / Members sought information on the support provided to social work assistants to become fully qualified if they wish, and were encouraged by the opportunities available as outlined by Paul Chamberlain. Members also sought confirmation that there are no unnecessary delays between social workers qualifying and taking up post, and were reassured by officers that this is not the case.
Conclusions:
The Panel:
3.3 / noted the report and congratulated officers on the improved position in respect of staffing levels of Qualified Social Workers;
3.4 / requested that information on retention of social workers be included within future updates; / Ann Domeney/ Paul Chamberlain to note
3.5 / requested that feedback from ‘The Deal’ be included in future update reports to the Panel. / Ann Domeney to note
4. / JOINT AREA REVIEW POST INSPECTION ACTION PLAN
[Officer Contact: Martin South, Head of Strategy Group
Tel: 01992 555792]
4.1 / The Panel received a report presenting the Joint Area Review Post Inspection Action Plan (PIAP), which had been approved by the Hertfordshire Children’s Trust Partnership Executive Group on 31 October 2007. Martin South, Head of Strategy Group, advised that the draft plan has now been submitted to all key partners; comments were sought from the panel ahead of its final approval by the Director of Children, Schools and Families and the Executive Member for Children’s Services.
4.2 / John Harris, Director of CSF, and Martin South updated the Panel on the progress on the action plan since the update provided at the last meeting. Members heard that the external consultants, Children First, have completed an evaluation and diagnostic review; Members received a copy of their findings and noted that the recommendations from Children First have now been incorporated into the PIAP. Members also noted the staged targets which have been set for evidence of improvement in practice.
4.3 / Members also received a copy of the draft outcomes of the Annual Performance Assessment for Children’s Services in Hertfordshire. John Harris advised Members of the implications of the outcomes for the County Council’s Comprehensive Performance Assessment for 2007.
Conclusions:
The Panel:
4.4 / noted the report, the progress against the Post-Inspection Action Plan and the outcomes of the Annual Performance Assessment;
4.5 / agreed to recommend to Cabinet that an additional investment of £372k in the current financial year be made available to accelerate improvements in performance in a number of the key performance indicators for safeguarding and looked after children. / Martin South
5. / ANALYSIS OF BVPI RESULTS FOR 2006/07
[Officer Contact: Martin South, Head of Strategy Group
Tel: 01992 555792]
5.1 / The Panel received a report which presented the 2006/07 BVPI results for Children’s Services, following a request by the Performance & Resources Panel that the indicators be referred to service panels for consideration.
5.2 / Martin South, Head of Strategy Group and Ann Domeney, Assistant Director (Social Care), responded to Members’ questions.
Conclusions:
The Panel:
5.3 / noted the performance indicators for Children’s Services;
5.4 / suggested that the 2005/06 and 2006/07 indicators for BVPI 49 (‘Children with 3+ placements’) which are shown as green should be red; / Peter Stanley
5.5 / requested that the Fostering Service Topic Group consider including scrutiny of the BVPI 161 indicator (‘Care leavers in education/training/employment’) within its scope. / David Moses/Tom Hawkyard to note
6. / INTEGRATED CHILDREN’S SYSTEM: PROGRESS ON IMPLEMENTATION
[Officer Contact: Rebecca Price, Head of Planning and Improvement
Tel: 01992 588746]
6.1 / The Panel received a report which updated Members on progress of the implementation of the Integrated Children’s System. Members heard in detail about what the ICS is, how it is being implemented, and how staff are being trained in the use of the software for the system. Rebecca Price, Head of Planning and Improvement, advised Members that the first training session in the new software had taken place that day with full attendance; details were provided of the support which will be available for staff following the training and the ways in which it will be ensured that staff complete their training. Members heard that the system is being implemented geographically in four stages, and work is on track for all areas to be completed in March 2008.
Conclusions:
6.4 / noted the progress on the implementation of ICS and endorsed the preparations being made to deliver a smooth transition to the new practice framework for children’s social care by March 2008.
7. / REVISED HERTFORDSHIRE CHILDREN’S TRUST PARTNERSHIP GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY ARRANGEMENTS
[Officer Contact: Andrew Wellington, Head of Children’s Trust Arrangements
Tel: 01992 555744]
7.1 / The Panel received a report which presented for comment the revised Hertfordshire Children’s Trust Partnership (HCTP) governance and accountability arrangements and the new District Children’s Trust Partnership (DCTP) governance and accountability framework.
7.2 / Alan Dinning, Deputy Director, Integrated Children’s Services, presented the report and responded to Members’ questions.
7.3 / Members raised questions as to how DCTP scrutiny arrangements will operate, and were advised that the DCTPs will have dual accountability: to the Director of CSF and the Executive Member for Children’s Services for county-wide delivery, and to the districts for delivery of the LSP. Those areas which fall within the County remit will be included within county scrutiny arrangements and those falling within the LSP will be scrutinised by the districts.
7.4 / In discussion of paragraph 5.4 of the report Members queried whether all HCTP Board meetings will be open to the public, or whether this will only apply when items relating to CAMHS are discussed. Ann Domeney undertook to clarify this with the HCTP in January. / Ann Domeney to report back to January meeting
Conclusions:
The Panel:
7.5 / noted the report.
8. / NUMBER OF TEENAGE PREGNANCIES AMONGST LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN
[Officer Contact: Christine Oker, Teenage Pregnancy Strategy Manager
Tel: 01992 588797]
8.1 / Following a request from the CSF Scrutiny Committee at its 13 June 2007 meeting at which the recommendations of the Teenage Pregnancy Topic Group had been presented, the Panel received a report which provided information on the number of teenage pregnancies amongst Looked After Children.
8.2 / Christine Oker, Teenage Pregnancy Strategy Manager, presented the report and responded to Member questions.
8.3 / Members were advised that data on teenage pregnancy amongst Looked After Children is not recorded or collected routinely at national, regional or local levels: the figures included within the report had been obtained from IRIS data, and should be treated cautiously. It was noted that this makes it difficult to determine how the county is performing in comparison with other authorities.
Conclusions:
The Panel:
8.4 / noted the report;
8.5 / agreed that consideration should be given to making sex and relationships education training mandatory for residential social workers and foster carers, as outlined in section 6.5 of the report; / Ann Domeney to note
8.6 / recommended that information on pregnancies should be sought as part of the reviewing process for Looked After Children, to ensure more accurate data on the numbers of teenage pregnancies amongst Looked After Children; / Ann Domeney
8.7 / suggested that the Fostering Service Topic Group could include a more detailed examination of teenage pregnancies amongst Looked After Children within its remit. / David Moses/Tom Hawkyard to note
9. / THE EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT OF CHILDREN IN CARE
[Officer Contact: Felicity Evans, Corporate Parenting Officer
Tel: 01992 555926]
9.1 / D Williams declared a personal interest in this item due to his wife’s responsibility for the education of Looked After Children within the county.
9.2 / The Panel received a report which presented Hertfordshire’s performance in the academic year 2006/07 in relation to the government’s targets to improve the educational attainment of children in care. Felicity Evans, Corporate Parenting Officer, presented the report and responded to Member questions.
9.3 / Members noted the continued improvement in academic achievement and the picture across all of the key stages, and were particularly encouraged by the numbers of children in care progressing to university. In response to Member questions Felicity Evans outlined the support available for children in care during their first year at university, and the options for those who want to undertake vocational training. Members also sought additional information on absences, and Felicity Evans undertook to provide this.
Conclusions:
The Panel:
9.4 / noted the report and congratulated Felicity Evans on the good results for 2006/07;
9.5 / requested a breakdown of absences from school for children in foster care compared to Looked After Children and those in kinship care. / Felicity Evans
10. / CSF NON-SCHOOLS SERVICE PROPERTY PRIORITIES
[Officer Contacts: Eileen Ziemer, Asset Manager (Strategy)
Tel: 07850 737359
Lindsay Martin, Director of BSF and Head of School Planning
Tel 01992 556718]
10.1 / The Panel received a report which provided an overview of the service direction and objectives and relevant property issues for CSF Non-Schools, together with a list of priority projects. Members were advised that the Performance & Resources Panel had requested that the Service Property Priorities be brought to service panels for review and comment in advance of their consideration by the Performance & Resources Panel in November 2007.
Conclusions:
The Panel:
10.2 / noted the report;
10.3 / considered that more detailed information on costings would be required before recommendations on the service’s property priorities could be made, and agreed to defer any recommendations on the Non-Schools SPPs to the Policy and Resources Cabinet Panel.
11. / DATE OF NEXT MEETING
[Officer Contact: Emma Lund, Democratic Services Officer
Tel: 01992 555563]
11.1 / Members were asked to note that dates of future meetings for all cabinet panels will be confirmed at the County Council meeting to be held on 20 November 2007. / All to note
Andrew Laycock
County Secretary
071107 CS & CP Panel Minutes
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