Agenda item

The Committee considered the report of the Interim Corporate Director of Children and Young People’s Services that provided an update on the local regional and national developments in relation to Children’s Services. The report also provided an update on progress following the outcome of the Ofsted Inspection of Children’s Services in February 2016; the pressures facing the Service; workforce initiatives and strategic programmes aimed at reducing these pressures. Members were also provided with an update on the Stronger Families Programme; Child Sexual Exploitation and the work of the Local Safeguarding Children Board (for copy of report, see file of minutes).

A copy of the national policy context had been circulated with the agenda.

The Head of Children Services was in attendance to present the report.

The Head of Children’s Services advised that the number of cases per social worker had reduced with the majority now being under 20 which was a great improvement on last year although some pressures remained in some teams.  Durham’s Social Worker Academy had been successful in growing our own social workers as there was a national shortage which added to the difficulties in attracting social workers. Workforce development and apprenticeship programmes may enabled family workers to become social workers in the future.

Councillor Hart referred to the idea of apprenticeships for non-qualified staff a child worker not been present on the play bus at a location in his ward for some time but the driver had fulfilled this role in the absence of a child worker, which had been welcomed by the parents which had been more receptive to his advice.

The Head of Children’s Service explained to members the progress of the Ofsted Improvement Plan including the Political Oversight work with Corporate Parenting Panel. Members requested that they receive a summary of the lessons learned from Serious Case Reviews.

Councillor Gunn congratulated the Head of Children’s Services on the strategies and training to raise awareness of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE).

In response to a question from the Chair in as to whether CSE training would be given to new members following the elections the Head of Children’s Services agreed that this was the case.

Members discussed the typical stereotype CSE perpetrator which many offenders did not meet and that it was sometimes a young person of similar age and this message needed to be conveyed to young people.

Members also wished to convey their congratulations to West Rainton Children’s Home and the Supporting Young People with Cancer Caring Role Project on their LGA Children and Young People’s NOW 2016 awards.

Mrs Swift referred to the report that indicated that the child sexual exploitation common age of victims was 12. She indicated that she worked at a primary school and they do a lot of work on child sexual exploitation but there was still a lot of work to be done.

The Head of Children Services indicated that they were developing a single portal where young people and parents could go for information and advice.

Councillor Nicholls referred to the Ofsted inspection and if Ofsted had been made aware of the progress that had been made. The Head of Children Services responded that Ofsted had approved the plan and would monitor in the usual way via an annual meeting.

The Chairman thanked the Head of Children Services for her attendance and very informative report.

Resolved: (i) That the report be noted.

(ii) That the Children and Young People’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee receive further updates in relation to Children and Young People’s Services on a six monthly basis.