Agenda item

The Committee received a report of the Strategic Manager, Families First North, which provided Members with an overview of the work Child Social Care staff undertook when managing safeguarding concerns in Child Protection (for copies see file of minutes).

Councillor Charlton queried the capacity for staff over 14 teams with the referral rate.  The Strategic Manager, Families First North, confirmed that following a restructure in 2017, the teams were established according to locality teams which varied in size and were aligned to local networks such as police and health.  Areas where there was high demand would have more in the team than in areas where there was lower demand.  Teams range between six to seven social workers where demand is low to medium and nine to ten social workers where demand is high.  The skill mix of teams was also considered to ensure combinations are right.  The teams had also been allocated on the skills of staff, ensuring that all had experienced members of the team as well as NQSW.

In response to a question from Councillor Brookes regarding staff pressures and the potential link to sickness absence, the Strategic Manager, Families First North, confirmed that there was a reliance on Managers to have the skills to allocate work and monitor and review through one to one supervision.  In addition there was an opportunity for reflective practice sessions, where cases were presented and discussed for development.  A task and finish group had been set up to configure additional needs for the service but the emotive nature of the work and pressures with regards to workflow, did have an impact on practitioners.

Councillor Hopper advised that she had visited the MASH at Newton Aycliffe and it was interesting to see how partners based there worked together.  The Strategic Manger, Families First North, confirmed that the invitation for Members to visit was open.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.