Agenda item

The Committee received a report of the Chief Executive which provided details of progress towards achieving the strategic ambitions and objectives set out in The 2024-28 Council Plan (for copy see file of minutes).

Stephen Tracey, Corporate Performance Manager outlined the performance up to 30 June against the priorities set out in the Council Plan 2024-28. He updated members on the changing complexity that had impacted on higher numbers of children requiring care. There was on-going work to provide cost effective homes for children and expanding work with children at risk of coming into care. There had been progress and reductions in the overall numbers of children coming in to care however, the final forecast was not reflecting this reduction as the cost of complex care was included in the forecast.

Councillor S Deinali left the meeting

Though recruiting experienced social workers remains challenging for the first time in 2 years our social worker vacancy rate had reduced, and our Independent Reviewing Officer team was fully staffed. They had seen positive signs since the pandemic of attracting Educational Phycologists through national and overseas recruitment however we would not see an immediate impact of this work as it was slow process.

Councillor R Crute referred to the other items members had received at the meeting and the pressures placed on DCC.  He suggested that the committee should receive an update on SEND Inspection Action Plan once it was agreed by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission, he added that the committee should also receive an update on the SEND Speech and Language Strategy too.

The Chair noted that this would be investigated.

The Corporate Performance Manager responded to questions from elected members stating that Social Worker caseloads were being actively managed with the support of Assessed and Supported Year in Employment social workers (ASYE) who had been placed in areas with the highest caseloads. Retention of experienced staff and retaining ASYEs into employment with The Council was harder in a competitive market especially when we are competing against recruitment agencies who can link to higher pay rates. There was no Government legislation to cap agency pay to Social Workers and Educational Phycologists. The salary was enhanced in 2021 under the retention strategy but this uplift was not applied to all areas of Children & Young People’s service just the areas experiencing recruitment challenges.

Councillor J Clark Left the meeting

Resolved: The Children and Young People's Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted the contents of the report.