Issue - meetings

To submit a report by the Head of Children’s Services.

It was resolved to confirm that the Executive is satisfied with the steps and pace undertaken by Children’s Services in relation to the progress made in implementing the Service Improvement Plan.

The report of the Interim Head of Children’s Services which provided an update on the implementation of the Children’s Services Service Improvement Plan was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

The Chair and Portfolio Member for Social Services reported that the Service re-structure has been implemented leading to smaller practice groups each headed by a Practice Leader thereby facilitating access to managerial advice, support and guidance. The Resilient Families Team is now fully staffed and in place and is currently working with 8 families to prevent family breakdown and to support children living at home. Recruitment is progressing with the Service Manager for Early Intervention and Prevention and the Practice Leaders having commenced in post since late summer/ early autumn. Seven new social workers have also been recruited.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Governance and Business Process Transformation/Statutory Director of Social Services) said that the improvement process is on course; the current focus of activities remains on improving social work practice as the key element in improving services for families and their children as well as overall cost-effectiveness. Whilst the report reflects the position as at October, 2017 the attached Improvement Plan tracks progress up to August, 2017; this will updated accordingly and the updated version will be presented to Scrutiny and to the Executive. A progress report has also been prepared for CSSIW one year on from the original inspection; this will be considered by the Children’s Services Improvement Panel with an update to be provided to Scrutiny and to the Executive in the New Year.

Councillor Aled Morris Jones, Chair of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee reported back from the Committee’s 13 November meeting. He confirmed that whilst the Committee noted that there continue to be vacant posts within the service as highlighted by the Children’s Services Improvement Panel, it was satisfied with the pace and progress of improvement. The Committee had also suggested that a more proactive approach to recruitment going out directly to schools and universities could yield results. Councillor Aled Morris Jones said that he wished to acknowledge the vision and hard work which had brought the service thus far.

It was resolved to confirm that the Executive is satisfied with the steps and pace undertaken by Children’s Services in relation to the progress made in implementing the Service Improvement Plan.