Decision details

The Committee considered a report which proposed new arrangements for councillor visits to frontline children’s social care services which would help strengthen councillor oversight of the impact of services on children’s outcomes.

The report also provided the themes raised through the previous councillor frontline visits undertaken between 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.

A report would come back to committee to share findings and how those would be implemented into the Improvement Plan.

In response to a request for information around the DSG funding and what it was spent on to be included as part of the programme the Chair noted that a specific in-depth session would be beneficial for some members to look at that as a separate area as outside of the scope of front-line visits.  The Chair agreed to take this forward.

In response to a question raised in respect of ensuring councillors were able to attend visits officers reported that they would work with each councillor around availability and would circulate to all councillors to ensure cover for any cancelled sessions. Councillor Bennett Wake also agreed to take on the additional visit to ensure the schedule could be delivered.

The Committee thanked officers for the comprehensive report.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the Children and Families Committee

1. Approve the arrangements for councillor frontline visits as outlined in the report.