Issue - meetings

To receive an update on progress on the recommendations from the Ofsted Inspection of Local Authority Children’s Services (ILACS) in November 2019.

The committee received the report which provided an update on progress on the recommendations from the Ofsted Inspection of Local Authority Children’s Services (ILACS) in November 2019.

It was noted that there was a typographical error in section 6.3 of the report and that the correct date was July 2023.

Concerns were raised about staffing levels, caseloads and cuts to Early Help. Officers advised committee that while social worker vacancies were still being carried, it was an improving picture and average caseloads had continued to reduce since September. Assurances were given that cuts in Early Help were about remodelling, upskilling, and looking at where existing skills are and that there was a focus on ensuring recruitment and retainment.

The committee thanked officers for the transparency of the report.

RESOLVED (by majority):

That the Children and Families Committee:

1.    Receive the update on the progress to date against the recommendations, and the impact for children and young people, recognising the areas for continued development as well as progress made.

2.    Approve the proposal to undertake a review and refresh of the ILAC improvement plan. The decision to replace the existing plan with a broader more ambitious plan reflecting the improvement journey to date, the impact and learning achieved from the and the collective thinking of the senior leadership team, with support from the DfE improvement advisor.

3.    Agree that the plan be presented to the committee in July 2023 in order to provide an opportunity for scrutiny against outcomes for children and young people and reviewed at 6 monthly intervals.