Issue - meetings

Report CEF23028A

The report presented a regular update on the performance of services for children across a suite of performance measures.

With regard to Indicator 26: Average Caseloads, the Chairman observed that average caseloads within the Safeguarding and Care Planning Teams had reduced to 18 but had still not met the caseload promise.  The Director of Children, Education and Families confirmed that work was ongoing to reduce average caseloads to 12-15 cases.  Twelve social workers had recently been recruited from Zimbabwe and South Africa and five further applicants would be interviewed during June 2023.  In response to a question from a Member in relation to Indicator 12: Children that have become the subject of a Child Protection Plan for the Second or Subsequent Time, the Assistant Director: Strategy, Performance and Corporate Transformation advised that whilst it was important to monitor recurrence, this indicator also provided a level of assurance as it demonstrated that children at risk of significant harm were being identified and that necessary actions were being taken to keep them safe. 

In considering Performance Indicator 32/33, the Vice-Chairman observed that the number of Education, Health and Care Plans issued varied from month to month with only a small proportion completed within the statutory 20-week timescale.  The Director of Education explained that this was primarily due to delays in receiving professional advice across some specialist areas, and that improving performance in this area remained a top priority with additional provision being commissioned to build capacity in key specialist areas.  The Vice-Chairman requested that a breakdown of the number of Education, Health and Care Plans issued on a monthly basis be included in future Part 2 (Exempt) performance reporting and this was agreed by the Committee.

RESOLVED: That the March 2023 outturn of key performance indicators and associated management commentary be noted.