Agenda item

UPDATE FROM THE CHILDREN'S SOCIAL CARE SERVICES IMPROVEMENT GOVERNANCE BOARD

Minutes:

The update concerning the Children’s Social Care Services Improvement Governance Board was provided by the Council Leader, Councillor Stephen Carr.

 

The Board had been established immediately subsequent to the findings of the Ofsted report into Children’s Services. The Board consisted of Members, Senior Officers, and representatives from the police, BSCB, the CCG and a Schools Representative. The Board had met on a regular basis since its formation.

 

The Ofsted report had resulted in 22 recommendations. The Governance Board had drafted Terms of Reference and an Action Plan to ensure that all of the recommendations would be implemented. The Improvement Plan had been given high priority and so multiple drafts had been produced before the plan was finalised. The Action Plan was extended to cover the whole of Children’s Services, and not just the areas highlighted by Ofsted. It was noted that there were two work streams identified by Ofsted as being good. The Board had initially met weekly, and this was subsequently changed to fortnightly meetings.

 

Members heard that the Action Plan had been scrutinised by the Care Services PDS Committee and the Executive & Resources PDS Committee before being approved by Executive. The Improvement Plan also went to Full Council for final approval and sign off. The Independent Commissioner for Children’s Services had submitted her recommendations to the Minister, and LBB were awaiting a response. Additionally, a new Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Education, Care and Health had been appointed.

 

The Leader felt strongly that the Governance Board should have an Independent Chairman and it was the case that a suitable candidate was being sought. The HWB would be informed of developments going forward. Improvements had been made to quality assurance, staff caseloads, improving staff numbers, and also with making improvements to the Court Team. It was also the case that more appropriate housing would need to be provided for those leaving care. The Leader stated that he welcomed scrutiny from partner organisations and scrutiny committees.

 

Cllr Ruth Bennett asked when the Commissioner’s report to the Secretary of State would be published. It was responded that the report would be due sometime in October. It was noted that the Commissioner had been supportive, helpful, and that LBB were not expecting any surprises in the report; it was still the case however that LBB were unsure of what the final recommendations would be. Cllr Robert Evans commented that it would be the Minister who would make the final decisions.

 

Colin Maclean referenced the Borough Officers Strategic Partnership Forum which was chaired by the Leader and which discussed the new Building a Better Bromley vision and collaborative working; this meeting had been held the day prior to the HWB meeting. The membership of the Partnership Forum comprised the Leader, LBB Directors, Chief Officers from the MPS, LFB, CCG, DWP, Community Links and London South East Colleges. The Forum met to ensure that statutory requirements were being fulfilled, which included the proper functioning of Children’s Services.

 

The Independent Chair of the Bromley Safeguarding Children’s Board (BSCB) stated that they also had to develop an Action Plan and had significant ongoing work to do after Ofsted had stated that the BSCB required improvement. The BSCB Development Day this year (25th October 2016) would be used to look at how the BSCB could improve outcomes and be more effective in the future. As part of this, an Improvement Plan for the Board had been developed and BSCB had secured the support of Rory McCallum, the Professional Advisor to the Chair of the City and Hackney Safeguarding Children's Board as the facilitator for the Development Day.

 

Dr Bhan stated the CCG had been pleased with the responses to the Ofsted report, and with being part of the solution. On the positive side, an opportunity had arisen for various organisations to revise systems. The CCG were in the process of organising a mock CQC inspection of themselves and their partners. 

 

Post meeting note:

 

The Statutory Direction issued to LBB from the Department for Education was published on the DFE and Bromley Council websites on 10th October 2016.