Agenda item

The Sub-Committee considered the Bromley Safeguarding Children Board Annual report 2016-17.  The Independent Chairman of the Bromley Safeguarding Children Board (BSCB), Mr Jim Gamble QPM, attended the meeting and presented the Bromley Safeguarding Children Board Annual report to the Sub-Committee.  Mr Gamble highlighted that the report covered 2016-2017 and therefore reflected the position at that time rather than the current position.  It was good for audit purposes that the Board and the Council reflected on previous years but it also important to acknowledge the progress that had been made in the intervening period.  In May 2016 the Ofsted Inspection had found that there had been a poor ratio of supervision and management oversight, high caseloads for Social Workers and a lack of investment in the Service.  Since that time the Service had moved on and the Service was now on a trajectory of real improvement.  Positive investment had been made by the Council’s Executive and there were clear results in  relation to the investment in leadership that the Council had made.  Spans of management oversight were now more manageable than they had been, staff reported that they now felt better managed and supported, and with the introduction of the Caseload Promise, caseloads were reducing.

The Independent Chairman of the BSCB highlighted in particular the strength of Early Help in Bromley, putting on record his admiration for the Head of Early Intervention and Family Support who had delivered an effective system of early help across the Borough.  The Early Intervention programme was described as “the jewel in Bromley’s crown”.

In terms of changes to BSCB since the Ofsted inspection in May 2016, Mr Gamble explained that there had been a restructure of the Board and partnerships had been improved.  There was now a better infrastructure in place which enabled the Board to work in a more streamlined and efficient manner.  The Community Engagement work of the BSCB, which had been started under the previous Independent Chairman Mrs Annie Callanan, had been positive.  The number of LADO referrals had increased which was a sign of a healthy safeguarding partnership.

In terms of partnership working, Mr Gamble highlighted that more work needed to be done with the Police who, whilst willing to engage in the partnership, had not be able to adequately engage.  The Police had not been present at any of the multi-agency training events that had taken place.  As a result of the implementation of ‘One Met’, the Police appeared to be withdrawing on a number of commitments that had previously been made.  The Chairman of BSCB was clear that there would be robust challenge and that there was a clear expectation the Police remained an engaged partner.

Finally, Mr Gamble highlighted the impact of both the Wood Review and the Children’s Social Work Bill which brought a level of ambiguity to the work of BSCB.  Mr Gamble provided assurances that that in spite of the ambiguity he would keep pushing for commitment from all partners.

In conclusion, Mr Gamble emphasised that there was now a real sense of optimism following the positive changes that had been made within the Service.  There were excellent staff in Bromley who were working hard to implement changes and deliver high quality services to children and young people.  The Bromley Safeguarding Children’s Board Annual Report for 2017/18 would be published in May 2018 in order to allow for timely consideration of the report in future.

In response to a question from the Chairman of the Sub-Committee, surrounding whether the issues Bromley was experiencing with the Police in relation to partnership working was endemic of the wider culture of the Police or something specific to the Metropolitan Police Service, Mr Gamble stated that in his opinion is was both.  It was recognised that the Police had been required to make £600m savings and this had required significant changes to be made.  However, BSCB approached its work through the context of children’s lives.  The new Police contact for Bromley and representative on the BSCB therefore had to be committed to engaging with the Board and the Local Authority.  The BSCB could not allow any short comings with the Police to inhibit the work of the Board and this would therefore represent a journey of challenge.  The next annual report of BSCB would reflect the current position and this was ultimately a leadership issue for the Police.

The Sub-Committee noted that the implications and impact of the One Met model may be something that could not resolved at a borough level and would therefore require escalation to the GLA and Government Ministers if necessary.

In response to a question concerning attendance of partners at BSCB meetings, Mr Gamble highlighted that it was not simply attendance at meetings that was important but also the effectiveness of representatives at feeding back information to their organisations.  Mr Gamble further reported that one partner had taken the decision to withdraw funding to the Board but following challenge the decision had subsequently been withdrawn.  In terms of consistency of attendance, Mr Gamble explained that this was high on the agenda and when he had first become Chairman of BSCB he had stipulated that Members of the Board could not send an alternate without a written explanation. 

In repose to a question concerning funding, Mr Gamble confirmed discussions had been taking place in relation to realigning some resources.  There was a contingency fund however the Board would need to pay for a significant number of Serious Case Reviews.  Mr Gamble emphasised that the additional support that had been provided by the Council would need to be an ongoing commitment.

The Chairman thanked Mr Gamble for attending the meeting and Members of the Sub-Committee noted that the next Annual Report would be published in May 2018.

RESOLVED: That the Bromley Safeguarding Children Board Annual Report 2016/17 be noted.