Agenda item

Reports Attached

 

Members of the committee were reminded that they were expected to have read the report in advance of the meeting.

 

Jeanette Richards, Executive Director for Children and Young People provided an update on the Improvement Plan for Children’s Services. Jeanette provided an overview of the documents contained within the committee pack. She explained that children’s services had been on an improvement journey since being judged inadequate by ofsted in 2021 and subsequently receiving a judgement of ‘requires improvement’.

 

Following inspection and improvement plan was developed and shared with Ofsted. The plan aligns with the inspection framework and governance arrangements and is reviewed quarterly by the Local Government Improvement Adviser alongside senior leaders. Progress against key milestones is monitored through performance data, risk ratings and regular reporting arrangements, which will continue until the next full inspection. Annual engagement and self-evaluation arrangements with Ofsted remain in place.

 

Jeanette advised the highlight report focused on progress against key milestones and the work being led by directors and senior managers to deliver improvement.

 

Councillor Sheppard asked what improvements could be expected over the next 12 months.

 

Jeanette advised that a key area of focus was improving outcomes for looked after children, particularly the quality of children’s EHCP plans. Audits had identified challenges in ensuring plans were detailed and focused on performance. Recent improvements had resulted in approximately 50% of plans being assessed as strong. Additional oversight had been introduced, including support from Warrington, t strengthen quality assurance and provide challenge to social work practice.

 

Jeanette added that ongoing work with team managers was focused on driving improvements in practice and the quality of plans.

 

Councillor FitzGerald referred to attendance figures contained within the report and asked for further detail regarding variations between year groups.

 

Jeanette acknowledged that attendance, particularly within secondary schools, remained a significant challenge.

 

Ben Dunne Director of Education confirmed attendance figures and advised that attendance remained high in the primary phase, with reception attendance at approximately 96.1%, but declined significantly throughout secondary education. Attendance data for looked after children showed a marked reduction from year 7 onwards.

 

Members were advised that this issue was not limited to children with SEND and reflected wider challenges across the secondary sector. Attendance would continue to be monitored through the corporate parenting board.

 

Ben Dunne informed members of the forthcoming ‘Bury Belongs in School’ strategy, which promotes the principle that the majority of children should be educated within mainstream schools where appropriate. He noted concerns that elective home education and section 19 arrangements had, in some cases, become too readily accepted alternatives, and that the strategy would seek to reinforce attendance and inclusion.

 

Councillor Walmsley highlighted the relationship between attendance, suspensions, inclusion and educational outcomes. She noted the importance of maintaining positive working relationships with schools to address these challenges.

 

Councillor FitzGerald expressed concern regarding attendance levels for looked after children and emphasised the responsibilities of elected members as corporate champions.

 

Councillor Walmsley advised that more detailed attendance data would be presented to the Corporate Parenting Board and subsequently circulated to Committee Members.

 

Councillor Farooq asked whether the improvement plan included actions to support children who had experienced domestic abuse.

 

Jeanette confirmed that domestic abuse remained a significant factor influencing the need for support services. She highlighted legislative changes, partnership working with third sector organisations and the use of Operation Encompass whereby schools are notified when police attend incidents of domestic abuse within a child’s household. This enables schools and practitioners to provide trauma-informed support. Jeanette added that supporting families affected by domestic abuse and economic pressures remained a key priority.

 

Councillor Hunt asked how feedback from children and young people was informing service improvement and how the council demonstrated that their views had influenced decision-making.

 

Jeanette advised that children and young people were involved at a number of points across the improvement programme and that their participation was strongly supported by senior leaders.

 

Linda Evans Director of Social Care and Early Help emphasised the importance of capturing the lived experiences of children and young people and ensuring their voices informed assessments, planning and service development. She stated that focus was not only on listening to children but also demonstrating how their views had led to real changes.

 

Members were informed that children and young people regularly attend the corporate parenting board and participate in various engagement forums, Jeanette Highlighted the work of the change makers group, who had helped rewrite the children in care promise, supported recruitment, and contributed to senior management appointments. The group had also been recognised regionally for its work and was nominated for a best practice award.

 

Linda also referred to the services quality assurance ‘Kitemark’ programme, which involves young people auditing services and recognising areas of good practice.

 

Councillor Southworth suggested that future performance reporting should include exclusion data.

 

Ben Dunne explained that whilst the data existed, current management systems did not provide live information and relied on periodic updates from schools. Work was underway to improve data systems to create a more integrated approach to performance reporting.

 

Councillor Martin referred to delays in establishing the supported lidgings service and asked why the process had taken longer than anticipated.

 

Linda explained that Ofsted registration requirements were complex and required approval of a registered manager and responsible individual. In addition DBS-related requirements and administrative processes had also contributed to delays. However, the application process was now progressing and a decision was awaited.

 

Linda advised that Supported Lodgings would provide important additional options for young people and support a gradual transitions towards independence.

 

Councillor Martin asked a follow up question around interim arrangements, Linda explained that 30 young people were currently supported through supported accommodation arrangements, with access to 24-hour support where required, enabling them to develop independent living skills.

 

Councillor Boles enquired whether concerns regarding delays in the registration process had been raised with Ofsted.

 

Linda Confirmed that feedback had been provided through regional discussions with Ofsted regarding the complexity and demands of the registration process.

 

Councillor Boles also sought clarification regarding improvements to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) service.

 

Linda explained that previous inspections had identified inconsistencies in allegation management processes. In response, additional training, auditing and dip-sampling had been introduced to ensure statutory requirements were applied consistently. This area continued to be monitored.

 

Councillor FitzGerald requested further information regarding neglect, noting that it remained a key safeguarding partnership priority.

 

Jeanette advised that identifying neglect could be challenging and required professionals to recognise different forms of neglect at an early stage. A refreshed neglect strategy had been introduced approximately three years ago, supported by workforce training, it was noted that neglect could be educational, emotional and other forms of harm, and emphasised the importance of recognising continued neglect and its long-term impact on children.

 

Jeanette added that improving the quality of referrals into the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), strengthening assessments and ensuring effective plans remained central to improvement work. Neglect continued to be a priority for the safeguarding partnership.

 

Councillor FitzGerald noted that elements of neglect could be subjective and welcomed further discussion how practitioners assessed different forms of harm.

 

Councillor Walmsley added that the neglect strategy reflected the voices of children and focused on fundamental needs such as feeling loved, safe, cared for and having access to appropriate clothing and support.

 

It Was Agreed:

 

·       The update be noted

 

Actions:

 

·       Circulate the neglect strategy to the committee

·       Circulate attendance information relating to looked after children be shared with the committee following consideration by the Corporate Parenting Board