To receive an update on action taken to reduce the child protection plan numbers following an increase in November, December 2017 and January 2018. To make recommendations on the approach and outcome of the action plan.

The committee received a report relating to the number of children subject to child protection arrangements and work undertaken to address an increase in numbers over Winter 2017/18. The ADSFS introduced the report and explained that following a sharp increase in the number of child protection cases an action plan had been developed which had decreased the number of children to a current number of 169. This had been achieved by stepping down cases to early help and other support services. An assessment of the appropriateness of thresholds to put children on child protection plans had been undertaken.

The Committee made the comments below in the discussion that followed:

·         The reduction in the number of children was very welcome and it was recognised that there had been a significant reduction. The thresholds were queried and whether the guidance followed at Herefordshire Council was national, regional or local? The ADSFS confirmed that the threshold guidance was local to Herefordshire but it did not differ significantly from guidance in other areas;

·         The committee queried when reviews of the thresholds occurred and whether there was consideration of the interpretation of government guidance during such reviews. Clarification regarding the thresholds was requested and whether level 1 was universal across all children in Herefordshire. The ADSFS explained that level 1 of the threshold represented the universal position that children who required no additional support occupied. Some children faced challenges through childhood and would need to be escalated or stepped-down across the levels;

·         The committee highlighted the importance of early intervention to address issues before additional support was required and there was escalation to the higher threshold levels. It was noted that children could move into level 2 where the need for early intervention had not been recognised; the importance of identifying the need for support from evidence such as missing routine health checks was emphasised. The ADSFS explained that the service sought to work with families to address issues at an early stage. Health visitors were trained to identify issues and make referrals to the MASH where appropriate.

·         The committee supported the work with families and asked about consistency of practice which had been criticised previously. The ADSFS reported that Ofsted had assessed the ‘front door’ as robust; but it was acknowledged that occasionally there was a tendency to see issues as more serious than they actually were;

·         The committee commended the action plan and was pleased with the progress made to address the number of children in child protection arrangements.

RESOLVED: that the committee notes the report and the progress made against the action plan.