To receive a presentation (attached) on the outcomes of the LGA Safeguarding Peer Review and to consider any additions to the committees work programme resulting from the issues raised.

The DCW gave a presentation, as included with the agenda papers, on the draft findings of the Local Government Association (LGA) Safeguarding Peer Review.  He indicated that the formal letter setting out the findings would be provided to the Committee.

The committee was invited to consider any additions to the committee’s work programme resulting from the issues raised. 

In discussion the following principal points were made:

·        It was requested that information be provided to the Committee on referrals to the multi-agency safeguarding hub (MASH) in view of particular concerns about the level of referrals from West Mercia Police, to establish whether the referrals were appropriate, or whether different approaches needed to be considered.

·        In relation to the quality of record keeping the DCW commented that some of the issues did include instances where recording had not historically been as good as it could be.  However, some records in some areas were currently not as up to date as they needed to be.  One of the issues was the workload of some teams meaning that whilst the case work was being carried out there was a time lag in recording it. 

·        It was asked if more administrative support would assist in improving record keeping and retaining social work staff.  The DCW commented that a range of issues including improved use of technology were being explored to make recording easier and simpler.

·        The findings were good news and when formally confirmed should be communicated widely.

·        In relation to a question about the relationship between schools and social workers, referencing previous concerns expressed about a lack of continuity as a result of turnover of individual social workers, the DCW stated that the review had not commented on this specifically.  However, there were comments that a range of partners, which included schools, had a high regard for social workers.  The review had also found that there were appropriate arrangements for early help which included the approach by schools.  There was still an amount of turnover of social work staff.  However, there was a focus on retention, and recruitment to hard to fill experienced social worker posts.

·        Further information was sought on the headline findings that there was good support from elected members, and whether areas for improvement had been identified.  The DCW commented that the review had found that members had a good understanding of the issues for children in the county and that it was a priority for all councillors, with a corporate plan and investment in place.  The review had asked in relation to the early help offer whether there could be more focus on some services to help reduce the need for higher threshold services.  This would be beneficial to the children but also to the council given that number of children requiring some services were comparatively high.  Some help to address workload pressures would also be good.  However, the key message was that there was an awareness of the range of issues involved.

·        It was suggested that all members needed to recognise their role as corporate parents.  It was important that all members attending training and there was room for improvement in that area.

The cabinet member commented that training was being revised and encouraged attendance.

·        The cabinet member welcomed the peer review as a means of seeking how the council could improve its services. The findings were positive overall.

·        The DCW agreed to seek further information from the peer review group on what it considered to be good examples of strong links with army families, as referenced in the headline findings, and inform the Civilian and Military Task Group accordingly.

RESOLVED: 

That    (a)        a report be submitted on the referrals to the MASH, in particular those by West Mercia Police, for review by the Committee;

            (b)         it be requested that corporate parent training for all members be made mandatory;

            (c)        progress on actions in the finalised improvement plan is reported to the Committee, at 3, 6 and 12 months to enable it to be monitored; and

            (d)        the Committee’s recognition and support of the work of staff in this challenging area be noted.