To receive a quarterly review of the progress against the action plan produced in response to the Ofsted Inspection of Local Authority Children's Services (ILACS) inspection judgement of June 2018

The report was introduced by Liz Elgar, assistant director safeguarding and family support (ADS&FS). The following was highlighted:

·         In January Oftsed had undertaken an outcome focused visit which had focused on transition from early help to children’s social care; operations in the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and Early Help (EH) Services.

·         The inspection had found that frequency of visits and assessment timeliness were improving.

·         There were still a lot of agency social workers at the council but a number had been in position for a long time.

·         Less children were subject to child protection plans.

·         There was still a high level of looked after children but the incorporation of special guardianship arrangements in Council policy was being investigated.

·         Better working between EH and Children’s Social Care had been achieved which allowed for the earlier identification of children requiring intervention. The earlier identification of children would also have an impact upon the capacity of EH services.

·         A draft proposal for the edge of care service was being developed offering intervention for children in the looked after system.

·         Work was being undertaken with families in the looked after system with an emphasis upon potential reunification with looked after children.

·         The Council had recently joined the regional adoption agency Adoption Central England (ACE).

Members raised the following points in the discussion that followed:

·         It was queried how there had been a reduction in the number of referrals to the MASH when it had been confirmed that referrals from the police remained too high. The ADS&FS explained that the reestablishment of the MASH partnership and the multi-agency audit had resulted in the adherence to thresholds for intervention. It was acknowledged that more work needed to be undertaken with the police to reduce referrals. The director of children and families (DCF) explained that the police made referrals where there was a concern regarding welfare rather than applying the thresholds relating to significant harm. It was a longstanding issue which was acknowledged in the Ofsted letter but the director’s understanding was that West Mercia Police in Herefordshire believed it was solely a Herefordshire issue.

·         The reduction in social worker caseloads outlined in the report was raised and there was concern at the contention by Ofsted that appropriate caseload numbers may not be sustainable. It was important that there was effective management and monitoring of caseloads and an update on the latest situation was requested. The ADS&FS explained that there had been significant improvement in the assessment service caseloads since the visit of Ofsted in June 2018. Social workers with caseloads over 20 were now reported and monitored. It was acknowledged that caseloads in the LAC service were relatively high but action was being taken to address this.

·         The optimal caseload for social workers was questioned and how officers were supported to outline concerns over capacity. The ADS&FS explained that there was not a definitive figure but it was important that supervision monitored caseloads and the capacity of staff. The DCF outlined the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61