To update the committee on the progress made on the Children’s Legal Team Improvement Plan since the last report on 20 May 2021.

The committee considered the report which was introduced by the acting deputy chief executive – solicitor to the council.

The committee queried the numbers of cases under the Human Rights Act and whether training was required.

The committee received an update on the staffing structure in and progress on recruitment to the children’s services legal team. The challenges of recruiting permanent staff were noted.

The committee reflected on the Internal Escalation Procedure for Managing

Disagreements on Case Planning for Children and Young People and queried the support available to senior officers when considering potentially very difficult decisions. It was suggested that the process be reviewed in relation to the criteria under which a second opinion should be sought.

The ability of councillors to call in decisions was noted. It was felt that training was required to give councillors the confidence to initiate the call in procedure.

In answer to the chair’s question on progress in adding a new standing co-optee to the committee as already agreed, the acting deputy chief executive advised that an advert was expected to be placed soon and that agreement to add to the standing co-optee list would be put to the full council meeting on the 8th October for formal confirmation.  

Actions arising:

·        The solicitor to the council to check and confirm if the Human Rights Act is highlighted as a workshop requirement for social workers;

·        The solicitor to the council to provide an example of an induction pack for new starters.

The recommendations below were proposed and seconded and carried unanimously.

a)               The committee notes the progress made to date and the plan to continue with improvements in the Children’s Legal Team;

b)               Further updates on the legal team improvement plan be presented to the committee bi-monthly, with evidence in the next meeting (23 November 2021) on the service level agreement, knowledge and understanding of when to access legal services by middle managers

c)               Add more clarity on the status of HRA cases and include evidence of training / workshops of areas of concern;

d)               Post court proceedings meetings be required rather than optional (Q7 in Children’s Legal Team Improvement Plan relates);

e)               A review of the escalation process be undertaken in relation to decision making by senior officers within the escalation process and support for them, including the criteria under which a second opinion is sought;

f)                Training be provided to councillors to help them be confident in instigating the call in procedure