To update the committee on progress concerning the Children’s Services Improvement journey.

The chairperson agreed that this item be taken ahead of the other substantive items on the agenda due to the availability of presenting officers.

The committee considered the report by the interim director for children and families. The report was presented by the Interim Assistant Director for MASH CIN CP and the Interim Assistant Director Quality Assurance Safeguarding and Partnerships.

In response to concerns regarding the wellbeing of staff and avenues for support, including outside of line management arrangements, officers outlined the role of the principal social worker, the whistleblowing process and planned team away days.

The committee received an update on progress with case audits and noted the emerging themes, support and training for social workers and timescales for completion of the work.

The recommendations below were proposed and seconded and carried unanimously.

That the committee having reviewed and noted the directors update report makes the following recommendations:

a)               That progress on development with heat maps be shared with the committee by 23 November 2021;

b)               That development sessions include members of children’s services legal team as well as social workers;

c)               That the committee review all the challenges identified in the report with a view to identifying areas where scrutiny can contribute;

d)               That examples of audit documentation be shared with the committee by 23 November 2021;

e)               That a link to relevant information on the council website be provided to the committee;

f)                That the voice of the staff be captured in an appropriate form as evidence for external review and the scrutiny committee.

Mr Andy James left the meeting at the conclusion of this item.

The committee adjourned at 16:15 and resumed at 16:25.