To update the Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee and formally report the outcome of the recent 2008 APA inspection of Children’s Services.

The Committee received an update on the outcome of the 2008 Annual Performance Assessment (APA) of services for children and young people in Herefordshire Council.

The Director of Children’s Services presented her report on the APA letter from Ofsted, a copy of which had been appended to the agenda report.  She commented that continuing progress was being made with most outcomes having improved since the last APA, with specific improvements being made in grades awarded for ‘capacity to improve’, including the management of services for Children and Young People (CYP) and Achieving Economic Well Being.  She highlighted that with increased public awareness following the ‘Haringey Baby P’ case, the greatest risk was the area of safeguarding.  A recent external review of safeguarding had been commissioned and was the subject of a later agenda report.  The Director reported that she was leading the Local Safeguarding Board for Children to ensure it was appropriately focussed on developing good practice and quality assurance across agencies.

During the course of scrutinising the report the following principal points were noted:

• The Committee acknowledged that, overall, good progress was being made in the service, however, concern was raised regarding banded/statemented funding.  The Director of Children’s Services reported that work in this area was ongoing with schools being consulted later in the year and she accepted that the funding for children with special needs needed to be closely monitored.
• Referring to the ‘Making a positive Contribution’ weakness ‘dissatisfaction amongst young people with the range of local activities… ‘ it was reported that the new City Skateboard Park was already attracting young people from around the region.  The Cabinet Member (Children’s Services) reported that while still in its early stages improved levels of youth work was on-going in Aylestone Ward.
• The Director of Children’s Services acknowledged that, when compared to the wide range of services provided by the Directorate, some specific comments reported within the Performance Assessment may seem to conflict.  Concerning a question on the number of children in the looked after sector she responded there were currently 139, being a slight increase on previously reported figures. 
• Questioned on the number of children’s social work staff in the directorate, the Committee were informed there were 57 (full time and agency) undertaking a range of work.
• In response to a question concerning the number of ‘out of County placements’ both Herefordshire children placed out of County and children placed into the County, officers undertook to provide the Committee with the information.
• Referring to ‘Achieving economic well-being’ weakness ‘people who progress to work based learning…’ concern was raised over the reliability of data collection, particularly around those young people who go on to college and then drop out.  The Committee were informed that in such instances concerning Herefordshire students, colleges notify Connexions, who then follow up the matter with the student.
• Referring to ‘Being Healthy’ ‘…rising number of hospital admissions for alcohol misuse’ comment was made that there seemed to be an increase in alcoholic drink cans/bottles in places where youths congregate.  It was further commented that, through the Regulatory Committee, a firm line was being taken against premises that contravened the sale of alcohol laws.

RESOLVED: That

a)        the Committee noted the content of the report and commended the staff and partners on the progress made this year; and

b)        The Committee noted the areas for improvement for the coming year – particularly safeguarding – in preparation for the forth coming anticipated CAA inspection in 2009.