Issue - meetings

Members received an overview report of progress at their last meeting on 29^th March and requested to see the performance information which substantiated the progress being made. Two performance-related documents are therefore attached which confirm the trajectory of improvement which has been maintained since the March committee.

The DfE Improvement Advisor for BCP and Interim Corporate Director, Children’s Services presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Members had received an overview report of progress at their last meeting on 29 March 2021 and requested to see the performance information which substantiated the progress being made. Two performance-related documents were attached to the Report, which confirmed the trajectory of improvement which had been maintained since the March Committee.

The Committee discussed the Report and comments were made including:

• A Member praised the improvements detailed, the aspiration of the Service being rated ‘good’ in 12-18 months and the reduction of poor or inadequate work being undertaken.
• In response to a query about recruitment and retention, the Committee was advised that it was less fragile and positive steps had been taken such as recruiting managers who could manage virtually, initiatives that had increased the recruitment of newly qualified Social Workers and students and that workforce planning progression was still being considered to help improvements in this area.
• There was a detailed discussion about inclusions practices across BCP, and the Committee was advised of the difficulties surrounding the issue and that this was a top priority for the new Director of Education when they took up post. 
• The DfE Improvement Advisor advised the Committee that there was a lot of work that needed to be done locally regarding inclusion to develop a strong partnership between all the partners to ensure best possible outcomes for local children. It was advised that once the enquiry was completed, a Report would come to Committee providing an update on the findings, progress, and action plan.
• A Member advised of the possible benefits of a publicised BCP standard of exclusion/inclusion through a formal multi-agency conference.
• In response to a query from the Chair regarding the Mosaic case management system, the Committee was advised that there were still some risks as some of the service areas still used Care Together but that these risks were being mitigated as much as possible and examples of this were given
• In response to a query regarding the service questionnaires, the Committee was advised that this was going to continue as part of the engagement process by trying to measure improvement in staff moral to lead to greater stability, communication, and feedback.

The Chair summarised the discussion as follows:

• To achieve a ‘Good’ rating would take time
• The positives of a less fragile workforce and better planning
• Inclusion including examples of good practice
• BCP wide definition of exclusion
• Importance of working with external agencies
• Mosaic case management system; and
• Staff questionnaires.

RESOLVED that the Committee note and scrutinised the performance documents and any points or suggestions provided be built into the next stage of the improvement journey.