Issue - meetings

To provide an update on progress of improvement work regarding the development of the Children’s Services Partnership Academy.

The Head of Quality Assurance, Governance and Improvement presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

To provide an update on progress of improvement work regarding the development of the Children’s Services Partnership Academy.

The Committee discussed the Report and comments were made, including:

• The Committee welcomed and praised the Academy’s objective to upskill current staff and train new ones and felt that it needed to be shared with the public
• In response to a query regarding capacity, quality of training and how long would it take for the impact/improvements be seen, the Committee was advised that this scheme was linked to the improvement journey and action plan and that a new Practice educator was working alongside the Social Workers to assess the quality of the work.  The Committee was advised that some improvements were already being seen but that further progress was expected.
• The Committee was advised that Social Workers of all levels were needed and that BCP had two agencies supporting it with recruitment.
• In response to a query regarding the Equality impact assessment and protected characteristics, the Committee was advised that this was an ongoing piece of work which would take time to complete
• In response to a query regarding how the Academy Partnership was going to be developed into a Centre of Excellence, the Committee was advised that it would be developed through the improvement journey, with good solid training and support and workforce development.  This would be measured through feedback regarding the lived experiences of staff and service users.
• In response to a query, an Officer advised of her experience and feedback of the toolbox which delivered some of the lived experiences, the Committee was advised that it gives people an understanding and depths of all different areas of Children’s services 
• MYPs interested to hear some of the experiences and messages.  Not seen any of training delivered.

The Chair summarised the discussions as follows:

• Capacity and whether large enough
• QA and different ways to do – what excellence looks like
• Good new story and should be comms
• Number of SW and how recruit and retain
• Shortage of SW and how would improve it.

RESOLVED that the content of this report was accepted as an update on progress to date.