Issue - meetings

There is evidence of some progress in relation to Quality Assurance because of the leadership ‘buy in’ and change to the Quality Assurance Framework, which is now more meaningful, engaging and impactful. Compliance and quality has begun to increase and there is now accountability of actions and a clear learning loop. 

The Head of Quality Assurance, Safeguarding and Partnerships presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix ‘D’ to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

There was evidence of some progress in relation to Quality Assurance because of the leadership ‘buy in’ and change to the Quality Assurance Framework, which was now more meaningful, engaging and impactful. Compliance and quality had begun to increase and there was now accountability of actions and a clear learning loop. 

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

• In response to a query regarding the changes to Practice Learning Reviews (PLRs), the Committee was given a detailed response of the improvements that had been made which included a reduction from two to one PLRs a month had been implemented to improve the quality of the work undertaken.  It was noted this resulted in approximately 10% of work being quality assured, it was also highlighted that the PLRs were collaborative with the managers working alongside the case workers. 
• The Committee was also advised that a Practice learning reviewer/auditor had been allocated to each team to support managers to get more confident at auditing works
• It was highlighted that 20% of LPRs work would be moderated to ensure audits were accurate, showing more consistency and alignment and that each on had actions which were tracked.
• In response to a concern about consistency of social workers interacting with children and families, the Committee was advised that stability in this area should be addressed through the recruitment and retention strategy which was being progressed
• In response to a query from the Chair about the Josh MacAlister Independent Review of Children’s Social Care particularly in relation to unlocking the potential of family support, the Committee was advised it also highlighted that significant financial support was necessary and it was highlighted that the national safeguarding report would also be considered when looking at the direction of changes and whether any would need to be developed in BCP Children’s Services
• In response to a query from the Chair about what the Corporate Director was concerned about, the Committee was advised of the need for financial support to back any progress, whether Children in Need could be placed within the early support service and the Committee was reassured that all of these issues would be considered by the Government in conjunction with the ADCS which was the national body of Directors of Children’s Services.

The Chair summarised the discussions as follows:

• PLRs and changes to and improvements
• Possible changes due to McAlister report
• Direction of travel

RESOLVED that the content of the report be accepted as a summary of the progress in relation to Quality Assurance.