Agenda item

In November 2019, Ofsted undertook a focussed visit in respect of planning for permanence for children in BCP. 

The outcome of this inspection highlighted a number of areas of improvement which are summarised in our Children’s Services Learning and Improvement Plan.

The improvement plan was updated in light of the inspection outcomes and progress is overseen through the BCP Quality Performance Improvement Board. 

The Corporate Parenting Board is the governance board which oversees the BCP Corporate Parenting Strategy. This report offers an update in relation to the progress being made for children and actions in place to improve our service delivery to children in BCP.

The Service Director, Children and Young People’s Social Care, 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.

In November 2019, Ofsted undertook a focussed visit in respect of planning for permanence for children in BCP. 

The outcome of this inspection highlighted a number of areas of improvement which were summarised in the Children’s Services Learning and Improvement Plan.

The improvement plan was updated in light of the inspection outcomes and progress was overseen through the BCP Quality Performance Improvement Board. 

The Corporate Parenting Board was the governance board which oversees the BCP Corporate Parenting Strategy. The report offered an update in relation to the progress being made for children and actions in place to improve the service delivery to children in BCP.

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

• In response to clarification regarding definitions, the Committee was advised that permanence planning was where a long term plan was in place and parallel planning was thinking about a contingency plan
• A Member acknowledged the work that had been undertaken to improve permanence planning and the situation for children in care (CIC) and felt it would be beneficial for the Committee to receive some training on the processes used
• In response to a query regarding mental health, the Committee was advised that a strength and difficulties questionnaire was completed during initial health assessments and if it scored at a certain level it would trigger intervention.  It was highlighted that there had been an impact on children and young people’s mental health during this pandemic, and this was being closely monitored
• There was some discussion around concerns regarding the lack of breadth of offer available for Post 16 pupils across BCP and in response, the Service Directors detailed their ongoing work within this area which included recently reviewing all the Personal Education Plans (PEPs) for CIC, proactive engagement through the virtual school and ongoing work to help increase the breadth of offer available, particularly vocational courses which it was highlighted was one of the Learning Partnership Board’s key priority
• There was some discussion around apprenticeship schemes and the Committee was advised that work was ongoing with the young people within our care to try and identify and match them with work experience, apprenticeships and training.  It was also noted that the School Improvement Team did a lot of work around bridging education and employment opportunities.
• In response to a concern regarding timeliness of the initial assessment data detailed in the supplementary information, the Committee was advised that it was acknowledged that the percentages detailed were not acceptable and that a lot of work was being undertaken to address this including simplifying the process and measures being put in place to ensure a faster pace in relation to referrals.  The Committee was reassured that the figure was now approximately 60% of assessments completed within the timescale set and there was confidence that the target of 90% would be reached
• In response to a query regarding any protected characteristics of the small proportion of complex young people the Service was dealing with, the Committee was advised that these young people were at risk of exploitation, criminal activity and had varying levels of mental health, unfortunately they had been moving around the system for a long time and although only a small group, were significant. The Committee was reassured they were being closely monitored and consideration was being given regarding wrap around care and to find them stable long term placements.  In response to a request from the Chairman, the Committee was advised that a report regarding the profile of the group could be shared with the Committee at a future meeting
• In response to a concern regarding the CIC that were not currently in full time education, the impact on their futures because of it and how their Pupil premium was being spent, the Committee was advised  that work was being undertaken through the Early Help Strategy which included four key programs, one of which was importantly linked to speech and language development within the home and school environment.  The Committee was advised that the Pupil Premium was held within the virtual school and was carefully monitored and used for the individual child.  The Committee was advised of the plans in place to try and address these issues and that moving forward, a policy shift to focus on prevention and an ambition to rapidly reduce those figures within the next academic year.  The Member requested a review of this issue come back to Committee to enable it to monitor progress.
• There was discussion around how some children and young people who really struggled with a school environment had thrived during lockdown whilst having to work with schools virtually. Whilst it was widely acknowledged that a school environment was most beneficial, consideration was being given to providing those who were not in school with an online offer

The Chairman summarised the discussions the Committee had as follows:

• Training, employment and those currently not in education
• Mental health impacts
• Work experience and apprenticeships
• Health assessments
• Pupil premium and assurances of where the funds were being spent.

RESOLVED THAT the Committee take note of the progress being made in relation to services for Children in Care and Care Experienced Young People.