Report of the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People
Minutes:
[Rev Preb Michael Metcalf in attendance for this item, representing the Prosperous Overview & Scrutiny Committee]
The Committee had previously scrutinised the development and implementation of the Children’s Services Transformation. They now received a presentation giving an overview of the Children’s Transformation six-month review findings, considering the interdependencies of national pressures, and showing the key themes that had emerged and the plans being put in place to address these.
Members noted that the number of children in care was rising across all authorities, and that whilst Staffordshire numbers were rising, the increase was relatively low when compared with neighbouring authorities. The impact of Covid, and the lack of face-to-face activity, had been greater than expected and would impact on Children’s Transformation. The number of children coming into care was also greater than the figure on which the Transformation had been based and therefore there was a need to consider the impact this had on staffing levels.
Plans to address areas for improvement had been agreed, these being:
· a review of the staffing structure to ensure it is fit for purpose, whilst maintaining the principles of the transformation and budget constraints, reflecting on the feedback and making
the required changes;
· establishing three task and finish groups to take forward the areas that received the most feedback, these being: workforce; communications and engagement; and ways of working. These groups will be led by multidisciplinary teams to ensure that they reflect the needs identified. Feedback from the workforce had been shared with these task and finish groups to ensure the development of a coherent plan; and,
· continuing to keep the workforce up to date with progress and continuing to engage in regular dialogue about how the system operates so that continuous learning can take place, evolving to better meet the needs of children and their families.
Members received an outline of the task and finish groups, with the plans to be overseen by the leadership team for Children and Families Services.
Members noted that there remained social worker vacancies in some areas within Staffordshire, these currently being filled by agency workers. Examples of the disparity were given, with no vacancies currently in Newcastle in comparison to a number of vacancies in East Staffordshire. There remained a national shortage of social workers and Staffordshire had an on-going recruitment campaign to help address these vacancy issues. Members also considered the issue of silo working and how this was avoided.
The Action Plan was detailed, and the Committee discussed its implementation and requested a quarterly update on progress. It was agreed that further consideration should be given to the most appropriate method for updating Members, with a suggestion that the framework could be shared on a quarterly basis, and a report reviewing progress in 12 months.
The Committee thanked Officers and the Cabinet Member for the candid and detailed information shared with them.
Resolved: That:
a) the detailed information showing progress with the Children’s Transformation Service be welcomed; and
b) further consideration be given to the process by which the Committee can receive regular detail on progress with the Transformation action plan over the next 12 month period.
Supporting documents: