Minutes:
Adam Johnston, Director, Child Protection and Through Care and Sufficiency presented a summary of the findings of the recent Ofsted Inspection of Worcestershire Local Authority Children’s Services. He confirmed that the overall Ofsted judgement for the service was good.
In the ensuing debate, the following points were made:
· In response to a query, Adam Johnston explained that whenever legal proceedings associated with a possible intervention were being contemplated, legal planning meetings would be held with representatives of legal services to determine whether the legal threshold had been met. In addition, the Local Family Justice Board held regular meetings in which emerging patterns, work flows, potential issues or concerns were discussed. The aim of these meetings was always to seek early intervention rather than being reactive. Alice Gillett, Group Manager, Through Care Services added that service managers met representatives of legal services every two months, sharing themes, learning and challenges
· Eloise, a child in care explained the important role that her social worker had played in helping her to settle in her locality. The key aspect was that the social worker had taken time to build up trust which had given her the confidence to tell her story
· In response to a query, Tom Mountford indicated that there was a positive relationship between the Homeless Intervention Team (HIT) at WCF and the district councils in what was a complex, time-consuming area of work. Adam Johnston added that HIT staff played an important role in supporting young people through the complicated bureaucratic processes associated with housing. Alice Gillett indicated that work was taking place with adult services to help young people transition into the adult world
· In response to a query, Adam Johnston acknowledged the impact that Covid and the cost-of-living crisis had on families, in particular with regard to mental health. There was a real possibility that safeguarding issues could arise as result. In these circumstances, the service was there to help families to assess whether any intervention was necessary albeit the main aim was to keep families together
· Did the Board have sight of complaints made by young people and the detail of their cases? Adam Johnston indicated that the Board had not received specific reports on complaints but a summary of complaints might be worth reporting in the future
· In response to a query about the Alfie Steele case, Adam Johnston advised that Ofsted were fully aware of the case at the start of their review. It should be noted that the serious case review had been delayed until the completion of the criminal investigation
· In relation to a query about CAMHs, Adam Johnston explained that there was a lot of focussed work with health partners to look at the provision of mental health support. Eloise added that young people were concerned that if mental health issues were identified, they would be taken from their placement
· It was queried whether WCF monitored cross boundary working with other authorities. Adam Johnston advised that WCF did not have any formal monitoring arrangements. It was a very complex issue and involved many partner organisations
· A report on the challenges faced by social workers in keeping in contact with children across county boundaries would be welcomed.
The Board:
a) Noted the feedback on the outcome of the Ofsted Inspection;
b) Agreed that the presentation slides be shared with Board members asking for any further questions to be submitted to Adam Johnston. The answers would then be collated and circulated to Board members;
c) Agreed that an overview of complaints made by looked after children be reported on a quarterly basis; and
d) Agreed that a report be brought to the next Board meeting on the challenges that social worker faced in keeping in contact with children across county boundaries.