Issue - meetings

The Panel considered and noted the report of Scrutiny Manager recommending that the Panel consider and challenge the performance of Children’s Services and Learning in Southampton

Councillor Winning (Cabinet Member for Children and Learning), Rob Henderson (Executive Director Children and Learning) and Steph Murray (Deputy Director, Children and Learning) were in attendance and, with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting.

The Panel discussed a number of issues including:

• The reduction in the number of children entering the safeguarding system in Southampton;
• The increase in the percentage of children subject to 2 or more child protection plans;
• The welcome increase in the initial health assessments undertaken on time and the number of in house foster carers.
• The consistently high percentage of audits that show practice to be good or outstanding;
• Increasing workforce stability and reducing caseloads of social workers;; and
• The progress on the new children’s homes.