Issue - meetings

Report of the Director, Legal and Governance providing an overview of performance across Children and Families Services since January 2019.

The Committee considered the report of the Director, Legal and Governance providing an overview of performance across Children and Families Services since January 2019.

Jane White - Service Lead, Children’s Social Care was present and, with the consent of the Chair, address the Panel.

The Panel discussed:

·  How the drive to clearing a backlog was responsible for the increase in the percentage of Children in Need referrals shown in target M3;

·  The Staff pressures and recruitment strategies.  It was explained that interviews were being held presently but that there was a shortage of qualified social workers.  It was explained that the Council had achieved some success in recruiting staff but, so far these new starters had been newly qualified staff and that these were not able to immediately undertake child protection cases until they had achieved the professional qualification; 

·  Looked after Children data and their Pathways Plan; and

·  Introduction of an early help front door to work alongside the MASH.  The panel were informed that the preparations for the service, including a communications strategy would be ready for delivery as soon as the required approval had been received.

RESOLVED that Panel requested that data on Looked After Children with an up to date Pathways Plan be provided to the Panel at the June 2019 meeting.