Issue - meetings

The Panel considered the report of the Deputy Director for Children's Social Care outlining how Southampton’s Children and Learning Service is sustaining good practice and outstanding leadership and is progressing with the implementation of the Family Safeguarding Model.

Councillor Winning - Cabinet Member for Children and Learning, Steph Murray - Deputy Director Children’s Social Care and Laura Trevett - Strategic Performance Manager were in attendance and, with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting.

The Panel discussed the following:

·  The services ambition to aim higher than the rating of good accredited to the service by Ofsted following the last inspection. The Panel were briefed on:

a.  innovations with user involvement including the Young Researcher and Young Inspector programme;

b.  the possibilities of engaging AI in the service; and the potential for increased engagement with the NHS

·  The role out of the Family Safeguarding model was explored by the Panel.  It was noted that the service was still yet to be fully staffed but that early indications were that the approach was leading to improved outcomes; and

·  Whether the forthcoming budget would affect the ability of Children’s Services and Learning to deliver the ambitions outlined within the Aiming Higher programme.

RESOLVED

1.  That a progress report on the Aiming Higher programme and social care reforms is scheduled in the 2025/26 Children and Families Scrutiny Panel work programme.

2.  That a briefing on the localities and integrated working pilot is shared with the Panel when details are confirmed.

3.  That the findings from the audit commissioned from Hertfordshire County Council on Southampton’s Family Safeguarding Service is circulated to the Panel when available.