The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and Answers were noted.

DECISION

1.            To endorse the progress made in delivering the children’s services improvement programme. 

2.            To agree the next steps in the improvement journey which will be updated on in the next report. 

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, CHILDREN’S SERVICES (D. JONES)

(Programme Manager – Children’s Services Improvement (A. Walters)

Councillor Amy Whitelock Gibbs, Cabinet member for Education and Children’s services, introduced the report. She explained that this was the second quarterly update report and that progress had been verbally reported to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in November.

She noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and Answers and in particular welcomed the idea of providing more information to all Members about the children who were under the corporate parenting of the Council.

She drew Members attention to the highlights of the report including:

·                     The progress against the four themes in the improvement plan.

·                     The summary of the work of the improvement partners.

·                     That a report on the most recent OFSTED visit would be published in January.

·                     Initial improvements seen in the summer that were now being embedded.

·                     That there was a noticeable improvement in services being more child-focussed.

·                     A number of issues requiring more focus had also been identified in areas such as high case-loads and the recruitment and retention of staff. Ensuring change was fully embedded was also an important issue to monitor.

·                     The next visit from OFSTED was expected to be in May 2018.

During discussion the Mayor noted the tabled questions from Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the officer responses.

The Mayor stated that he was happy the council was moving in the right direction and he agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.            To endorse the progress made in delivering the children’s services improvement programme. 

2.            To agree the next steps in the improvement journey which would be updated on in the next report.