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 third quarterly report on the Children’s Services Improvement Programme. She noted that it had been discussed at the recent Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting as well as the Best Value Improvement Board. She set out that the headlines showed steady progress was being made as verified by OFSTED and the Department for Education but that there will still significant work to do.

She thanked officers for their hard work to tackle the issues that had been identified.

During discussion a number of points were noted including:

·         That the next OFSTED inspection would have a focus on risks from gang involvement and risks around sexual exploitation.

·         The importance of good caseload auditing and management.

·         The potential to develop a social work academy.

The Mayor welcomed the report, thanked officers for their work and 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.