Agenda and minutes

There were no Declarations of Interest made by Members at this point in the meeting.

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Children and Young People’s Social Care and Services Scrutiny Panel held on 21 March 2022 were submitted and approved as a correct record.

(To Follow)

Recommendation: That the Panel considers the content of the draft Final Report and agrees conclusions and recommendations for submission to the Executive.

The Panel was asked to consider the Draft Final Report on its review ‘Locality Working from a Children’s Services Perspective, a copy of which was circulated prior to the meeting.

In relation to the report, the following queries were raised:-

·        Page 6, paragraph 35 – it was queried how many residents had completed the surveys referred to.  The Head of Stronger Communities advised that several surveys were conducted at different points in time and that numbers would vary, however, this information could be provided to the Panel.

·        Page 10, paragraph 58 – reference was made to the views of early help practitioners that there were not enough workers to meet demand and it was queried whether that was still the case.  The Executive Director stated she was mindful of limitations on staff but did not feel that demand had risen to increase caseloads excessively.

·        Page 11, paragraph 62 – reference was made to the statement that based on the information provided to the Panel, it appeared that early help was not as successful in Newport as it was in North Ormesby.  The Executive Director advised that at the time the information was provided to the Panel it was correct, however, things had moved on since November and she was not aware of this level of disparity now.

Proposed conclusions were circulated to Members prior to the meeting and were agreed as follows:-

a)     The Panel feels that, despite some delays mainly due to the pandemic, the locality working pilot programmes in Newport and North Ormesby are working well and are making good progress.

b)     It notes that the locality model has had a positive impact in both areas, including:-

·        a reduction in anti-social behaviour and crime.

·        a significant increase in the number of residents who report feeling safer, both during the day and at night.

·        an increase in the number of people who state they intend to continue living in the area for longer

·        Noticeable improvements in the physical environment.

c)      During its review, the Panel spoke to a wide range of services and organisations involved in locality working.  It appears that the concept of locality working is having a positive impact in general and more specifically on children and families living in the localities.  The majority of partners feel that the multi-agency approach is beneficial and has improved working relationships and dialogue between partners and the community resulting in positive outcomes.  However, the Panel found some instances where partners are less aware of the locality model and did not have full awareness of all the partners involved.  For example, a mixed report from primary schools in the areas – with Newport reporting a positive impact through locality working - particularly in relation to Early Help and Neighbourhood Safety – and North Ormesby reporting a lack of awareness of the model.  The Panel has since received reassurance from the Director of Children’s Services that awareness of the model in North Ormesby has been improved.

d)     Both Newport and North  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21/55

(To Follow)

Recommendation: That the Panel considers the content of the draft Final Report and agrees conclusions and recommendations for submission to the Executive.

The Panel was asked to consider the Draft Final Report on its review ‘Sufficiency and Permanency (Perceptions of Children in Care)’, a copy of which was circulated prior to the meeting.  In addition, an Addendum report, updating on the key points within the main report, was also submitted.

Proposed conclusions were circulated to Members prior to the meeting and were agreed as follows:-

a)     The Panel wishes to acknowledge that due to the need for Children’s Services to improve with urgency and pace, significant progress has been made since the Panel commenced its review.  This is supported by the Department for Education’s Children’s Commissioner recommending that Children’s Services in Middlesbrough no longer required oversight by the Commissioner and was endorsed by the Minister for Children and Families in July 2021.

b)     The Panel also acknowledges that improvements were made despite significant demand on services coupled with the Covid pandemic which called for alternative and inventive ways of working.

c)      The Panel recognises that whilst the number of children looked after in Middlesbrough remains high, it has significantly reduced – with a 19.5% reduction during the period November 2020 to November 2021.

d)     The Panel feels reassured that since the start of its review, significant improvements have been made across Children’s Services in Middlesbrough, with the following areas most recently noted as having improved by Ofsted:-

·        Senior managers are realistic and know their service – they are aware of progress and areas that still require improvement.

·        Social Worker caseloads have begun to reduce.

·        There is stronger practice in relation to immediate safeguarding concerns and in support provision for children in need where serious concerns exist and they are on the ‘edge of care’.

·        Social Workers are enthusiastic and know their children and families well and are committed to improving their lives.

e)     The Panel also notes positive progress has been made in the following areas:-

·        An increase in the numbers of children being adopted, where it is in their best interests, with more Middlesbrough children being adopted than from any other Tees Valley local authority in the last 12 months up to December 2021.  Parallel planning has been improved between Middlesbrough’s fostering service and Adoption Tees Valley.  In addition, Adoption Tees Valley continues to promote interest in adopting through continuous recruitment events managed by a dedicated Marketing Officer.

·        A significant reduction in the number of children living in connected carer placements and an increase in the number of children whose permanency has been secured via Special Guardianship orders.

·        A 50% reduction in the number of children residing in Placements with Parents during the 12 month period to August 2021.

·        A significant reduction in external residential placements in the six months up to December 2021.

·        An increase in young people being placed in Middlesbrough residential provision.

·        An increase in the use of in-house foster care placements as opposed to Independent Foster Agency placements.

f)       The Panel is aware that there are areas of the service that require further development and is keen  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21/56

The Executive Director of Children’s Services will provide a verbal update in relation to Covid recovery in Children’s Services, where appropriate.

The Executive Director of Children’s Services advised that there were currently no issues with availability of staff within children’s social care.  There had been some challenges around a Covid breakout within Holly Lodge residential home, however, this was now receding and the Service as a whole was not facing any significant demand.

AGREED that the information provided be noted.

The Chair will provide a verbal update in relation to business conducted at the Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting held on 23 March 2022.

The Chair provided the Panel with a verbal update in relation to the business conducted by the Overview and Scrutiny Board on 23 March 2022, namely:-

·        Executive forward work programme.

·        Executive Member Update – Councillor Cooper, Executive Member for Environment and Finance and Governance.

·        Chief Executive Update.

·        Scrutiny Panels’ Chair’s Updates.

·        Town Centre Update

·        Next OSB meeting – Wed, 27 April 2022 at 10.00am

The Chair announced that this was the Scrutiny Panel’s final meeting of the 2021/22 Municipal Year and thanked Members for their valuable contribution throughout the year.

NOTED