Issue - meetings

To consider the latest trends, priorities and pressures in terms of departmental performance as reported in the QSR for the fourth quarter of 2016/17 (January to March 2017) relating to Children, Young People and Learning, giving particular attention to outcomes of Ofsted school inspections, numbers of children looked after, in need and subject to protection plans, and foster placements and movements.

Panel Members are asked to give advance notice to the Overview and Scrutiny Team of any questions relating to the QSR where possible.

The Chairman introduced this item by referring to the recently issued Ofsted Inspection report on Bracknell Forest Council’s services for children.  The Inspectors judged the department to be ‘good’ overall, with its work with looked after children, adoption performance and the experience and progress of care leavers all judged to be outstanding.  Inspectors found that children in the borough benefit from ‘highly aspirational, committed senior managers and political leaders who place them [children] firmly at the centre of their decision making’.

On behalf of the Panel the Chairman thanked and congratulated all the staff of the department for their hard work, which had been recognised fully in the Ofsted report.  The Panel was happy to note that the report had made a point of commending the contribution of all staff and referred specifically to the rigorous scrutiny of the quality of services for children exercised by the Panel.  These comments were echoed by the Executive Member, who indicated that after further consideration of the report in discussion with partners, there would be an opportunity in the autumn for the Panel to consider it more fully and look in detail at the Ofsted recommendations and action plan.

Turning to the Quarterly Service Report (QSR), the Panel considered the latest trends, priorities and pressures in terms of departmental performance for the fourth quarter of 2016/17 (January to March 2017) relating to Children, Young People and Learning.  The Chief Officer: Children’s Social Care made a presentation to the Panel about the Council’s services for children, reporting particularly on a number of areas in which the Panel had expressed an interest.  The total number of children looked after, children on child protection plans and children in need had risen substantially over the last year to almost 800.  There were currently 152 children on child protection plans (down from a peak of 171 at the time of the Ofsted inspection) and 136 children in care.  Ward data showed where the greatest number of children looked after or on child protection plans were located.  The majority of looked after children were placed in Bracknell Forest foster care.  A resume of the range of court work involving Children’s Services was given; most areas were experiencing a big increase over the last few months.  During April to June 2017, there were 27 care proceedings cases involving 44 children.  There were 47 cases currently in court (more than all other Berkshire Authorities except Reading) of which 7 had proceeded beyond the 26 week timetable.  There were a variety of reasons for an increase in the complexity of a case which in turn extended the duration of the proceedings.

Arising from questions and discussion, the following points were noted:

• There were approximately 60 social workers, some part time (including managers up to Chief officer level) currently in post, organised in various teams.
• There was a good, stable work force in post but the recent increases in the numbers of children requiring the Council’s services presented a considerable challenge, which was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63