Agenda item

LSCB Challenge Log

Minutes:

The Board noted the updated LSCB Risk/Challenge Log for 2017-18, with the following updates:

  • No 1: The audit undertaken around primary exclusions had been received at LISG and passed to CYPL Council colleagues to consider as part of their strategic work, and the Board would wait for feedback (Action: Ian Dixon).
  • No 2: A further monitoring process was underway for a residential provider in Bracknell Forest, to ensure that progress was made against concerns previously raised by the LSCB, and subsequently by Police.
  • No 3: Ian Dixon had received the final list of nominated LA leads, but identifying a date to discuss with other Local Authorities was challenging. Local Authorities were concerned following a private members’ bill with government that they would be given more accountability with no increase in resource. It was hoped that more clarity could be gathered from government following discussion of the bill. Alex Walters agreed to follow up the minutes from pan-Berkshire meeting at which EHE was discussed. (Action: Alex Walters)
  • No 4: Delays with the Family Court were variable, but Lorna Hunt had met with Sally Thomas who had agreed to discuss the 26 week period and delay with the judiciary at the next FJB at the end of October. The Board recognised a need to streamline this process to cut down on delays. Spencer Hird commented that there had been a significant increase in proceeding relating to children in Bracknell Forest and the wait had decreased to 36 weeks. Berkshire as an area had the second highest waiting times in the UK. Nikki Edwards was due to write to other Berkshire Directors of Children’s Services to encourage to them to write and raise the issue.
  • No 7: A S11 submission had been received from the housing provider, however it was late and not as detailed as hoped. Jonathan had asked for the return to be resubmitted. It was noted that there were wider S11 issues for the Local Authority because of commissioning arrangements, which had made accountability more difficult. Jonathan Picken and Alex Walters agreed to escalate  the issue. (Action: Jonathan Picken / Alex Walters)
  • No 8:  Analysis in respect of e-safety was underway, and the update from Debbie Smith on the Task and Finish Group on sexting. The LSCB core team agreed to assess the best next steps. (Action: Jonathan Picken/Alex Walters/Alison Burnell)
  • No 11: Family Group Conferencing was still being undertaken, but officers were assessing alternative approaches and whether there was a more effective way to do this to mitigate significant costs.
  • No 12: The CSE Pan-Berks subgroup had addressed the issue of the pressures on SEMRAC functions given significant increases in workload. Current Chair DI Andy Howard would be moving on, however group will continue to meet and be chaired by Penny McKenzie. The action around SEMRAC was completed, but needed to be assessed.
  • No 13: Spencer Hird was in attendance as the CAFCASS representative.
  • No 14: The merger between Bracknell Forest Homes and the RBWM Housing Association was no longer going ahead. The Board were reassured that Bracknell Forest Homes would still progress positively, however the temporary arrangements which had been established in anticipation of the merge needed to be consolidated.
  • No 15: Phil Cook had provided a contact at the Royal Military Academy, and Sam Wood in Community Engagement at the Council would be a good person to speak to should further contact be required.

 

The Board commented that for future challenge log, it may be useful to separate the action and update to make actions clearer. (Action:  Alison Burnell)

 

Contact Information

Democratic services

Email: committee@bracknell-forest.gov.uk