Agenda item

1.         Mr Ireland introduced the report and listed key successes.  The number of referrals has reduced, assessment times have been improved and the establishment of the central referral unit has brought with it a more consistent response to referrals. The number of cases unallocated after 28 days has fallen dramatically, and it is now unusual to have any cases not allocated. The number of Child Protection Plans issued has also fallen, and the emphasis is on making sure that Plans which are issued are appropriate and that each child receives services which are best suited to their situation.  The number of LAC has not yet reduced as far as had previously been hoped.  

2.         Mr Ireland and Mrs Imray responded to comments and questions from Members, and the following points were highlighted:-

a)         the ‘deep dive’ exercise had shown fluctuations in performance across districts, but no one district had shown consistently good or bad performance. All have areas in which they perform well and others in which they are more challenged. District performance is reported regularly to the CSIP, and if more information on a particular aspect is needed, the data collected can be adjusted to include this;

b)         it is difficult to identify children who are referred to other agencies or who are of concern to other agencies but for whom no referral is ultimately made.  KCC does not receive information from all other agencies, but data sharing is likely to improve as partner working increases; 

c)         when looking at current performance, it is important to remember how much service improvement has been implemented in the last 12 to 18 months – a relatively short space of time in which to formulate and implement major service changes.  It is important that changes are well thought through and progress is steady and does not prioritise pace of change at the expense of quality of service; 

d)         Mrs Whittle and Mr Ireland assured Members that the Children’s Services Improvement Panel and the Corporate Parenting Panel will both continue their work when the Council’s new governance arrangements come into force on 1 April 2012, and the focus and attention given to specialist services will continue. Mrs Whittle added that Kent needed to have a dedicated safeguarding panel for adults and children;

e)         the use of agency social work staff is not consistent across the county, as each area addresses its own individual staffing needs. Mr Ireland undertook to supply information about patterns of agency use;

f)          caseloads have gradually reduced to around 20 per social worker, and further reduction is hoped for. An average caseload per social worker in an authority rated as ‘outstanding’ would be around 15, and this gives Kent a target to aim for;  and

g)         Mrs Whittle pointed out that the KCC had allocated £2.7million in its 2012/13 budget for targeted preventative services for adolescents.  It is hoped that these will include crisis services such as the ‘crash pad’ scheme in Dartford, which supports young people who wish to leave home temporarily and offers support and encouragement to them to return home.  Research has shown that, if young people do not return home within about three weeks of leaving, they are unlikely ever to return.

3.         RESOLVED that:-

a)         the information set out in the report and given in response to comments and questions be noted, with thanks, and progress be welcomed and commended; and

b)         a report on the success of preventative work be submitted to the new Social Care and Public Health Cabinet Committee.