Agenda item

To receive a verbal update from the Cabinet Members for Specialist Children’s Services and Adult Social Care and Public Health, the Corporate Director for Social Care, Health and Wellbeing and the Acting Director of Public Health 

1.            Mr G K Gibbens gave a verbal update on the following issues:-

04 June attended Public Health Champions celebration event in Maidstone

17 June attended West Kent Healthy Business Launch in Brands Hatch – this was attended by businesses seeking to support their staff to embrace healthier lifestyles

17 June attended Healthy Living Programme event in Wrotham

9 July will attend Children and Young People’s Emotional Wellbeing summit in Gravesend

Mr Gibbens explained that he would report public health updates to both the Children’s and Adult Social Care and Health Cabinet Committees unless any item was specifically related only to one or the other.

2.            Mr A Scott-Clark gave a verbal update on the following issues:-

Update on transfer of Health Visiting Service

Teenage Pregnancy strategy development

Undertaking health needs assessments for Children in Care

Swale infant feeding task and finish group

3.            Mrs Whittle pointed out the differences that she had experienced in the health visitor and antenatal services during her current pregnancy and her previous experience nearly seven years ago. She added that targeted breastfeeding support was needed, from birth, in all areas of the county.  To achieve the best coverage and value for money, health visitors needed to be located in children’s centres.  Such an arrangement would be beneficial to both services.  Other Members agreed that such an arrangement would help to keep children’s centres open.  Mr Scott-Clark supported the comments made.

4.            Mr P J Oakford gave a verbal update on the following issues:-

Comprehensive set of meetings with senior officers and others, both within Specialist Children’s Services and the wider organisation.

Started to work with officers on the Children’s transformation and will continue to work towards ensuring that necessary reforms are implemented within budget.

Ofsted is on the horizon

Attended Bishop of Dover’s reception to discuss adult and children’s safeguarding – community work around this subject was well co-ordinated.

Visited the central referral unit and spent time with the various groups including time on the phones with a senior social worker.

Spent time with Newton Europe to gain a good understanding of the work they are doing with Specialist Children’s Services and the challenges we face.

Interviewed and appointed a Staff Officer - Léonie Harrington would be taking up this role shortly.

Attended the Coram Seminar in London

Attended the Adoption Summit in County Hall

Led a working group of senior officers and cabinet members to discuss the issue of social worker recruitment and retention

5.            Mr Oakford responded to comments and questions from Members, as follows:-

a)    the newly-qualified social workers recruited 18 months ago had now settled into the role and gained experience, and Mr Oakford said he was hopeful that further recruitment could be undertaken this year;

b)    many social work supervisor posts were currently filled by agency staff.  Recruiting permanent staff to these posts would create more stability and support for frontline staff as well as saving the County Council money on agency fees;

c)    there was a national graduate recruitment scheme for social workers, similar to the one established for teachers;

d)    Kent’s base salary for social workers compared well to those of its local authority neighbours, being higher than some, and its benefits package compared well to those offered in London, although vehicle licensing has been a sticking point.  Mr Ireland added that a finance package for Kent social workers had recently been established; and

e)    Kent had adopted the practice of ‘growing its own’ social work supervisors by identifying and developing good social workers, and a recent staff workshop on this subject had been held. This initiative represented a major piece of work for the future.

6.            Mr A Ireland gave a verbal update on the following issues:-

Children’s Transformation  and 0-25 Portfolio – these were both part of

Facing the Challenge and were a joint responsibility with the Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services.  A review of the costs of the service, eg independent fostering agency fees and residential care placements, would be undertaken, with the aim of achieving best value for money.  The new Early Help Directorate would take on this important role.

Care Leavers – a review of the commissioning of services for care leavers would follow the Ofsted inspection of the Council’s Children in Care service undertaken last summer.  Social workers would now have responsibility to monitor children in care up to the age of eighteen.

Child Protection Operation– the Committee was briefed on the latest developments in a major child protection operation.

7.            The verbal updates were noted, with thanks.  The Chairman added that any Member of the Committee was welcome to approach either of the Cabinet Members and Directors at any time with any question about their area of work.