1

INTRODUCTION

Nancy Palmer welcomed everyone to the meeting.  Members introduced themselves, noting the meeting was quorate (CYPS, Health, Police, Youth Justice present).

2

APOLOGIES

Apologies were presented.  NP expressed concern about the number of apologies.  She advised that in future a record of attendance will be maintained which has to be reported nationally.  An Induction Pack for members will be sent out shortly, together with a letter reminding members of the importance of regular attendance at LSCB meetings.  DD will send out a list of members’ attendance over the past year. NP clarified that deputies are allowed to attend in exceptional circumstances, but that it is expected members will attend three out of four meetings.

 DD

3

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING –  7 DECEMBER 2009 AND MATTERS ARISING

The minutes were agreed as an accurate record.  There were no matters arising.

4

OFSTED INSPECTION OF LOCAL AUTHORITY PRIVATE FOSTERING  (David Molesworth, General Manager CSC, in attendance for this item)

DM presented this report and advised members of the revised inspection framework for local authority private fostering.  These inspections will be carried out between June 2010 and March 2013 with pilot inspections taking place in April 2010.  He advised members that the consultation document is available on the Ofsted website.

He referred members to the DCSF website Every Child Matters which gives a background on the issues around private fostering.  He explained the “sunshine clause” which would necessitate private foster carers having to be registered in the same way as foster carers.  The consultation closes on 19 May 2010 and the Private Fostering Sub Group will lead on the response to Government; anyone who would like to contribute to this is very welcome to do so and should contact DM direct.

All

DM has had discussion with David O’Brien in the Performance and Outcomes Team regarding the possibility of carrying out an internal self evaluation.  He advised that the first round of Ofsted inspections had been to learn about private fostering and that the second round will be much more structured and will be asking how we are promoting awareness in North Yorkshire. 

DM commented that there are currently only eighteen children registered as being privately fostered.  Notifications are given by a range of people, for example Social Workers in North Yorkshire, Housing Benefit officers and Youth Justice, but this is a multi-agency concern.  PN proposed that the Locality Forums should take on the task of raising the profile around the reporting of privately fostered children.  NP asked all members of LSCB to emphasise this important message within their organisations.

All

It was agreed that the self evaluation will come back to a future LSCB meeting when this is completed.

DM

5

MINUTES OF EXECUTIVE MEETING – 1 MARCH 2010 AND MATTERS ARISING

The minutes were agreed as an accurate record. 

Care Quality Commission Inspection Update

GH confirmed that a stopgap of funding has been made available for investment in front line Health Visitor services.  This will enable six additional Health Visitors to be appointed across North Yorkshire and York. At the same time Health have commissioned a review of Health Visiting services to identify any gaps.  He is working in partnership with Health Commissioning Groups to ensure the correct service model is purchased.  This will be a robust consultation and the results will be presented to Executive.

 There was discussion about the consultation remit and process and NP asked GH to present the findings to Executive in May.

 GH

Serious Case Review re Child G

AM provided an update on the situation regarding report writing for this Serious Case Review noting that Ofsted and Government Office had advised that there should be no change in the agreed timescales.

6

LSCB MANAGER’S REPORT

AM presented her report.

Training:  The Training Strategy and plan have been approved by Executive.  All the priorities contained within the Business Plan 2009-10 were completed ahead of time.  The new common core competencies will be updated in the next couple of months.  There will be more briefing sessions this year, especially around Working Together 2010, Serious Case Reviews and Child Death Overview Panel.  The second annual LSCB Conference will be held on 13 May 2010 and we have secured three national speakers.

 All our training is heavily over subscribed and there are long waiting lists.  However, we are still experiencing people not turning up for courses.  There is a charge of £50 for non attendance or cancellation within seven working days and some people are refusing to pay this. 

 Following discussion, the Board accepted the proposal to state on the application form that a charge will be levied for non-attendance or late cancellation, and that anyone who books on a course signs up to this.  It was therefore decided that in future there will be no appeals process

All

We are still receiving a large number of queries from people who have not read the clear instructions regarding completion of the booking form and the printing of certificates for training.  Board members were asked to emphasise to their staff that they need to follow the steps on screen carefully.

 All

Procedures, Website and Data Base:  The procedures are now live and on the website.  The Executive have agreed that we will form a Compliance Task Group as part of the Performance Sub Group.

 There has been positive feedback on the new website.

The data base will begin functioning at the beginning of April and this will provide data to allow a more detailed needs analysis and mapping to be undertaken.

Performance:  A separate Performance Report will be presented today. The Integrated data set has started slowly but this is now improving and AM thanked all agencies for their help in providing this data.

Audit:  The Ofsted audit has been completed and is with the Director of Children’s Services.  This will be presented to the Executive in May to allow discussion on the recommendations.  We will re-look at the membership of the audit group and the timetable of work.  AM thanked all agencies for their ongoing support and cooperation.

AM

Forums:  PN reported that there had been a meeting of Chairs of the Locality Forums which had been chaired by NP.  There is a need to review and reset the work of the Forums to make sure that they make the required impact.  There will be a clear implementation role in relation to the LSCB Business Plan.  The Chairs are trying to achieve a strong consistency in the work of the Forums across the county which means standardising agendas and processes and dovetailing these with the LSCB.  Implementation of the work and plans will be closely monitored for performance and a composite report will be provided for the LSCB to detail progress of issues contained within the Business Plan and priorities.  There will be a clear structure with more definitive roles, together with a strong mechanism to achieve a balanced implementation of both the Business Plan and the Board’s agenda and there will be a clear loop for feedback.  The monitoring process will be overseen by NP who will keep in touch with the Chairs.

 GH welcomed the update and recognised the invigorated drive in order to address some of the issues around communication.  He asked how this information will be sent out.  PN advised that there will be a clear communication route between the Forums to ensure that key messages are brought to the attention of partners.

 NP

Induction Pack:  An Induction Pack was approved at the last Executive meeting for all members of the Board and Executive and this is provided as an attachment today.  Enclosed in the pack is a member’s agreement which must be signed and returned to the Safeguarding Unit.  The pack will be sent out shortly to organisation leads of all present Board members.  It is the responsibility of those lead officers to ensure that the most appropriate person represents their organisation on the LSCB.  AM stressed that deputies should be able to meet the core criteria and therefore the level of seniority is important.  This will be tied in with the attendance issues and she confirmed that members are expected to attend three out of every four Board meetings in order that the LSCB is able to fulfil its requirements as a statutory body. 

Evaluation Tool for the LSCB/Children’s Trust:  AM explained that the Evaluations Tools will need to be looked at and amended and she will present updated documents to the next Executive indicating the changes for the LSCB.

AM

Serious Case Review Sub Group:  AM reported that we have one current SCR in progress and the final report will be presented to the Board in June.  This has to be sent to Ofsted by mid July. 

 The Learning the Lessons Review Executive Summary is presented today, together with the Action Plans.

 AM will take a further look at the changes in Chapter 8 and present a report to the next Executive.

 AM

NP asked if anyone had any comments on the attached documents – Training Brochure, Induction Pack for New Members, Evaluation Tool for the LSCB, Evaluation Tool for the Children’s Trust, and Serious Case Review re Child G. There were no comments and the documents were accepted.

7

NYSCB BUSINESS PLAN 2010-2012

AM reported that all the changes recommended by Executive have been incorporated into this but it will require further amendment following publication of Working Together 2010, in relation to policy, procedure, guidance and the role of monitoring and scrutiny.

GH stated that he would like to see the response from the Locality Forums to the Business Plan.  He considered that they need to take ownership of the Plan and asked for reference to be made in the Forum composite report to indicate how they propose to take this forward.

8

PERFORMANCE REPORT

AM confirmed that this is the report that she presented to Executive to advise of progress against the Ofsted Action Plan.  Unfortunately the Integrated data set had not been as well populated as we required. 

PN advised that there had been poor recording at the beginning of the year, and that there has been a strong focus in the team around increasing timeliness for Initial Assessments and Core Assessments, with IAs currently holding at around 80% and CAs at 75%.  He referred to the increase in Social Worker capacity and advised that there is a Project Manager in place looking at improving the ICS system.  He assured members that there has been significant improvement over the last few months.

The in-month data and whole number data will be presented to the next Board for the full year.  PN referred to the increase in numbers of children and young people who are subject to a Child Protection Plan and commented that this is to be expected following the ‘Baby P’ tragedy.  He referred to CPPs lasting two years or more and advised that this is very rare and that these figures are statistically insignificant.

AM

With regard to multiple categories of registration, PN observed that we need to look at how we are using categories and that this warrants some further attention.  Reviewing Officers who chair meetings need to determine what the inter-agency expectations are and the use that is made of the CPPs.

With regard to those subject to a CPP for a second or subsequent time, PN said the benchmark figure is between 12?16%.  He was asked to provide information regarding the variations in the different localities. 

PN

AM will take a detailed look at this data with Alan Tucker.  NP asked for sight of cumulative statistics and month by month statistics in the next report.

AM/AT

9

POST OFSTED ACTION PLAN UPDATE

In CW’s absence, PN presented this report.  He stated that there is a very thorough Action Plan in place which is carefully monitored.  The Action Plan is very extensive and contains a great many elements, including:

• Integrated Children’s system (ICS)
• New business process maps for social care processes
• Programme of ICS refresher training
• Project Manager leading the ICS recovery training
• Ultimate aim is to be in a position to keep all records electronically
• Social Worker capacity and timeliness of Initial and Core Assessments
• Audit of the new procedures to be undertaken six months after launch
• Improved services for Looked After Children (LAC), with priority for LAC who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities

• Joint strategy between the Council and the Primary Care Trust (PCT) for delivery of services to LAC – currently in draft form but will be finalised by the time the Children’s Trust next meets
• Strengthen the corporate parenting role – now part of the Constitution.

PN informed members that there has been a 50% increase in referrals during the last year and Children’s Social Care are carrying high levels of vacancies in Assessment and Safeguarding which are being covered by agency staff.  NO’B stated that 90% of applicants for vacant posts are from newly qualified staff who need extra support. He confirmed that the shortage of Social Workers is a national problem. 

NP confirmed that we need to be assured that we are in a position to meet the requirements in Working Together 2010.  We have a programme of audits being carried out by the LSCB and we will continue to verify compliance and standards.  AM stated that the Board will be measured against this in the next Ofsted inspection.  We have to meet all these requirements and therefore look at any expectations beyond our control.  It is important that the Board challenges unrealistic demands.

10

LEARNING THE LESSONS REVIEW

AM advised that this review has now been completed.  She gave a brief synopsis of the case and emphasised that this is not a Serious Case Review. This will be monitored by the Performance Sub Group and the SCR Sub Group and progress made against the Action Plans will be taken to the next Executive.

 AM

The Board endorsed the Executive Summary and await information regarding progress against the Action Plans.

AM

As from 1 April 2010 Executive Summaries for all Serious Case Reviews have to be written against a template in Working Together 2010.

11

YOUTH JUSTICE REPORT re LOCAL MANAGEMENT REPORTS

LI updated the LSCB on progress in respect of Local Management Reports undertaken in 2008-09.  She stated that the Youth Justice Board have broadened the criteria for these reports.  Five LMRs were undertaken between August 2008 and October 2009, from which a number of issues emerged.  All the actions were put into one plan and LI has written a summary; both these documents are attached to the report.  She emphasised that this is internal learning and that the findings are shared with Children’s Social Care.  She asked whether LSCB members would like to see the LMRs.

PN thought that there should be a rolling monitoring of Action Plans to ensure that action is being taken on these plans.  LI explained that these are monitored by the Youth Justice Board and the YJS Management Board.  NP proposed that the LMRs and Action Plans should be presented to the LSCB and members will be able to use their challenge role to check on progress made.  AM and LI will meet to write a proposal to present to the LSCB.

 AM/LI

12

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be held on Monday 28 June 2010 at 2.00 pm at Northallerton Civic Centre.