Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Bernadette Nesbitt, Co-optee.

There were no items.

There were no declarations made.

It was outlined by the Chair that no-one at this meeting had been in attendance at the meeting held on 24^th March, therefore asked that the mintues be noted.  The Director of Learning, Opportunities and Skills indicated they were an accurate record of the meeting.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes, be noted.

(A period not exceeding 20 minutes for statements from up to 5 members of the public on matters within the Panel’s remit, proposing action(s) which may be considered or contribute towards the future development of the Panel’s work programme).

There were no public statements made.

The Panel gave consideration to a report outlining how local services, including the Local Authority, Doncaster Childrens Trust, Police and CCG work together to safeguard the Borough’s Children and the role of early help.  The continuum of need and response from level 1 to 4 from universal/additional need to multiple or complex needs were highlighted within the report.

The following areas were addressed by the Panel:

Early help referrals – it was outlined that during lock down Schools had played an important and additional role with early help but this had now reduced, particularly visits, it was therefore questioned whether there had been an increase in referrals.

It was explained that schools played a vital role with the early help offer but during lockdown this proved difficult overall, because schools were only open for the most vulnerable children.  Welfare calls, including those carried out by school staff, were undertaken to the most vulnerable children that the partnership were aware of.

The Panel noted that there had been an increase in referrals now children had returned to school and the Country’s restrictions were easing and recognised that schools were exceptionally busy ensuring children were returning to education and were safe.

It was noted that referrals to the social care system increased during lockdown and that social care practitioners continued to work on the front line.  In response to schools informing the Local Authority they were having difficulties fulfilling the lead practitioner role, the Authority was successful in securing funding in March 2021 through the Covid funding stream, to provide an additional 13 family practitioners.  These officers continued to support and were carrying large caseloads removing some strain from schools and partners.  Concern was expressed that this resource could be lost when funding ended in May 2022.  The Panel wished to hear at a future meeting the difference the additional resources were making. 

With regard to the thresholds required for a case to be accepted at any Level, it was stressed that these had not been changed.  However it was highlighted that this could be perceived differently, but the partnership continued to ensure each child received the right support at the right time.  It was stressed that the partnership worked well together and may provide different types of family intervention to avoid a child or young person entering the social care system.

With regard to who made referrals, it was noted that they came from a number of sources but currently the majority had been received from parents.  It was noted that a telephone number had been advertised through a number of means for families to make self referrals.  Data would need to be assessed but it was noted with reference to the first lockdown it was parents making the majority of referrals for early help.  With regard to social care the majority of referrals were made by the Police.

Partnership roles - in response to a query relating to schools retaking responsibility for specific roles when Covid eases,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Senior Governance Officer outlined the Scrutiny Work Plan and Forward Plan of Key Decisions. 

RESOLVED:  That the discussion, be noted.