Agenda item

Members gave consideration to a report that provided an overview of two key issues. These included how the partnership convened to safeguard children and manage demand throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, and secondly the approach to recovery and resilience through the new Partnership Recovery and Resilience Board and Plan.

 

The following areas were raised as part of the discussion;

 

Family Poverty – A Member raised concern that one of the main problems had been poverty experienced by families and young people.  It was felt that poverty had increased during the pandemic and therefore resulted in worry about the impact of increasing unemployment.

 

Members were informed that further to an impact assessment being completed at the beginning of the pandemic, poverty and deprivation had been identified as one of the top three issues.  Reference was made to the pressures that had been identified within Children’s Services and the significant investment that had been made within Early Help.

 

Officers recognised the uncertainty for the future, for example, when furlough ends, and assured Members that they would continue to work closely with safeguarding services to ensure a timely response to any area of need or risk that arises.

 

Concern was raised around the long-term impact of mental health and social isolation particular with very young children.

 

The Panel was assured that there was a great deal of activity in place and intensive support offered for mental health and resources around Early Years. 

 

Members expressed their hope that Family Hubs would be opened as soon as possible, in addition to other sessions, groups and forums.  It was explained that there was a Health Visiting Service (for under 5 year olds) that linked with the midwifery service and would work alongside Family Hubs.  It was noted that issues considered have included support for parents, the attachment of very young children and also understanding the challenges faced during the pandemic and as we progress through recovery.  It was felt essential to move forward and build a more resilient generation.

 

Home Education – It was reported that despite a surge in referrals, the number of children that were home educated were now lower than what it had been previously.  Clarification was provided that the Local Authority’s role was to ensure that the young person received a suitable education.   It was explained that following an expression of interest, work had been undertaken with those families and schools in order for the Council to be involved in that a decision, support the right decision and make sure that the family was aware of their responsibilities.  It was outlined that over the last 6-8 months, many of those families that had expressed their interest in home education had decided against pursuing it due to what was actually involved.

 

There was a brief discussion around the policies and process in place to ensure that the Council was intervening in those circumstances where there was a concern. 

 

Early Help - A response was provided on behalf of the Locality Service Manager for Learning and Opportunities regarding the Solihull Approach Programme and how this had been communicated.  It was explained that the offer initially started as early years but had developed over the last year.

 

It was outlined how the following activity had been undertaken:-

 

·         Ongoing communications campaign from Doncaster Council.

·         Information sent to all schools to advertise with their parents

·         Information sent to all partner organisations to advertise via social media and 1-1 work

·         Parent Engagement Workers now linked with schools in each locality.

·         Early Help Front Door advertising when parents are asking for help and support.

·         Local Solutions Group using this to support parents/carers and to promote this opportunity. 

·         Take-up data per locality taken to Silver meetings to encourage take up and to make partners aware. 

·         Flyers sent and distributed to key buildings such as Libraries.  However, it  was recognised that this needed to be revisited as it may not deliver the impact needed (as opposed to word of mouth). 

Members were welcomed to provide ideas and suggestions moving forward to continue communicating to families about this provision. A Councillor suggested circulating the information to Parish Councils.

 

A range of statistics from Solihull Parenting Data were presented to the Panel and Members expressed that they were very pleased with the take-up of courses.

 

In reference to the decreases seen in the number of families accessing Early Help support, it was explained that this was due to a reduction in enquiries, as children had mainly not been attending schools during the pandemic (with around 60% referrals coming from educational settings).  The Panel was provided with assurances of safeguarding provided through a dedicated welfare team from across the partnership which had identified children deemed vulnerable.

 

It was added that Covid itself had also influenced the number of people coming forward.

 

Staffing within the Partnership - Members were assured that the significant staffing changes and challenges had now been resolved following a change to Senior Leadership in DMBC and the Children’s Trust as well as through a new appointment to the Chair of the Doncaster Children’s Safeguarding Board.

 

It was commented that collectively the partnership had worked well in light of pressures faced, such as the number of staff isolating or shielding, high levels of illness, experiences and stresses involved.  Members were told how as a partnership and through senior leadership they had wrapped around staff to make sure they had been able to stay at work and redeploy where necessary, providing the confidence to keep levels of staffing safe

 

Members provided thanks and appreciation to all staff involved.

 

Safeguarding Performance – Reference was made to the identified weakness in the strategic ‘line of sight’ to practice.  It was explained that this related to the work of the Partnership Improvement Board and the challenges around the partnership, quality and recruitment following both the floods and then the Covid 19 pandemic.

 

It was noted that there was now a focus on driving improvement and how as part of the improvement plan, through an immediate and timely response, this had included additional resources in supporting staff (in particular into the social care “front door”) with more Social Workers and support around reducing caseloads and extra Early Help workers.

 

Special Educational Needs (Education Health and Care Plans and Assessments) – It was explained that the delay had been due to challenges presented as a result of the renewed focus from all partners and schools to respond to the pandemic and ensure that safety measures were in place.  It was clarified that the process was part of a multi-partner approach, with challenges such as obtaining professional reports and meeting the child within the statutory 20-week timeframe.

 

Members were told that as we move out of the pandemic and challenges are reduced, then our ability to meet those deadlines should see an improvement.

 

Locality Delivery – It was explained that locality working would form part of the wider partner improvement plan for which a detailed project plan was currently being developed. It was outlined that Phase 1 would see additional support around step down, piloting the localities model in the south of Borough followed by an evaluation.  It was anticipated that this model would be rolled out around June 2021.

 

Issues and Challenges – Members were told how a number of key areas would continue, such as;

 

·         Mental health

·         The reintegration of children into educational settings (in addition to catching-up with friends and groups)

·         Domestic abuse

·         Deprivation and impact on families and children

Members were pleased to hear about the level of strength shown through the quality of senior leadership, successful partnership work, collaborations and what had been delivered within the school system to keep children safe and well.  Members also recognised the innovative thinking and what had been achieved, particularly in comparison to neighbouring authorities. 

 

The Panel stated that they would therefore welcome any learning review of the work undertaken by the Children and Families Cell that would reflect on what has worked well and what outcomes have been achieved. It was acknowledged that some areas of reflection on the last year may have already been undertaken or was already planned across the system.  It was recognised that there was now a period of recovery taking place to assess and prioritise what opportunities were available going forward.

 

Areas Of Good Practice – It was highlighted to Members that there had been regular weekly meetings of Social and Emotional Mental Health group ongoing since May 2020, which had brought together many different partners to provide wrap around care in a responsive safeguarding way.  It was noted that Doncaster might be the only Borough to that take that approach, and the group had been recognised what has been presented nationally.

 

A Young Adviser stated how pleased they were that there were so many systems in place and felt excited for the future.

 

It is recommended that the Panel note:

 

i.       The strength of the partnership response to the pandemic in Doncaster in keeping children and young people safe, and how it quickly mobilised to put in place robust and effective support, in extremely challenging times;

 

ii.      The role and scope of the Partnership Board and its commitment to improvement as part of recovery and resilience, and that by doing so, will effectively manage demand; and

 

iii.     That the Panel would therefore welcome any learning review of the work undertaken by the Children and Families Cell that would reflect on what has worked well and what outcomes have been achieved; and

 

iv.     That the Panel would also like to continue its consideration of key issues arising from the recovery and resilience phase through the new Partnership Recovery and Resilience Board and Plan through its workplan going forward.