Agenda item

The Chair of the Committee welcomed James Thomas, Chief Executive and Rob Moore Director of Corporate Resources and Company Secretary of Doncaster Children’s Services Trust.

The Committee considered the following areas as set out below;

Front Door Referrals – It was reported that there were 6134 contacts received during Quarter 1 to social care front door services, which were made up of requests for guidance or information, or people considering the need to make a referral because of concerns for a child or family. The Committee noted the process after initial contact made which included a multi-agency triage approach and then an initial decision made as to whether the response required a referral, early help intervention, another agency response, advice and guidance provided or redirecting people to other organisations.

In terms of how children or families met the thresholds for a referral, it was explained that there were four threshold levels (universal, levels 2 and 3 are an enhanced service and then statutory intervention).

^.

Members were informed that most contacts came from the police and this was perhaps due to their protocols and the nature of the incidents being dealt with.

Parent and Family Support Services – In response to a question, it was confirmed that PAFSS had remained open and continued to practice during Covid-19, with a reduction in referrals being experienced during the first lockdown.  It was continued that when referrals were made, an increasing number had higher complexities, with more children being referred to level 4 due to the complexities of their needs.  It was explained that the pathways into a service did not change during lockdowns, so that schools and professionals could make contact in the same way with an opportunity to see if early help was the right pathway.

Children Taken into Care – It was explained that the increase of children taken into care (when there had been a reduction in social care referrals) was because the complexity of needs within the home of those presenting to front door services had increased during the lockdown period. It was also noted that families presented with delayed need or increased complexities required a response at a higher level.

Child Protection Plan – The Committee were advised that a child protection plan was the step before child protection proceedings were actioned and the increase in children subject to a plan was due to the families presenting having more complex issues. It was also acknowledged that those that required a higher level of response were new to the system or had required involvement some time ago, therefore presenting with new need.

In-House Foster Costs – In terms of the costs of foster care, it was reported that using in-house foster carers was the preferred option because they provide a better service to children and families and were also financially better for the authority. It was stressed that it was a challenging environment but the hope was to move the ratio of foster carers used to 75% in-house and 25% external. Members heard that the result would be an increase of in-house fostering costs but that the external costs would decrease.

Future Placements Stategy – The two key areas of the strategy were identified as; 

·       Increase the number of in-house foster carers.

·       Increase the number of in-house residential homes.

The Committee noted the progress made on recruiting in-house foster carers and it was explained that to help carers were encouraged with rewards and benefits.

Members heard that securing properties for residential homes was proving more challenging as private buyers had the ability to outbid and have less processes to go through to purchase properties.  It was added that work was ongoing with private building providers as another option, which would have additional lead times but the properties would be new and built to specification. Members were also informed that converting existing properties within Doncaster, from one use to another brought up legal challenges.  

Localities – Members were assured that the Trust was aligned with the localities model and it was advised that Early Help Co-ordinators within the Locality Hubs would potentially open up the early help pathways much earlier to families in need.

RESOLVED that the progress of DCST performance outcomes and the contribution that the Trust makes to support the Council’s strategic priorities be noted.