Agenda item

Members considered a report which provided a review and analysis of the performance challenge carried out by the Director of People of Doncaster Children’s Services Trust in Quarter 1 of 2017/18 arising from the challenge meetings held between both parties.

Members were informed that there had been a range of challenge processes that had taken place.  These included three thematic Ofsted monitoring visits and finally a fourth visit with a focus on the ‘Front Door’, all of which had provided positive feedback.  Members were informed that performance was well within tolerance as part of the annual contract review or otherwise were on track to be completed.  

A1: Re-referrals in the last 12 months/E1: Contacts to Social Care - It was shared that the main concern was around demand pressures at the ‘Front Door’.  As a result, a review had been undertaken by external consultants who identified that the system wasn’t working as well as it should be and that further work would be needed with the Early Help process.  It was added that additional funding had been secured to provide a specialist resource with an understanding of Police referrals.

A2: Timeliness Of Single Assessments – It was seen that timeliness had fallen further in Quarter 1 and was now below tolerance (although it was clarified that this was a stretch target).  It was explained that this reflected demand pressures and where quality wasn’t right, assessments were being pushed back. It was explained that additional funding had been agreed to secure temporary social work resources which tackled caseloads level and should have a positive impact. 

Members were informed that A3: The Percentage of Case Files Audits had been rated ‘Requires Improvement or Better’ had improved and was within tolerance.  Other areas highlighted included Youth Offending Services targets showing a more positive trend.

E20-22 Children in Care with up to date: Health Assessment/Dental checks/ Personal Education Plans (PEPS) - Members were informed that there had been a challenge at a recent Corporate Parenting Board meeting regarding delays about health assessments and dental checks.  Members were informed that the situation had improved and offered to be provided with up-to-date information.  Regarding dental checks, it was explained that there could be challenges in registering older children at dentists who could elect not to engage. 

Regarding PEPS, it was commented that an improvement had been made since the last quarter.  Members were made aware that an interim Head of Virtual School had recently been appointed and was attending weekly meetings.  It was added that efforts were being made to improve technological systems at the Doncaster Children’s Services Trust. 

Members were provided assurances that working relationships had improved with Social Workers and the virtual school.  It was explained that there had been a combined effort to sharpen focus on Personal Education Planning (PEP) and that 66% of quality PEPs had been signed.

B14: Care Leavers in Employment, Education and Training (EET) – It was explained that further work was being undertaken regarding the outcomes of the Children In Care looking at how they can prepare for future working lives.  It was explained that the Children and Young People’s Plan was committed to producing an Annual Impact Report for Children in Care and this could be included within the Panels workplan for a future meeting.

Keys To Your Future Programme – It was explained that the ‘Keys to your Future’ programme had been implemented and was now up and running.  It was explained that Children in Care could access this programme although it was not mandatory.    It was reported that there will always be some children that were unable to cope with that level of formality and unable to engage as well as others.

Doncaster Children’s Services Trust (DCST) Financial Update – It was reported that the Trust’s financial performance had been considered by OSMC in July 2017 and would be looked at again later.  Members were informed by DCST that the Council had been supportive where demands were high and with invest to save projects.  It was noted that there was a clear correlation with costs and the increased intensity of work.  Members were informed that unit costs had been significantly reduced and that there had been an increased in-house foster care provision.  Members were assured that it was about providing a good quality service at the lowest level of cost.

Members were assured that finance was very high on the Trusts agenda.  It was explained that Social Workers undertook work that had been of a great intensity.  It was added that a piece of research had measured 2075 contacts and 411 Early Help episodes that had taken place in an average month (with no school holiday).  It was further explained that once a matter became a referral then it led to a huge amount of work involving 5-6 weeks of a Social Workers time and that only 212 of those cases had become active cases and 37 were child protection conferences.  It was finally noted that comparable to its neighbours, Doncaster Children’s Services Trust experienced 60% more assessments and 30% more referrals.

RESOLVED That the Panel note the report.