Agenda item

The Panel gave consideration to a report relating to the operational and financial performance challenge carried out by the Director of People of the Doncaster Children’s Services Trust, arising from the challenge meetings held between both parties.

Following an overview by the Director of People, highlighting areas that were good and remained good and those which had shown a welcome and praiseworthy transformation, in particular the quality of case file audits and assessments undertaken within timescale.  The Panel therefore addressed the following areas:

Front door, service demand and re-referrals – It was noted that high levels of need was not unique to Doncaster and the demand for services was highlighted by the number of contacts at the front door, which continued to be high.  It was acknowledged that some contacts and re-referrals were not appropriate and did not meet the threshold for intervention.  With regard to inefficient contacts and re-referrals from agencies, the Children and Families Executive Board were investigating where lead practitioner roles were not being undertaken correctly.

Members learnt that since January 2018 the Trust commissioned a review of front door challenges and ‘whole system’ efficiency, which would identify the pinch points within the children’s system including demand and other pressures.  Recommendations from that would be used to develop a future model.  It was hoped that clear options would be available for consideration by the end of the summer.

The front door has been assessed 3 times in the last 16 months by Ofsted who indicated that the front door services were safe.  Members acknowledged this but were asked to bear in mind the high demand, and it was stressed the system needed to work efficiently through every area.  Agencies were being challenged in a number of forums to ensure practitioners were being held to account where specific issues should be dealt with elsewhere.

Government Intervention - current position – Members were hopeful that Children’s Services would soon be removed from intervention and noted the hard work undertaken by all partners to achieve this.  The Panel was aware of the Trust’s savings and expenditure plan reductions but noted that some financial pressures still remained and stressed that it was key to continue with a high quality delivery of service for the Borough’s children.  The Panel was reminded that the Trust had acted with good corporate due diligence with a high standard of financial work now being undertaken.

OfSted and good practice – the Panel highlighted the good practice emerging from the Trust and that it had been acknowledged by Ofsted.

Following concern expressed, it was explained that Ofsted may not undertake a full inspection for 3 years but it would still retain the right to inspect earlier and there would be two focused visits under the new inspection framework.  More specific inspections would continue, for example, an adoption inspection of the Trust as a Independent Adoption Agency was due to start on 25^th July, Oakland respite unit had recently been inspected with an outstanding result and maybe an autumn visit relating to quality and range of provision for care leavers. 

Children placed in Doncaster area from other authorities – Further to conversations at the Corporate Parenting Board a Member expressed concern with regard to the number of children and young people living in care in Doncaster Borough from other authorities and requested what cost implications would there be for the Trust, for example, health assessments.  It was noted that there was a clear and robust protocol to recharge other authorities for health assessments and this process could also be used to challenge local authorities if children and young people were not receiving the support they required.

It was reported that the Trust was currently aware of nearly 200 young people who were living in the Borough, placed in care by other authorities.  It was the opinion that due to Doncaster being affordable, new care homes would be developed and this number could increase.

Neighbouring authorities had recognised saturation due to other local authorities wishing to place children in their area and it was reported as being acknowledged that a regional response was required to address the situation ensuring good care and safeguarding across South Yorkshire.  Doncaster may consider, like a neighbouring authority, write to all Director of Children’s Services asking where their children in care were placed, providing a more accurate position.  Members noted that the Performance Accountability Board, including the Trust and South Yorkshire Police, was currently developing a protocol for transparency of when children and young people move in and out of the Borough, by other local authorities.

Workforce Structure – confirmation was sought that the correct structures and staff management was in place to support required services across the Trust.  It was noted that management of accounts and resources was always a subject of negotiation between the Trust and Local Authority and measures including vacancy freezes were being used to assist with the position, and a range of options were being examined to ensure staffing workload was correct in both the back office and front door.  For example, caseload was being addressed and where there is demand then additional support was put in place.

Financial Position – Bearing in mind discussion at the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee in April, 2018 when the Trust’s Financial Overview report was considered, the Trust assured Members that finance challenge meetings were held with the Council, and progress addressed.  The Panel was made aware that some of the issues that required addressing included consequences of demand, costs of legal proceedings and delays in special guardianship orders.

It was noted that prior to a child placement being approved, the offers were being scrutinised to ensure care decisions were appropriate, support a child’s care plan and were value for money.

It was noted that the quarter 1 position was not currently available and the challenge meeting would be taking place following this meeting on 25^th July.  Members were assured that there was a large focus on finance however there were continuous discussions ensuring that service delivery would not reduce in quality.

Re-offending rates of young people – It was noted that reoffending had significantly improved in the previous 2 years, reducing from 50% to 30%, placing Doncaster in the top 5% nationally.  The Panel was pleased to note that the Youth Justice Board Annual Report had recently referenced Doncaster as delivering good practice. 

It was reported that a lot of proactive work had been undertaken with the Courts and South Yorkshire Police to ensure that the number of young offenders had reduced.  A scheme had been developed to reduce criminal behaviour with multiagency support and early intervention and there had been success with the most challenging complex lives with fewer going into custody.

To conclude the Chair of the Doncaster Children’s Trust Board outlined that he was grateful for the level of Scrutiny being undertaken at today’s meeting and looked forward to working alongside the Local Authority to provide a safe and positive place for the children and young people of Doncaster to live.

RESOLVED that:

(1)                the focus of joint improvement work for Quarter 1, be noted;  and

(2)                a briefing note detailing the actual number of young people re-offending rather than percentage rates and indicators, be provided to the Panel.