Agenda item

The Strategic Director of Social Care and Education submits a report providing an update on performance in Children’s social care and information on monitoring and improving quality.

The Strategic Director for Social Care and Education gave a presentation to the Commission on the Children, Young People and Education Quarter 2 Performance from April to September 2025 and quality assurance.

The following was noted:

·       Data was presented up to September 2025, with it noted that the performance dashboard was currently under revision and would improve as it became more established.

·       Current areas of risk were outlined, including a rising number of children subject to child protection plans. It was emphasised that this reflected an increase in need rather than specific practice concerns, and benchmarking showed similar trends nationally.

·       An Independent Assessment had been undertaken to provide assurance that the position was not the result of local practice issues.

·       Workforce pressures were highlighted, including social worker vacancies and difficulty recruiting to 4 newly established posts.

·       Work had been undertaken across Overview Select Committee and Adult Social Care to reinvest available funding in order to support a wider overall workforce.

·       Positive performance was reported in several areas, including lower re referral rates within 12 months compared to neighbouring authorities.

·       The proportion of assessments completed within 45 working days was reported as 79 percent, with performance improving and recovery work ongoing.

·       Care plan completion rates were above average.

·       Education, Health and Care Plan completion performance was also noted.

·       Unregulated placements were reported as low, with 6 children currently placed in children’s homes without Ofsted registration, compared to a total of 520 children in care.

·       The quality assurance framework and national performance data were outlined, with an emphasis on providing boards with clear information to understand system position and trends.

·       Next steps for quality improvement were set out, including a review of underlying methodology to ensure learning activity was focused and effective.

·       A common methodology was being introduced to improve consistency, supported by a 6 month programme of work.

·       Team managers would be supported through reflective workbooks and 3 mandatory sessions to embed learning into practice.

·       Work on diversity and inclusion was outlined, including rolling out plans over the next 12 months, the establishment of a decision making forum, and the inclusion of staff with lived experience.

·       A maturity matrix had been issued to the workforce, with responses being used to inform future development.

·       Alignment with Local Government Association work and wider departmental activity was also noted.

In discussion with Members, the following was noted:

·       Members welcomed the update and thanked officers for the work undertaken.

·       Further discussion focused on the children’s services performance and analysis framework, which had originally been developed following Ofsted work several years ago and was now maintained on a rolling monthly basis. Members welcomed the use of measures that provided early warning of emerging themes and enabled links to be made between different parts of the system, including demand, safeguarding and service change

·       Members discussed demand trends, noting an increase from 309 to 485 within the analysis tool, with further increases anticipated once the latest data was available. It was recognised that the service was significantly busier than 6 months earlier, and members queried whether the increase in activity reflected appropriate levels of intervention and support for families. It was confirmed that artificial intelligence was not currently being used, and that future platforms would need to ensure sensitive data remained securely contained.

·       Clarification was sought on referrals resulting in no further action. It was explained that definitions and measurement varied between authorities, and that the most recent figures were now balanced at around 3 percent, compared to a national average of 4 percent. It was noted that refresher work on thresholds and practice had supported this improvement, with an emphasis on advice and guidance where appropriate.

·       Members highlighted positive Ofsted feedback in relation to contact with care leavers, noting performance above the national average.

·       Members asked about emerging risks for Quarter 3. Officers confirmed that child protection numbers continued to rise, with an increase in looked after children during November and December. While numbers of unaccompanied asylum seeking children remained minimal, there had been an increase in babies entering care, with mitigation work undertaken but most cases resulting in care placements within a 4 week period. Overall numbers had increased from 619 to 640 in one quarter, reflecting a larger rise than previous quarters, although consistent with the broader trend.

·       Members emphasised the importance of timely availability of performance information, noting that data should be available within 6 weeks of the end of each quarter. It was confirmed that the next update would be presented at the March meeting in line with the work programme.

Agreed

1.    The Commission noted the performance and quality update.

2.    A further update be provided in line with the work programme.