The report of the Director of Children’s Services is attached

27.1    The meeting received the report of the Director of Children’s Services which set out the action plan required by Ofsted following the recent inspection of Services for Children in Need of Help and Protection, Looked After Children and Care Leavers.

27.2    The Director of Children’s Services reminded Members that following the inspection carried out by Ofsted in September 2017 the Council was rated good overall, placing Shropshire amongst the highest performing local authorities nationally.  She advised the meeting that the report provided by Ofsted contained a number of recommendations for improvement, and that the Council was required to provide Ofsted with an Action Plan which set out the Councils responses to the recommendations.

27.3    The Chair congratulated Officers on the clear and concise was that the Action Plan was laid out.

27.4    A Member asked what input staff had had in developing the Action Plan.  The Head of Children’s Social Work and Safeguarding informed the meeting that following the inspection a Staff Development Day had been held which had focussed on the inspection and that there had been continuous consultation with staff throughout the development  of the Action Plan.

27.5    In response to a query, the Head of Children’s Social Work and Safeguarding advised that progress with all areas of the Action Plan was on track.

27.6    A Member asked how progress with the actions would be monitored.  The Head of Children’s Social Work and Safeguarding informed the meeting that a variety of audits were already carried out to ensure good practise and that a number of themed audits were planned to ensure that the changes were embedded in normal work practices. 

27.7    The Director of Children’s Services commented that the 5 priorities underpinned all the work that was carried out.

27.8    The Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services commented that whilst the Ofsted result was excellent the Council could not sit on its laurels.  He added that there was a role for Councillors in achieving some of the recommendations.

27.9    A Member asked how performance would be measures for those recommendations that had already been actioned.  The Head of Children’s Social Work and Safeguarding advised that performance measurement was built into the processes.  The Director of Children’s Services that she and the Head of Children’s Social Work and Safeguarding held quarterly performance reviews with Service Managers.

27.10  In response to a query, the Director of Children’s commented that it was important to have a Care Leavers Pledge which was robust and ensured that it laid out levels of support and help available to care leavers.  She added that it was important that commitment was gained from wider partners in order to take this forward.  She agreed that a report would be brought to a future meeting setting out progress with the development of the pledge.  

27.11  With regard to recommendation 12 the Director of Children’s Services commented that the only accommodation available for homeless young peoples was often “hard to let” properties that were unsuitable.  She added that there was a role for Councillors as Corporate Parent in ensuring that the Council was able to provide suitable accommodation for homeless young people.

27.12  Members confirmed that the Action Plan adequately addressed the required improvements.

27.14  The Director of Children’s Services advised the meeting that following minor amendments the Action Plan would be submitted to Ofsted by the required date of 7 March.