To receive apologies for absence from Members of the Committee

Apologies were received from Councillors Kevin Turley, David Vasmer (Substitute: Roger Evans) and Sian Lines (Hereford Diocese).

Members are reminded they must not participate in the discussion or vote on any matter in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

There were none.

The minutes of the last meeting, held on 17 July 2019, are attached for confirmation.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 17^th July 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 

To receive any public questions or petitions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.  The deadline for this meeting is 10.00am on 18 November 2019

There were none.

To receive any questions of which Members of the Council have given notice.

Deadline for notification: 10.00am on 18 November 2019

There were none.

To receive updates on items not on the agenda

The Service Manager, LAC and Care Leavers provided an update on the Care Leavers Covenant and circulated a brief report summarising the event to the Committee. 

A Member expressed concern at the percentage of young care leavers that were not in education, employment or training and also at the percentage of young care leavers that were not in suitable accommodation.  The Interim Assistant Director of Children’s Social Care and Safeguarding responded that these were local and national concerns and was one of the reasons the Care Leavers Covenant had been established, to provide wider options for young people leaving care.   These issues were also looked at by the Corporate Parenting Panel and suggested that a report be brought to a future meeting to examine the issues relating to young care leavers transition into adulthood in more detail.  Members agreed this suggestion. 

Councillor Cecilia Motley provided an update on the work of the Youth Activities Task and Finish Group.  Councillor Motley explained that the work had been intensive, and the Group had received input from West Mercia Police, Shropshire Youth Association and experienced Youth Workers.  The Task and Finish Group identified that there was a need for open access provision and outreach access for young people.  The proposals put forward were to have a period of transition and to work with Parish and Town Council’s and encourage support from them, it was reported that there had a mixed response to date.  The Task and Finish Group concluded that outreach workers were needed to meet up with vulnerable children and that these workers were needed wherever children meet.   A further report would be presented to Cabinet in December.  

The Chairman thanked the Service Manager and Councillor Motley for their updates and for the good work that was being carried out.

The report of The Children’s Social Care, Early Help and Strengthening Families Specialist is attached.

Members received the report of the Children’s Social Care EH&F Specialist, Information, Intelligence and Insight Officer which presented the Committee with Children’s Social Care performance measures for Quarter 2 2019/2020.

In response to a question from a Member relating to social worker case loads and the use of agency workers,  the Director of Children’s Services and Safeguarding explained that the aspiration was to have social workers with case loads of no more than 19 – 20, however there were some with case loads of 25 and it was added that there were plans in place to address this.  It was further explained that the reality was that most authorities used agency workers and although there had been quite a high level of “churn” there were steps being taken to reduce this, such as a retention strategy, incentivised recruitment, training and development of existing staff and a trainee recruitment program. 

In response to a question relating to the percentage of care leavers in education, employment or training, the Children’s Social Care EH&F Specialist, Information, Intelligence and Insight Officer provided further information as to the national averages and brief breakdown of the cohort who were not in education, employment of training and the reasons for this. 

          RESOLVED:

          That the Children’s Social Care Performance measures for Quarter 2 2019/20 be noted. 

The report of  the Interim Assistant Director, Children’s Social Care and Safeguarding is attached.

Members received the report of the Interim Assistant Director, Children’s Social Care and Safeguarding which presented the Committee with an update on the progress of the Shropshire residential children’s homes developments.

In response to a question, the Interim Assistant Director, Children’s Social Care and Safeguarding reported that the development had been overseen by a tightly chaired project group and she was extremely pleased to see them nearing completion.   

In response to a question relating to neighbourhood engagement, the Interim Assistant Director, Children’s Social Care and Safeguarding that feedback had been positive and there had been questions mainly around parking and fencing, there were no ongoing issues or concerns.  Councillor Potter commented that as the local member for one of the properties and the neighbouring local member for one of the other properties it was is important to keep the engagement going. 

Members were pleased to note the update and commented that it was pleasing to note that savings would be achieved but importantly the project was beneficial to those children in need of care. 

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

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

Members received the report of the Director of Children’s Social Care and Safeguarding, providing an update on the recent focused visit made by Ofsted to Shropshire Children’s Services, along with a copy of the Ofsted feedback letter and Shropshire’s Permanency Action Plan.

RESOLVED:

That the content of the Ofsted feedback letter and Shropshire’s Action Plan be noted. 

The report of the Interim Assistant Director, Children’s Social Care and Safeguarding is attached

Members received the report of the Interim Assistant Director, Children’s Social Care and Safeguarding which set out information and assurance for Members regarding Shropshire’s approach to the use of unregistered and unregulated settings for children and young people. 

RESOLVED:

            That the report be noted.

The report of the Statutory Scrutiny Officer is attached.

The Scrutiny Work Programme had been circulated. 

The following January agenda items were agreed:

Shropshire Music Service

Budget 2019/20

Transition into adulthood.

Members are reminded that the next meeting of the People Overview Committee will be held on Friday 29 November 2019 at 2.00pm at The Shirehall

Members were advised that the next meeting of the People Overview Committee would be held on Friday, 29^th November 2019 at 2.00 p.m.