To scrutinise performance at Quarter 3 and identify areas that may require further investigation by an Overview and Scrutiny Committee. [Report Attached]

Contact: Tanya Miles, Executive Director for People.

Tanya Miles, Executive Director for People introduced the Performance Monitoring Report Quarter 3 which gave an update on key areas of performance across Adult Social Care, Children’s Social Care and Education services under the People’s Directorate.

Natalie McFall, Assistant Director Adult Social Care and Housing and Michelle Williams, Service Manager Long Term Support outlined key areas of the report in relation to Adult Social Care. It was reported that the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLs) and the Safeguarding teams have merged under one management structure.and the occupational therapy service had transitioned to adult social care in August 2024.

In response to questions members were advised that:

·       The DoLs team faced significant pressure due to a high volume of referrals and despite addressing the 2022 backlogs, the referral levels continued to be high which made it difficult to reduce the waiting list significantly.

·       There was an increasing complexity in the cases being referred, particularly with individuals lacking capacity and requiring residential and nursing care which was adding to the pressure on the DoLs team.

·       The reablement service focused on working with individuals to maximize their potential, which helped to ensure that care was provided appropriately and cost-effectively. This approach aimed to reduce wastage by continuously reviewing and adjusting care packages based on individuals' needs and progress.

·       The spike in DoLS waiting times in 2024 was due to changes in the way referrals were triaged and managed which led to an initial increase in waiting times as they adjusted to the new system. The impact on individuals was managed through close collaboration between social workers and care home managers, ensuring that risks were identified and mitigated early on.

·       The current community and family hubs were located in Highley, Bridgnorth, Oswestry, Ludlow and Shrewsbury and there were plans to establish hubs in Market Drayton and Whitchurch. It was added that there was an ambition to have hubs in as many communities as possible, including rural areas, to ensure widespread access to services.

·       The team would look to include information in future reports regarding Disabled Facilities Grant allocations to show how people were supported at home through occupational therapy.

David Shaw, Assistant Director Education & Achievement, outlined key areas of the report in relation to Learning and Skills noting the retention of strong early years provision in Shropshire, which had been recognised by the Department of Education. It was reported that there had been a significant reduction in the number of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET), which had been achieved through a proactive approach to prevent future challenges and there had been a reduction in permanent exclusions and suspensions in schools, as a result of targeted intervention programs.

In response to questions members were advised that:

·       There was a focus on reducing exclusions and suspensions in secondary schools as there were higher rates of permanent exclusions in secondary schools compared to primary schools. It was added that the Alternative Provision Inclusion Development Fund was targeted at secondary schools to address these issues.

·       The team holds data on exclusions and suspensions, including trends of young people who were excluded in primary school and continue to face exclusions in secondary school. It was agreed that case studies would be provided to a future meeting to illustrate the targeted work and its impact on preventing exclusions.

·       The closure of Bedstone College may have an impact on the local education system for the new academic year and the admissions team was closely monitoring the situation to manage any potential influx of students and ensure that their educational needs were met effectively.

·       Shropshire had a slightly higher rate of elective home education compared to the national average and concern was raised about cases where home schooling may not be suitable, such as when a child was under a child protection plan.

·       The low NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) figure for 16 to 17-year-olds in Shropshire was considered accurate due to the robust tracking and engagement processes implemented by the team, which includeed direct follow-ups with young people to ensure they were accessing education, employment, or training opportunities.

Sonya Miller, Assistant Director Children’s Social Care & Safeguarding and Amanda Beaufoy, Service Manager Case Management outlined key areas of the report in relation to Children’s Social Care noting the Early Help programme which provided targeted support and intervention for families at an earlier stage.

In response to questions members were advised that:

·       The number of children returning to care after being discharged was extremely low, with only two children coming back into care this year. The low rate was attributed to the ongoing support provided by the Stepping Stones team, who remain involved with families even after a child returns home.

·       There had been progress in relation to the recruitment of social workers, with approximately six experienced social workers hired in the last three months. It was added that the assessment teams were expected to be fully staffed within the next couple of weeks.

Officers were thanked for their report.