Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Social Care and Health

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Social Care and Health on enhancing Elected Member involvement with Children’s Social Care. The report indicated that during April 2018, the Local Government Association (LGA) had undertaken a Care Practice Diagnostic into Children’s Social Care and the team had made the following recommendation:-

“Provide opportunities for a wider range of Members to engage with Children’s Social Care, to enhance understanding of front-line delivery, and take advantage of the intake of new councilors following the elections to further raise the profile of the corporate parenting role.”

The report outlined the requirements following Lord Laming’s inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbie; the role of effective strategic leadership; and details of the proposal for front-line visits.

Members of the Committee asked questions/raised matters on the following issues:-

·         In the light of the Victoria Climbie case, had the Council been slow to engage Members with Children’s Social Care?

Different local authorities had different approaches on this matter and the Cabinet Member – Children’s Services and Safeguarding met with officers regularly for briefings, visited front line teams, and data and information was provided to this Committee regarding performance of the service.

·         All Members present at the meeting volunteered to participate in engagement with Children’s Social Care, to enhance understanding of front-line delivery.

RESOLVED:

That the suggested approach to introduce a rota of front-line visits by Elected Members to Children’s Social Care Teams, be supported.