Issue - meetings

Children’s Social Services

It was moved by Councillor Prendergast, seconded by Councillor Brough:

That this council:

(1)      Notes and fully accepts the contents of the independent Ofsted report of 10^th May 2021

(2)      Acknowledges the failings in management, supervision and leadership identified by Ofsted that have left some of the most vulnerable children in the borough at an unacceptable level of risk

(3)      Agrees to expedite the publication and enactment of an effective improvement plan to set out how operational and management changes will be brought about.

(4)      Resolves to take all required steps to ensure that the Children’s Social Services Department of Sefton Council, within 12 months, reaches a standard acceptable to the independent inspectorate

An amendment was moved by Councillor Doyle, seconded by Councillor Spencer that:

At point (2) the words “management, supervision and leadership” be replaced with “Children’s Social Care”;

At point (3) the words “expedite the publication and enactment of an effective improvement plan to set out how operational and management changes will be brought about” be replaced with the words “publish regular updates in accordance with the Ofsted recommendations and improvement notice”.

At point (4) the words “within 12 months” be deleted and after the word “reaches” the words “an acceptable” be included and after the word “standard” the words “that demonstrate appropriate and sustainable improvement” be include and the words “acceptable to the independent inspectorate” be deleted.

That a new point (5) be added “Recognises this council has commenced our improvement journey, underpinned by a significant financial increase to the Children’s Services budget”.

Following a debate, on a show of hands, the Mayor declared the Amendment to be carried by 50 votes to 5.

Thereafter, on a show of hands, the Mayor declared the Substantive Motion to be carried.