Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Joyce Nash.

There were no declarations.

To approve the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 6^th February 2018.

The public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 6 February 2018 were approved.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services which provided Members with an update on Special Educational Needs and Disability. 

The SEND Inspection Feedback session with Ofsted was very positive.  Do we know when we will be receiving formal notification?  How are we planning to implement the learning from the Inspection?

The Inspection Report was being quality assured and the outcome would be reported to Members later this month.  When the report is shared with Members, it will capture the wider SEND ambitions.  The self-evaluation was found to accurately reflected the priorities of all partners.  As Ofsted had visited during the planning stage, the timescales would also be visible in the outcome report. 

In order to implement learning from the Inspection; parents of SEND children and young people are in the early stages of implementing a carers’ forum.  Giving a voice to parents and young people, and the co-production of services, is very much at the forefront of Year-2 priorities. 

Parents are very keen to promote weekend activities.  However, this can be challenging given the low numbers and age range of the young people concerned.  Priorities for this year include short breaks, commissioned from Hackney; including siblings with disability as well as SENs.    Parents feel that the current offer is limited, mainly due to the restraints within the City, but options were being explored; ie swimming at Golden Lane Leisure Centre. 

Members suggested that officers engage with the Departments of Planning and Transportation and Open Spaces and the Barbican Arts Centre.   Officers advised that the development of the local leisure offer is a high priority and, whilst this is a work in progress, parents and partners are encouraged to share their experience with web searches.  A recent session at a City Library had been very successful

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services in respect of radicalisation and modern day slavery and how the City is mitigating potential risks in these areas. 

To what extent do we think Modern Slavery is a risk to our young people?  How are the risk assessments undertaken and how often are they completed/reviewed?

City Corporation Social Workers have a very high level of expertise in respect of unaccompanied asylum seekers and the issues affecting this cohort of young people.  An area for development is the template being used to assess the potential risks, which is currently under review.  The new template will be developed to offer guidance on the potential vulnerabilities and behaviours of young people and how to respond effectively . 

There was some discussion in respect of modern day slavery being a far wider issue than children and adult services; ie economic and social mobility and ensuring that workers receive a living wage.  It is therefore proposed to introduce training and sharing of information across the entire City Corporation.  The Assistant Director advised that this issue is a priority for both national Safeguarding Boards and for the Police.  Members stressed the importance of ensuring that all young people are equipped with confidence, knowledge and resilience if they are faced with this threat, either personally or in their communities.  Members acknowledged the good work of the Children in Care Council in raising awareness and always welcomed the opportunity to meet care leavers. 

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted. 

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services in respect of the Service Improvement Plan and Ofsted Improvements, covering the period December 2017 and February 2018.

How much of an issue is it that partners are not directly doing Common Assessment Framework (CAF) assessments, if the actual number is going up because of increased referrals to the Early Help Service?

The officer confirmed that this was not an issue, as the Social Worker in the Early Help Service was working on a revised CAF form, which would be more streamlined and outcome focussed.  Partners had been encouraged to contribute to this work.

How are we ensuring that the service is maintaining appropriate caseloads, reflective supervision and training opportunities for our staff?

Reflective supervision is greatly valued by City Corporation Social Workers and they have also engaged in reflective practice and supervision sessions with external agencies.    A training needs analysis will be fed in to the Work Force Development Plan and a training workforce matrix is being developed for the service.  Whilst case work is relatively low in the City Corporation, Managers ensure that the work is varied and equitable.   

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

Whilst accepting that some of the working service plans need to use accronyms, Members asked if they could be avoided in Committee Reports.  The Town Clerk had emailed and tabled a glossary of accromyns to Assist Members with the Service Improvement Plan on today’s agenda. 

In respect of Case C, Members noted that the Safeguarding Board was able to approach the Secretary of State directly and had been developing training including a community based video and conference.  Procedures and Policies would be developed to put safeguarding at the forefront of school absences.

The Chairman agreed to the admission of an item of urgent business in respect of a presentation of the results of a Survey on Children and Young People conducted in April 2018.

The Chairman agreed to receive a presentation in respect of the results of a Survey of Children and Young People supported by The City of London Corporation and conducted in April 2018.  Members noted that the report on the Survey’s findings was being finalised and would be presented to the next meeting of the Sub Committee and the Education Board but the Director was keen to share the headlines with Members at an early stage.  The Town Clerk advised that the presentation would be published on the public City Corporation web page for today’s meeting.

Members noted very high satisfaction levels across all results, with care users being very satisfied with their social workers and foster carers. Members of the Sub Committee had met with care leavers on several occasions and had always found them to be very engaging and content.  Offices advised that the outcomes from the survey would be reflected in the next Service Improvement Plan.  Members noted that a request for laptops to assist with school and college work had since been actioned. 

During the discussion, Members acknowledged the important of a smooth transition for care leavers into further education, work and accommodation.  One Member suggested a ‘Life Handbook’ which was used in another borough. Members noted that the Chairman of the Community and Children’s Services Committee particularly championed assistance with immigration status. 

MOTION - That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

RESOLVED - That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

Item                                                       Paragraph

10 - 17                                                             1 & 2

To approve the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2018.

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2018 were approved.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services. 

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services in respect of the London wide CiCC. 

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Whilst aiming to be as transparent as possible, Members noted that it was necessary to make some appendices non-public as the very small number of cases in the City could lead to individuals being identified. 

There were no questions.

There were no items.