Agenda item

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.