Agenda and minutes
PDF 382 KBVenue: Ashcombe, County Hall, Kingston upon Thame, KT1 2DN
Contact: Andy Spragg
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS
Minutes: Apologies were received from Marisa Heath, Adrian Page and Christopher Townsend. Chris Pitt, Nick Harrison and Carol Coleman attended as substitutes. |
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MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING: 4 March 2016
To agree the minutes as a true record of the meeting. Minutes: The minutes of the meeting on 04/03/16 were approved as a true and accurate record of the meeting. |
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests from Members in respect of any item to be considered at the meeting.
Notes: · In line with the Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012, declarations may relate to the interest of the member, or the member’s spouse or civil partner, or a person with whom the member is living as husband or wife, or a person with whom the member is living as if they were civil partners and the member is aware they have the interest. · Members need only disclose interests not currently listed on the Register of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests. · Members must notify the Monitoring Officer of any interests disclosed at the meeting so they may be added to the Register. · Members are reminded that they must not participate in any item where they have a disclosable pecuniary interest.
Minutes: The following Declarations of Interest were noted:
Nick Harrison asked that it was noted by the Board that he was a member of the Children’s Improvement Board. |
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QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS
To receive any questions or petitions.
Notes: 1. The deadline for Member’s questions is 12.00pm four working days before the meeting (Friday 6 May 2016 ). 2. The deadline for public questions is seven days before the meeting (Thursday 5 May 2016) 3. The deadline for petitions was 14 days before the meeting, and no petitions have been received. Minutes: There were no questions or petitions. |
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RESPONSES FROM THE CABINET TO ISSUES REFERRED BY THE SCRUTINY BOARD
There were no referrals to Cabinet so there are no responses to report. Minutes: There were no items referred. |
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REPORT FROM INTERIM HEAD FOR CHILDREN'S SERVICES
Purpose of report:
To update the Board on the key areas of focus for the Interim Head for Children’s Services.
Minutes: Witnesses: Key points raised during the discussion:
1.
The Board was informed that the Interim Head of
Children’s Services would work to correct a lack of focus by
introducing new Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and reduce the
level of bureaucracy within the service. A particular example was
given with regard to reducing documentation length in order to
improve expedient decision-making. 2. The Interim Head of Children’s Services identified 7 initial key areas of focus: · To reduce the processing length of the Child Protection Plan (CCP) to 18 months · To ensure that children under 16s assessment is complete within 45 days · Pathway Plans made more regular for children · To look at Long Distance Services and how best to deliver them · To look at proportions of children with disability plans compared with children in need · To look at provisions concerning missing children.
3.
The Chairman of the Board commended the conciseness
of the report and suggested that future reports from the service
should be similar in nature. The Board also expressed its
appreciation of the Interim Head of Children’s Services
desire to redress the level of bureaucracy within the Service and
provide clear objectives.
4.
Officers advised the Board that there were a series
of three month audit reports that could be put before the Board for
scrutiny. The Board was also informed that the service’s
improvement plan was being rewritten to reflect this increased
focus.
5.
The Board asked for clarification on why the service
would seek to reduce the time children were on Child Protection
Plans, and whether this would increase the risk to the child.
Officers advised that 18 months was considered too risk intensive
for a child to be on a Child Protection Plan, and that and these
issues should be tackled earlier. It was also suggested that
escalation has been too slow and that an ideal way to combat this
was to relaunch the Salford Neglect
Checklist.
6.
The Interim Head of Children’s Service
confirmed that, due to the large nature of the Council and high
staff turnover, the results of the Ofsted report of June 2015were
not always apparent to these new staff members, however that
processes were in place to ensure that all staff in the service
were fully aware of the report and the context it provided for
improvement. 7. The Cabinet Member for Children and Families’ Wellbeing expressed that, in co-ordination with the work of the Interim Head of Children’s Service the Public Value Transformation Programme (PVT),Special Education Needs and Disabilities 2020 Strategy (SEND 2020), Early Help (EH) and the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) are all contributing to the improvement of Children’s Services. The Council’s positive relationship with the Surrey Safeguarding Children’s Board (SSCB) and partners including the ... view the full minutes text for item 33/16 |
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2015-20 YOUTH JUSTICE STRATEGIC PLAN REVIEW
Purpose of the report: Scrutiny of Services and Review.
In March 2015, the Children and Education Select Committee (now the Social Care Services Board) made two recommendations in relation to Surrey’s Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2015-20 and requested an update after 12-months. The recommendations were:
- That Surrey’s Youth Justice Partnership Board (YJPB) undertake evaluation with the probation service to understand what impact early youth justice interventions have on reducing long-term adult offending, and share these findings with the Committee at a later stage.
- That officers provide a report on the Reducing Re-offending Plan 2014-17 with details of how the Youth Support Service (YSS) and partners are working to address homelessness, NEET status and mental and emotional health issues as known factors in relation to re-offending.
The Board also requested a general update on Year 1 progress in relation to the Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2015-20, which is provided in this report. Additional documents: Minutes: Witnesses: Key
points raised during the discussion:
1.
The Cabinet Associate for
Children, Schools and Families introduced the council’s work
with the Youth Justice System, describing it as a primarily
preventative role, and added that children not in employment,
education or training (NEET) and children who are displaced are the
ones at highest risk of offending. The Board was informed that the
low level of NEETs within Surrey, as well as the work that the
council has done to prevent youth homelessness, an effort that had
been commended by the Department for Education (DfE), has ensured
that there were a low level of children who fall within this risk
category.
2.
The Head of Youth Support Services
highlighted the drop in youths within the criminal justice system;
the number of youths being within the system 7-8 years ago being
approximately 2000 to 127 being within it in 2015; and the number
of youths in the prison system being five in the same year. This
was commented on as being the lowest number of youths in the
criminal justice system for a large authority in the UK. 3. The Board expressed concern about repeat offenders and asked what preventative measures were being used. Officers commented that the rate of repeat offenders was at its lowest point, and that youths convicted once were less likely to reoffend due to the preventative services provided. The Board was informed that a more integrated local service was the best method for further prevention, as well as ensuring youths were encouraged to be in work, education or employment.
4.
The Board highlighted that detection
rates of offenses committed were low in Surrey and questioned
whether this had any impact upon the figures relating to youths in
the youth justice system. Officers commented that, while this was a
point that would be best answered by Surrey Police, it was unlikely
that this was a primary reason for the low level of youths in the
youth justice system.
5.
The Board was informed that the Youth Restorative
Initiative’s (YRI) progress and performance was measured
through external evaluations, and that the results were positive,
suggesting that this was confirming the Surrey system's
approach.
6.
The Board was informed that that there
had been an optimistic response from the Child and Adolescent
Mental Health Service (CAMHS). It was highlighted that a more
ambitious CAMHS model with an emphasis on Early Help was being
developed, providing a vital preventative resource. The Board was
informed that the impact of these changes would be measurable in 12
months time. 7. The Board expressed concern regarding the effects of academisation on school partnerships with the Council and their capability to prevent children becoming NEET. Officers responded that there was a challenge with regard to schools having greater autonomy, but that the council was working to build on and improve these partnerships with schools. The Cabinet Associate for ... view the full minutes text for item 34/16 |
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INTERNAL AUDIT REPORT: REVIEW OF FOSTER CARE SERVICE ARRANGEMENTS
Purpose of the report: Scrutiny of Services
To review the summary of audit findings and Management Action Plan produced as a result of an internal audit review of Foster Care Service Arrangements Additional documents: Minutes: Witnesses: Key points raised
during the discussion:
1.
Officers highlighted that the internal audit report
focused on processes and record keeping, and highlighted that there
were no specific concerns on the quality of care provided. Officers
indicated that they had taken immediate steps to rectify the issues
found within the audit report and the result of these changes would
be measured in a further audit later in the year, while also
assuring the Board that all High Priority recommendations were
tracked to ensure that they will be addressed promptly.
2.
The Board expressed concern regarding Foster Carer
training, citing an example where training was cancelled at the
last minute. Officers responded that training was a longstanding
issue within Foster Care Services and that there was a challenge
concerning accessibility. It was suggested that there was a
necessity to balance cost efficiency with necessity, but that it
was clear from the audit report that work still needed to be done
in this area.
3.
Officers confirmed that work was being undertaken
with the electronic record keeping systems to improve it and ensure
better linkage and user friendliness. It was highlighted that the
population of children who are Looked After was subject to frequent
changes, and this created difficulties in ensuring that all of
these children’s data is updated effectively. 4. The Board expressed concern with the results of the audit report, suggesting that it suggested that there was a probability of problems elsewhere in the system. The Board discussed whether input from foster carers themselves might be beneficial to the process of ascertaining and resolving issues. The Cabinet Associate for Children, Schools and Families assured the member that relations between the Fostering Executive and the Foster Care Service had been reinstated, and recommended that the Fostering Executive give the Board their views on this matter. Recommendations: a) The Board notes with concern the Internal Audit recommendations and will review the outcome of the service’s actions to improve in the follow-up audit.
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ADULT SOCIAL CARE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR'S UPDATE
The Strategic Director for Adult Social Care and Public Health will update the Board with any news or announcements from the Directorate. Minutes: Witnesses: Key
points raised during the discussion:
1.
The Strategic Director for Adult Social Care and
Public Health began by providing an update on the on the subject of
the six older people’s care home closures, stating that phase
one of three had been completed and that phase two was nearing
completion with 31 July the date for final closure with residents
supported to move by 30 June. 2. It was confirmed by the Strategic Director for Adult Social Care and Public Health that there were provisions in place to provide better accommodation to replace the closed locations, and that, while the residents and their families had not agreed with the closures they had been positive about the support they had received from Adult Social Care.
3.
The Board asked for further information on the
future of the buildings following closure. Officers responded that
the Accommodation for Care and Support Team would be looking at all
available options. Officers and the Cabinet Member for Adult Social
Care, Wellbeing and Independence assured
the Board that they would be kept updated regarding any decision
made relating to this issue. 4. The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Wellbeing and Independence explained the budget situation to the Board, and that the council has ended the financial year in a better budgetary position than forecast. It was clarified that the 2% council tax increase, at a total of around £12 million, would be spent to meet the increased demand on Adult Social Care though this would not cover the gap in funding.
5. The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Wellbeing and Independence highlighted the role of health and social integration in the year ahead, and commented on the benefit of a single point of contact for the patient as well as the possibility for savings but advised that this was the single biggest area of risk. Officers highlighted that there was a video explaining the benefits of health and social care integration and suggested the Board reviewed this. The topic of hospital discharge was discussed and how this was difficult but Surrey hospitals benefited from the council’s seven day working rota.
Action/Further information to be
shared: Film on the benefits of health and social care integration in Surrey provided to the Board.
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THE TRANSITION TEAM
Purpose of the report: Performance Management
To consider the recommendations to ensure the Transitions team are able to effectively provide essential services to vunerable young adults and their families. Additional documents: Minutes: Witnesses: Key points raised
during the discussion: 1. Officers outlined that the small learning disabilities team had expanded to all young people in the 18-25 year old transition period between childhood and adulthood. It was explained that this team is working with the relevant children's team to prepare young people for adulthood, this includes young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The team works closely with colleges and other appropriate providers. The Board was informed that the numbers of young people moving into the Transition Team was increasing, resulting in individual officers carrying higher caseloads. This has led to an increasing number of young people with SEND provisions under the care of the Transition Team.
2. The Board was informed that officers were taking steps to streamline the transition process. This involved the offering of support to children with SEND at an earlier stage in partnership with health groups and CAMHS to develop a local offer. It was outlined that the team was building their business case around difficult to place children, in order to streamline the overall process.
3.
The Board asked what gaps there were in current
service provisions, and were informed that there was a difficulty
in the current system of meeting the requirements of high need
cases including children with autism and challenging behaviours.
Officers outlined that this was particularly in the case of
children who had dual needs. The Board was informed that in order
to meet this demand, the team was working with voluntary
groups.
4.
The Board asked for clarification regarding SEND
transport and the mechanism that was in place for transition age
children. The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Wellbeing and
Independence answered that there was an inclusion program in place
to increase community links with children with SEND. This would
allow a SEND child to build their own links with transport, both
reducing costs and also enabling the child to gain greater
knowledge of the environment and improve inclusion. 5. The Board asked for details about housing provision for people with SEND, and its relation to the housing shortage in the Surrey region. Officers responded that there was a supported living arrangement in place for some young people with SEND and that the council had a number of providers to assist with this provision. It was noted that more work needed to be done with relation to provision for SEND children who are homeless, have challenging behavioural attitudes or are within the youth justice system. Recommendations: The Board supports the plans outlined to meet the transition challenges. Recommends that officers return to the Board with a report that reviews the impact these plans have had on: · the number of out-of-county placements and residential packages · timeliness of reviews; and · Adult Social Care and Children’s Services spending. |
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LEARNING DISABILITY COMMISSIONING STRATEGY AND TRANSFORMING CARE
Purpose of the report: Scrutiny of Services and Budgets/Policy Development and Review
This report provides an overview of the Surrey Learning Disability and Autism Commissioning Strategy and ‘ Transforming Care’ in Surrey. Additional documents: Minutes: Witnesses: Key
points raised during the discussion: 1. The Strategic Lead for People with Learning Disabilities and Transforming Care outlined how the Surrey Learning Disability and Autism Commissioning Strategy (SLDACS) and the Transforming Care in Surrey Strategy (TCSS) were progressing and the reasoning behind current successes. Officers noted that a good understanding of the demographic trends of SEND children had allowed the service to target its funding more effectively in order to improve the quality of service. However, it was noted that the service needed improvement with regard to ensuring people have settled accommodation and officers recommended that the Board view scrutiny of this as a priority.
2. The Board asked whether there was a programme of provision for SEND housing within this strategy. Officers responded that NHS England would be releasing capital funding for this provision and that £21 million of NHS granted property that was currently not currently being used effectively was being made available, suggesting that both of these items being utilised in conjunction with one another would be adequate to support the housing provision required. The Board was informed that there was a need to speed up work with this provision, and officers recommended that, due to a new strategic plan and focus, that they were confident that partners were willing to work with the council to fulfil this.
3.
The Board queried the risks associated with future
budgetary cuts to the service. Officers replied that the cap on
housing benefit may prove to be a major concern for the future as
the council could struggle to help people move from residential to
supported housing. There was also mentioned the issue of closures
of homes that offered publically funded places but the Board were
informed that Adult Social Care was working with the care sector to
design and cost a realistic solution to Surrey residents’
needs. Recommendations: The Board notes and supports the work programme and will welcome a progress update in the future.
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RECOMMENDATIONS TRACKER AND FORWARD WORK PROGRAMME
The Board is asked to review its Recommendation Tracker and Forward Work Programme providing comment as necessary. Additional documents: Minutes: The Board approved the current recommendations tracker and forward work programme. |
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DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Committee will be held at Thursday 23 June 2016 at 10.00am
Minutes: The next meeting of the Board will be held at 10.00am on 23 June 2016. |