Agenda item

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Policy and Performance presenting an overview of performance against the priority outcomes relevant to the Children’s Services Scrutiny Board, including an analysis of performance indicator results at the end of Quarter 2.

The Head of Policy and Performance submitted a report which presented an overview of performance against the priority outcomes relevant to the Children’s Services Scrutiny Board, including an analysis of performance indicator results at the end of Quarter 2.

The following information was appended to the report for Members’ information:

Appendix 1 – Summary sheet showing the overall progress rating against the improvement priorities relevant to the Children’s Services Scrutiny Board.

Appendix 2 – Amber and red rated action trackers, including a contextual update and key performance indicator results.

Appendix 3 – Performance Indicator report containing quarter 2 results for all performance indicators which can be reported in year from the National Indicator set and relevant key local indicators.

The Chair welcomed to the meeting Councillor Golton, Executive Member (Children’s Services) and Councillor Harker, Executive Member (Learning).

In addition, the following officers attended the meeting:

-  Keith Burton, Deputy Director of Children’s Services;

-  Chris Edwards, Chief Executive (Education Leeds);

-  Jackie Wilson, Chief Officer for Children and Young People’s Social Care; and

-  Nicola Engel, Head of Performance, Policy and Improvement, Children’s Services.

The Deputy Director of Children’s Services reported on particular areas of concern following the recent inspection of Children’s Services:

-  Outcomes for looked after children

-  The number of children needing to go into care

-  Safeguarding procedures

-  NEET

-  Educational achievement of vulnerable groups and 

-  Attendance levels.

Key performance issues were then highlighted and in brief summary the main areas of discussion were:

• The need to focus on performance indicators allocated an amber traffic light status, particularly those at risk of becoming red.
• Concern about overall progress made in relation to teenage conception.  The Board was advised that appropriate actions were now in place and that this was recognised at the national level of monitoring.
• The role of housing services in supporting young parents.
• Preventative work with young men, and support for young fathers, especially in ensuring access to relevant services.
• The socio-economic context, particularly issues around NEET figures and teenage conception.
• The role of Area Committees in monitoring local performance, identifying priorities and recommending improvements to localised delivery.
• Concerns about the increase in social care referrals.  The Board was advised that 8 Advanced Practitioners were due to start in the new year.
• Confirmation that the post of Head of Integrated Services for Looked After Children was being advertised shortly.
• The recently announced Improvement Board, and the relationship with the Scrutiny Board.

RESOLVED – That the report and information appended to the report be noted.