Agenda item

To receive a report from the Director of Children and Families providing an update on the Children and Families Transformation Agenda.

The Board received a report from the Director of Children and Families providing an overview of the work being done within the Children and Families Directorate on the transformation agenda. The report outlined the resources available for delivery, the workstreams of current and potential activity and the opportunities and challenges presented in delivering this work.

The following were in attendance for this item:

·  Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Executive Member for Economy, Culture and Education

·  Farrah Khan, Deputy Director of Children and Families – Social Work

·  Phil Evans, Chief Officer Service Transformation and Partnerships

·  Sandra Pentelow, Programme and Partnership Manager

The following issues were raised in discussion:

·  Board members welcomed plans to work more closely with colleagues in Adults Services on commissioning to assist with problems that can occur when individuals transition from children’s services to adult services and plans to lever resources on commissioning across both directorates to maximise resources and conduct joint commissioning, including with the Integrated Care Board (ICB).

·  Board members raised concerns about some of the experiences that CLA go through in Leeds following attendance at a recent takeover event focused on care leavers and those in care. Often highlighting instances of bullying, lack of knowledge amongst professionals and feeling singled out at times through their lives in care. In response the Board heard that there is priority around social work culture and social work practice to get service delivery right for those in care and care leavers not just within the Children and Families directorate but also across the partnership and other public sector organisations.

·  The Board welcomed plans for eight additional places in smaller accommodation in Leeds particularly in the context of increased costs and profits made in the private sector through fostering services and wanted to know more about plans to enhance the offer for Leeds in house foster carers. The Board were informed that a ‘mixed economy’ on foster placements was being pursued and where there is capacity in house to meet specific complex needs a targeted approach will be developed to match needs to placements. In addition, further training and support is being considered to meet complex needs that would enable more placements to meet needs whilst reducing costs and also accommodating more children and young people in the city. Increased payments to foster careers are also being considered as part of this approach.

·  Members raised questions in respect of EHCPs and legal fees that can arise through tribunals. In response members were informed of the ongoing work on EHCPs which the Board is also carrying out an inquiry on. A request was made by the Chair on legal/tribunal costs associated with EHCPs and also the percentage of tribunal cases that are won by families. It was agreed that this would be provided outside of the meeting.

·  Members referred to previous inquiry work done by the Board on transport costs within the directorate, it was agreed that a written response will be provided on this.

·  The turning the Curve work stream was mentioned by Board members with reference to a renewed scoping exercise that is taking place. It was agreed that a further update would be provided on this and that it could come back to the board at a future meeting by way of update.

Resolved

The Board noted the contents of the report and asked for:

a)  The legal/tribunal costs associated with EHCP tribunal cases in Leeds and the percentage of these cases that were won by families

b)  Further details on transport costs and the work previously undertaken by scrutiny in this area

c)  A report or additional details on the ‘turning the curve’ work stream at a future meeting of the Board.