Agenda and minutes

To receive declarations of interest from Members in respect of items listed on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any part of the agenda.

The Chair confirmed there was no reason to exclude members of press or public from observing any items on the agenda.

To receive questions relating to items of business on the agenda from members of the public or press who are present at the meeting.

The Chair confirmed that no questions had been submitted.

To receive communications from the Chair in respect of matters within the Commission’s remit and work programme.

There were no communications.

The chair confirmed that the next meeting of Corporate Parenting Panel was scheduled to be held on 13 September, commencing at 4.30 pm.

This report outlines data analysis which provides an overview of trends in safeguarding demand, consistency of thresholds and quality of service. The data relates to period ending 30 April 2022 (2021/22 Quarter 4) with comparison where possible to previous quarters and financial years.

Recommendations:

1.    Progression to enquiry – With the low progression rate from safeguarding concern to section 42 enquiry, further work to understand what is being referred as a safeguarding concern is required.

2.    Missing data – The report notes that there are missing fields and therefore no data available. The work that has commenced on developing a new case management system will ensure that all reportable fields are mandatory and therefore will be captured, it is envisaged that that this will be finished and in place in the autumn.

Consideration was given to an update in respect of Adult Safeguarding Performance Data corresponding to Quarter 4 of 2021/2022. The presentation described the foundational principles of safeguarding which categorise performance measures and associated data. These are proportionality of trends in safeguarding demand, prevention thresholds, partnership with police, accountability for quality of health and care provision, protection through timely completion of inquiries and safeguarding adult reviews, and empowerment through collection of views and wishes and meeting personal outcomes. Data was shared associated with each principle. Followed by to anonymised customer stories exemplifying safeguarding activity and involvement bringing about positive results.

In discussion, Members noted that information coming through to the service may meet complex case thresholds, but not meet the threshold for safeguarding. More information was requested around what to do if there were complex but not safeguarding level concerns raised. The response from officers noted that if there was not a threshold for safeguarding met, there may be an appropriate alternative action. The service was working with partners and with police to ensure they were aware of the appropriate way of dealing with specific alerts. The forthcoming 7-minute informational videos were helping inform partners of what the thresholds are. Members requested that these videos be circulated upon availability.

How are we keeping people from posing as carers, how are we validating their roles? The response from officers noted that it is crucial to protect against financial abuse, which is the greatest one. Wider work is ongoing and warranted given the rising instances of abuse. We do receive a number of alerts from banks which are vigilant to prevent fraud, and we are aware that this is an area of growing need.

It was noted that RDaSH have approximately 50% progressed, which suggests they are getting it right. Members requested more information around how effective signposting be improved among other partners in line with the RDaSH progression rates. The response from officers noted that the service Manager meets regularly with police officers regarding the use of the app. The Q4 report showed the rates coming in from Police had decreased. It was noted that part of the work of the Adults Safeguarding Board is to undertake dip sampling in the auditing of safeguarding referral data.

Members requested more information in respect of cases that did not go on to full review. The response from officers noted that if a Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR) were found not to be the best way forward, for example, there might be a serious case review or a thematic learning review. It was noted that lessons will always be learned. Members noted that it would be helpful to receive information in respect of the majority to ensure that people who are in a dire situation are given timely and appropriate help. Members requested to have a demonstration of timelines and pathways for interventions of various kinds.

Members requested to know more about the cause of significant increase in the number of reports. The response from officer  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

The report includes the performance outturn for the reporting year April 2021 to March 2022 for Children and Young People’s Services.  It includes areas of performance that are working well alongside other areas where a continued focus is required.

Recommendations:

The Improving Lives Select Commission is asked to:

1.    Consider the CYPS Performance Scorecard for March 2022 (Out-turn 2021/2022) as attached – Appendix 1

2.    Note that work is ongoing to simplify and improve Performance reporting, ensuring focus remains directed at key strategic (benchmarked) and operational (activity/demand) measures

Consideration was given to a performance report introduced by the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People and presented by CYPS officers. The report included information in respect of first-time entrants, numbers in social care, placement stability, repeat numbers reducing, number of people on child protection plans, timely interventions, completion of dental assessments, early education placements, Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) timely completion, work ongoing to refine reporting, and key benchmark and operational demand and activity.

The presentation provided context and overview of governance, which included a description of Quarterly Assurance Day, when the service reviews the cases of individual children to examine how the cases have been managed. Practice learning days are also part of the learning process. The service generated 319 performance measures in total. Some are benchmarked, whilst some internal measures are not publishable data so cannot be benchmarked. Current work to strengthen internal score card and inclusion data will soon be included as well. Early Help and Family Engagement highlights were shared also, highlighting compliance against target timescales. Not in Education And Training (NEAT) areas for continued development were also identified, in particular, registration rates at children’s centres of children living in the most deprived areas of the Borough. Published Youth Justice Board Data also showed a reducing trend of first-time entrants. Children’s social care highlights were also shared, including reduction of re-referrals and static cohort receiving support for CSE/CCE, timeliness of assessments, and reduction of LAC numbers overall. Education highlights including SEND inclusion were presented. Next steps were also described, for example, the intention to group benchmarked performance measures where possible for more reader-friendly presentation of data.

In discussion, Members requested to know more about whether registration rates could be skewed by postal codes. Members requested clarification as to whether two-year-olds with an early education placement also had their attendance verified? The response from officers noted that eligibility rules meant that children residing in Rotherham were eligible to register with Rotherham children’s centres. Where a child lives very close to the border and there are extra places, a child may be allowed to enrol at a well-run centre. Attendance data was not centrally kept, but Early Years services liaised with providers and monitored young people with special needs and disabilities. There was regular conversation around the placement of a child.

Members also expressed interest in learning more about the potential for dentists to go into schools or for other links with education to be maximised to aid formation of healthy prevention habits. The response from officers noted that the designated nurses are tenacious about ensuring that looked after children receive their dental checks. A challenge was that these are due on a revolving basis. When they were completed, they would need to be arranged again in six months’ time.

Members noted areas in the data where percentages were given where tallies would be useful along with trajectory and target information. The response from officers noted that the scorecard identifies the direction of travel and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

To consider and approve the Commission’s Work Programme.

Consideration was given to an outline work programme for 2021/22 scrutiny activity.

Resolved:-

1.    That the Work Programme for 2021/22 be approved.

For the Chair/project group leads to provide an update on the activity regarding sub and project groups of the he Improving Lives Select Commission.

There was no update to report on sub and project group activity.

To consider any item(s) the Chair is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.

There was no urgent business.

The next meeting of the Improving Lives Select Commission take place on 6 September 2022 commencing at 10am in Rotherham Town Hall.