Agenda and draft minutes

To consider and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 4^th November, 2025 as a true and correct record of the proceedings and to be signed by the Chair.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting held on 4^th November, 2025.

Resolved:- That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Improving Lives Select Commission, held on 4^th November, 2025 be approved as a correct record of proceedings.

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

There were no declarations of interest to report.

To consider whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any part of the agenda and whether any items should be considered under the categories suggested in accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended 2006) of the Local Government Act 1972.

Under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for:-

Agenda Item 6 (Fostering Transformation Programme – Appendix 4) on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 4 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (information Paragraph 6b (Information which reveals that the authority proposes to make an order or direction under any enactment) and (Information which reveals that the authority proposes to make an order or direction under any enactment) and Paragraph 2 (Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual).

Resolved:- That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for Minute No. 41 (Fostering Transformation Programme incorporating the Children's and Young Peoples Services Prevention of Future Death Reports) as defined in Paragraph 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual).

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

There were no questions from members of the public or press.

This report addresses the need to review the current Fostering Programme in the light of changing sufficiency needs for children and young people in care in Rotherham. This will incorporate the response of the Council to the tragic death of Marcia Grant and the formal Prevention of Future Deaths report following the inquest in July 2025.

Consideration was given to the report which sought to address the need to review the current Fostering Programme in the light of changing sufficiency needs for children and young people in care in Rotherham. This incorporated the response of the Council to the tragic death of Marcia Grant and the formal Prevention of Future Deaths’ report following the inquest in July 2025.

Councillor Cusworth, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, introduced the report highlighting how foster carers played a vital role in keeping children safe and helping them thrive.  Their contribution was deeply valued by all, but sadly a foster carer, Marcia Grant, tragically died in the spring of 2023. Heartfelt condolences were again expressed to Marcia’s family and to acknowledge the incredible work she did for the service and for Rotherham’s children.

An inquest into her death took place in July this year, during which the Council was asked to address three key issues:-

1.           How the Council could ensure there were enough placements available.

2.           How the Council could manage the forms within the placement process.

3.           How the Council could improve overall risk assessment in relation to placement decisions.

Nicola Curley, Strategic Director, outlined how the Council had responded to the Preventing Future Deaths report and how the Council had provided a detailed response. The Fostering Transformation Board would take the points forward to ensure lessons were learned and improvements continued.

By way of a presentation (included within the agenda documentation) the Strategic Director highlighted:-

·              Fostering Overview.

·              Fostering Transformation Board.

·              Incident of Concerns.

·              Findings and Prevention of Future Deaths Report.

·              Action Taken in 2023.

·              Action Taken from 3^rd September, 2025.

·              Next Steps.

Details were shared of the Learning Academy, serving the whole of Children’s Services which was currently reviewing the training offer related to risk assessments. This included how risk assessments were managed, documented, and recorded. The updated training would be made available to all staff, as it was relevant not only to fostering but also to children’s social work.

A discussion and a question-and-answer session ensued and the following were raised and clarified:-

·              Reassurance that lessons have been learned.

·              Action to increase foster carers against balancing those retiring and whilst none were lost to other fostering providers, recruitment efforts meant numbers were being maintained rather than losing ground.

·              The service had a dedicated team that actively monitored and projected numbers, looked at where improvements could be made with encouragement initiatives in place for anyone interested.

·              Rotherham was successful compared to many other areas, but what is needed is a strong middle-age group of carers. This is being addressed and will hopefully improve over time.

·              Need for reassurance that processes around seeking emergency placements were not compromised by end of day requests and the challenges facing placement capacity.

·              Unregulated provision required senior sign off and a clear hierarchy for decision-making with robust mechanisms in place. The fostering service push back if there were placement concerns. This means that foster carers say they feel valued  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

The RSCP report for 2024/25 provides an update on the key partnership activity during the year, based on the strategic priorities. The impact of the work against these priorities will be demonstrated alongside a summary of any activity by the key partner agencies. 

This item also covers what the partnership has done as a result of the arrangements, including Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews (CSPR), and how effective these arrangements have been in practice.

Consideration was given to the contents of the Rotherham Safeguarding Children's Partnership Annual Assurance Report2024/25 which provided an update on the key partnership activity during the year, based on the strategic priorities. The impact of the work against these priorities was to be demonstrated alongside a summary of any activity by the key partner agencies. 

This report also covered what the partnership had done as a result of the arrangements, including Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews (CSPR) and how effective these arrangements have been in practice.

The Chair welcomed the Cabinet Member, Chris MacDonald, Head of Safeguarding, Practice and Supportive Services and Darren Downs, Rotherham Safeguarding Children's Partnership Independent Scrutineer.

Councillor Cusworth, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, introduced the report highlighting how everyone had worked together to keep children and young people safe in Rotherham.

By way of a presentation (included within the agenda documentation) the Rotherham Safeguarding Children's Partnership Independent Scrutineer highlighted:-

·              Local Safeguarding Children’s Partnership.

·              Statutory Safeguarding Partners.

·              Rotherham SCP Governance.

·              Inspection of Partner Agencies.

·              Progress against Strategic Priorities.

The Strategic Director was pleased to add that Darren Downs, Independent Scrutineer and Chair, was praised for his effective leadership. While many authorities have moved away from independent chairs and scrutiny, Rotherham had chosen to retain this position, which was reflected in the high quality of work.

Furthermore, this added to the work with the Chief Executive in fulfilling additional responsibilities across South Yorkshire as the Council’s Lead Safeguarding Partner, following recent changes in the Working Together guidance. The collaboration was described as helpful and productive. Notable improvements included progress in the Vulnerable children in Education group and efforts around neglect, highlighted by a successful neglect conference during Safeguarding Awareness Week.

The Cabinet Member also reiterated that just to add an extra layer of assurance she met with the Safeguarding Partnership every three to six months.

A discussion and a question-and-answer session ensued and the following were raised and clarified:-

·              Delivery of training and consistent approach to improving attendance.

·              Number of home interviews offered for young people missing from home and return stood at 91.5% with the take up sitting at 84%.

·              Consistency of approach by officers and keeping track through the various meetings.

·              Communication and assurances provided to parents, carers and young people about the potential risk of online harm with the increase of enabled devices especially around this time of year with gifts.

The Chair thanked officers for their informative presentation and contributions.

Resolved:-  That the update on the RSCP Annual Assurance Report 2024-25 be received and the contents noted.

To consider and approve the Commission’s Work Programme.

The Chair invited consideration of the Improving Lives Select Commission’s Work Programme.  Since the last meeting the following was now noted:-

·              Arrangements were in hand for a dedicated workshop session to review the Thresholds of Need document as part of the Looked After Children and Care Leavers Sufficiency Strategy. 

·              Children’s Capital of Culture Workshop - Impact and Legacy for Children and Young People to be arranged late March/early April, 2026.

·              Workshop confirmed relating to the support available for women who have had one or more child removed following cessation of PAUSE Projectto be held on Monday, 2nd March, 2026 at 2.30 p.m. at the Town Hall. 

·              A slight change of agenda items for the February, 2026 meeting.  The agenda would now include the recent Ofsted Inspection Report Outcome and Educational Attainment Update.

·              The SACRE Annual Report (for information) would move to March, 2026 along with the Children Not in School Update and Community Cohesion Projects Update.

·              Notice of an agenda item coming to the Health Select Commission on 22^nd January, 2026 relating to the Safeguarding Adults Board Strategic Plan which also includes the Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report.  An invitation had been extended to include any interested Improving Lives Select Commission Members commencing at the earlier start time of 4.00 p.m.

Resolved:- That the updated Work Programme for 2025/26 be approved.

For the Chair/Project Group Leads to provide an update on the activity regarding sub and project groups of the Improving Lives Select Commission.

The Chair provided a progress report on sub and project group activity.

It was confirmed that the review into the impact of secondary school policies on school attendance levels, ensuring an education for vulnerable children and/or trauma experienced children and how this impacted the Council’s broader duties of safeguarding and school attendance had now begun to progress with some questions being prepared for circulation to secondary schools.

Once responses have been received the review would be moved forward.

Resolved:- That the update be received and the contents noted.

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

There was no urgent business.