Agenda item

Helen Sweaton, Joint Service Director, Commissioning & Performance, and Rob Savage, Departmental Business Manager, Children and Young People’s Services, to present the Directorate’s risk register

Consideration was given to the report presented by Helen Sweaton, Joint Service Director, Commissioning & Performance, together with Rob Savage, Departmental Business Manager, Children and Young People’s Services, which detailed the Risk Register and risk management activity within the Children and Young People’s Services Directorate.

The report set out in detail the risk items which have been added or amended since the last report to Audit Committee in March 2025 and it was noted that risks were discussed and reviewed at the Directorate Leadership Team (DLT) and, where necessary, escalated to the next strategic level for inclusion on the risk register. 

As at 17^th February, 2026, the Directorate risk register contained 5 risks one of which (CYPS-01 and SLT-01) also featured on the Corporate Strategic Register.  A further CYPS risk was consolidated in the Corporate Risk Register as a Council-wide risk (CYPS-01 and SLT-16) with CYPS holding the Directorate narrative in its own register.

The Service Risk Register was derived from key risks within operational areas following escalation from a Head of Service.  These could be linked to a number of service delivery objectives such as transformation projects, service plans or outcomes from external inspections.  Escalations were made from Service level to Directorate level at the discretion of a CYPS Service Director.  In the event a risk reviewed by the CYPS Assurance Board needed escalating, this would be progressed by the CYPS Executive Director to the Strategic Leadership Team for consideration.

Discussion ensued with the following issues raised/clarified:-

·       The processes by which it was determined a risk was no longer required and removed from the register.  It was confirmed that where risks come to fruition as forecasted they are managed through task and finish groups and re-evaluated, when a decision is made.

·       The low number of risks registered in relation to a service which inherently responds to significant risks.  It was noted that a significant proportion of the risks were managed as business as usual due to the nature of the services work.  The causal factor was the classification and definitions of what was relevant for inclusion on this particular register.  Whilst the number of risks were low, their impact was potentially huge and necessitated cross-cutting multi-disciplinary activity to ensure effective management of risk.  The recent Ofsted inspection outcome was considered external validation of the service’s approach to risk management.

·       The ability to deliver savings against a consistent overspend against the budget profile in the context of the grading of the savings related risk.  It was clarified that spend control was an issue in relation to factors outside of the service and Council’s control. In terms of staffing budgets, in-house placement budgets etc, budget management was effective and savings delivered as projected.  It was accepted that the wording of the risk did not clearly reflect the position and implied incorrect grading of risk and Helen Sweaton and Rob Mahon would review and consider rewording to more accurately reflect the position.

·       The migration risks associated with the Case Management system and the steps taken to manage and mitigate risk.  Internal Audit involvement on the project board, alongside other key stakeholders was noted.

Resolved:-

That the progress and current position in relation to risk management activity in the Children and Young People’s Services Directorate, as detailed in the report now submitted, be noted.

(Appendix 1 was considered in the absence of the press and public in accordance with Paragraph 3  of the Act (Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information/financial information)