Issue - items at meetings - Outcome of Unannounced Ofsted Inspection

Report of the Strategic Director- People (copy attached).

11.9            RESOLVED- That the report on the outcome of the unannounced Ofsted inspection is noted.

11.1          The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, People. The report informed the Board of the outcome of the annual unannounced inspection of contact, referral and assessment arrangements with Brighton & Hove City Council’s Children’s Services. The Ofsted analysis detailed its finding under strengths, satisfactory practice, areas for development and priority actions.

11.2          The Chairman passed her recognition to social workers for their superb work and passed her thanks to the Sussex Police Authority and Social Services for their role in child protection. She noted that work was underway on the areas for development and would be monitored at a six monthly basis.

11.3          Councillor Hawkes conveyed her concern on some of the findings of the Ofsted findings in particular the delay in seeing children in need and the signing off of initial assessments by managers before they were complete. She sought reassurance on these important topics.

11.4          The report author clarified that the crucial parts of the findings focussed on children in need and workloads of the social work team. In response to this, the action plan centred upon making sure that children referred were seen quickly and through increased training that the referrals are assigned correctly.

11.5          A Member of the Board noted her concerns on the report and asked if she could have assurance on the actions on the shortcomings as the inspection was carried out four months ago.

11.6          The report author explained that there was a program of interventions devised with long-term and short-term strategies. There was now a clear pattern on initial assessments and a strategy on common assessment frameworks in place.

11.7           A Member of the Board asked how the acute impact of social services upon health care partners was being negotiated.

11.8          The report author clarified that workshops with partners had been put into place concerning tiered intervention and a development plan.

11.9          RESOLVED- That the report on the outcome of the unannounced Ofsted inspection is noted.