(Members Code of Conduct – Part 4A of the Constitution)

To receive disclosures of interests from members and co-opted members on matters to be considered at the meeting. The disclosure must include the nature of the interest.

An interest must also be disclosed in the meeting when it becomes apparent to the member during the meeting.

Notes:

(1)       Members must consider their interests, and act according to the following:

(2)       Disclosable pecuniary interests relate to the Member concerned or their spouse/partner.

(3)       Members in arrears of Council Tax by more than two months must not vote in decisions on, or which might affect, budget calculations, and must disclose at the meeting that this restriction applies to them.  A failure to comply with these requirements is a criminal offence under section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. 

(4)       Officers must disclose interests in accordance with Council Standing Order 44.

The following declarations were made in the interest of trasparency:

(i)             Cllr Zaman stated that his daughter was employed as a social worker in Bradford.

(ii)            Cllr Elahi stated that his daughter was employed as a business advisor to the Integrated Front Door (IFD).

(Access to Information Procedure Rules – Part 3B of the Constitution)

Reports and background papers for agenda items may be inspected by contacting the person shown after each agenda item.  Certain reports and background papers may be restricted. 

Any request to remove the restriction on a report or background paper should be made to the relevant Strategic Director or Assistant Director whose name is shown on the front page of the report. 

If that request is refused, there is a right of appeal to this meeting. 

Please contact the officer shown below in advance of the meeting if you wish to appeal. 

(Kav Amrez / Louis Kingdom – 07929 070228 / 07890 416570)

There were no appeals submitted by the public to review decisions to restrict documents.

Any referrals that have been made to this Committee up to and including the date of publication of this agenda will be reported at the meeting.

There were no referrals to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The CEO of Bradford Children and Families Trust (BCFT) will submit a report (Document “R”) that presents a Progress Report on the Improvement Plan detailing the progress made since July up to November 2023 and the next steps of the Bradford Children and Families Trust (BCFT).

Recommended –

The Committee is invited to note this report, the new Improvement Plan and the Quarter 4 Progress Report (see appendices).

(Ruth Terry - ruth.terry@bradfordcft.org.uk)

The report of the Chief Executive Officer of Bradford Children and Families Trust (BCFT) (Document “R”) presented a Progress Report on the Improvement Plan that detailed the progress made since July up to November 2023 and the next steps of the Bradford Children and Families Trust (BCFT). The BCFT Executive Director of Social Care and Practice summarised the report and outlined the priorities contained within both the business plan and the wider strategic plans of the Trust. The Committee were informed that in relation to the Integrated Front Door training had been refreshed and key performance indicators (KPI’s) were improving.

A Member asked about the membership composition of the Improvement Board and was told that the board had been set up by the Department for Education (DfE) and had been in place since 2018. The membership of the Improvement Board was detailed, and Members were assured that the Council were represented by the Leader of the Council, the Chief Executive, the Portfolio Holder for Children and Families as well as the Strategic Director of Children’s Services.

When asked about the recruitment and training of foster carers the Executive Director of Social Care and Practice explained that recruitment was an issue nationally as there had been a decrease in interest, the work done by the Trust to promote and encourage foster caring alongside increasing engagement was detailed. It was added that a Training and Development Officer had recently been recruited which would provide more training options for new foster carers.

A Member noted the reduction in the number of contacts detailed within the Improvement Plan and asked if it had been a case in the past of an automatic Police Protection Notice (PPN). The Committee were informed that the Police were encouraged to refer concerns so if a child was present at an incident of crime a PPN would be issued. It was explained that the quality of PPN’s had improved, and this allowed risks to be identified. Members sought clarity whether al crimes were incorporated into PPN figures if a child was present, and it was confirmed that it would only be in instances where the Police had safeguarding concerns.

The Executive Director of Social Care and Practice was asked about data contained within the Improvement Plan, specifically the 2669 contacts in December, of which 706 contacts were from the Police and only 387 were given information and advice. It was explained that the remainder of contacts where information and advice had not been given would have referred to a social worker or the Integrated Front Door.

A Member asked about early help assessments, specifically why the number of assessments was decreasing. The importance of Early Help was stressed, and it was explained that the data only included assessments by the Trust’s own early help services. Members were informed that early help assessments were also completed by partner agencies.

It was highlighted that the Ofsted report in August 2023 had highlighted issues with timeliness and the quality of assessments, Members  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

The Strategic Director of Children’s Services will submit a report (Document “S”) which provides an update regarding the quality assurance and audit process in the Children and Families Trust, April 2023 to November 2023.

Recommended –

That the next steps are endorsed to continue to support practice improvement.

(Amandip Johal – 07773 248040)

The report of the Strategic Director of Children’s Services (Document “S”) provided an update regarding the quality assurance and audit process in the Children and Families Trust, April 2023 to November 2023. The Assistant Director for Safeguarding, Quality Assurance, and Professional Practice summarised the report and told the Committee that there had been progress in terms of auditing and quality assurance processes. It was explained that the Quality Assurance activity mirrored the areas of concern raised by Ofsted and sought to address such concerns. Members were informed that audit returns had previously been an issue, but the return rate had increased to 76% in January 2024 which could provide greater understanding, and an opportunity to reflect and learn.

Members highlighted the table within the report that indicated only 1 audit had been graded outstanding in 7 months and asked if this example had been circulated to other teams as an example. Members were informed that the aim was to create a portfolio of good practice.

The Committee discussed the audit process, and it was confirmed that audits would be completed by a manager and that support was available to complete the audit. The Committee noted the increase in audit returns and asked what had been done differently to increase engagement. The Assistant Director for Safeguarding, Quality Assurance, and Professional Practice explained that the importance of audit returns had been stressed and highlighted that it was good practice.

A Member asked how far back an audit would go, specifically in scenarios where a child had several different social workers. Officers informed the Committee that audits focussed on the last 6 months.

Attention was drawn to the section of the report that addressed children subject to Child in Need Plans over 12 months which identified that 71% of children were receiving regular visits. Officers were asked why the remaining percentage were not in contact and it was explained that this could be due to a lack of engagement and families not wanting to engage with the service.

A Member asked about newly qualified social workers and if they possessed the appropriate practical skills. Officers told the Committee that all new staff were supported with learning and development as it was important to enable staff to build practical skills.

Officers were asked about the prebirth panel, and it was explained that it was a multiagency panel including health colleagues that was chaired by a service manager within the Bradford Children and Families Trust. The purpose of the panel was to enable mothers to meet the needs of their child when it arrives and that mothers would be referred to the service.

Resolved –

That a progress report be presented in 12 months.

To be actioned by:  Assistant Director, Bradford Children and Families Trust.

                                                   (Amandip Johal – 07773 248040)

The report of the Chair of the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Document “T”) includes the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee work programme for 2023/24.

Recommended –

(1)           That members consider and comment on the areas of work included in the work programme.

(2)           That members consider any detailed scrutiny reviews that they may wish to conduct.

(Mustansir Butt – 01274 432574)

The report of the Chair of the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Document “T”) included the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee work programme for 2023/24. The work programme was briefly discussed by the Committee, and it was confirmed that the Child Poverty Scrutiny Review as well as a report about persistent absence in school would be presented to the Committee in the future.

Resolved –

That the Committee discussed and amended the work programme.

To be actioned by – Overview & Scrutiny Lead

                                                              (Mustansir Butt – 07582 101597)