The report of the Chief Executive (Document “K”) provides an update on activities to establish the Bradford Children & Families Trust, the progress to date and critical next steps.

There are no specific recommendations from this report.

                                    (Chris Chapman – 01274 433656)

The report of the Chief Executive (Document “K”) provided an update on activities to establish the Bradford Children & Families Trust, the progress to date and critical next steps.

The Officer provided a build-up report following the previous presentation provided in September 2022, this report outlined the update on the progress with the establishment of the Bradford Children and Families Trust (BCFT).

It was reported that the gateway review was completed in October confirmed that there was a viable, technical Critical Path, which allowed the operational and contractual establishment of the Children’s Trust by April 2023.

The Officer reported that good progress had been made with the contractual KPIs following joint workshop between the Trust and Council. The Trust had successfully made some appointments with Charlotte Ramsden appointed as the Trust Chief Executive and Julie Crellin who has been appointed as the Finance Director.

Members were keen to understand the difficulties with recruiting staff and making successful appointments and asked if the level of pay had been an issue with recruiting.

The Officer advised that it was a limited and difficult field and a challenging environment, a few key roles had been filled, this should give people some confidence. The pay may have been an issue as competition is tight, therefore work had been carried out to ensure packages were attractive.

Members sought further clarification around the issue of affordability.

The Officer reported that they would be looking at demand of service and DFE support but the level of improvement already made in Children’s Services was progress.

Members asked what happened if there was no final consensus with the final budget.

The Officer advised that all parties were looking positive at reaching an agreeable budget. Discussions would also take place with DFE around the budget and support as there were a combination of opportunities that still needed to be explored and discussed.

The Officer reported that the Trust would be executing/discharging service on behalf of the Local Authority, therefore making the Local Authority equally accountable. The Trust has formed a shadow board to ensure

Members asked as the new team has limited experience, how would it be supported for a positive outcome.

The Officer reported that the team was encouraged with positive motivation and were also encouraged to report any issues and concerns to help deal with them efficiently.

Members of the Committee made the following comments:

·         It was stressed that Members would prefer more than quarterly and annual reports.

·         Members requested for more regular and solid reports on progress and actions. The reports need to have more details on timelines of what had been achieved, fit for purpose reports.

·         Members wanted to better understand what the deal is with the Trust and what powers of the Committee would be.

·         It was suggested that the process required a facilitator that could bring everything together in order to have a more effective service delivery.

A Member of the Committee asked what steps would be taken to develop a culture where the Service can acknowledge something has gone wrong i.e the rights of elected members, policy development for elected members to be more involved.

The Officer assured members that partnership was very important to the Trust and it would ensure that there was a robust arrangement in place to keep members up to date with all progress made and actions taken.

A Member asked if there would be a review of management after the recent Ofsted inspection/report and also how the transitioning was progressing for the Trust.

The Officer reported that an update would be provided following the Ofsted report and that most staff would be moving over to the Trust and are aware of opportunities, staff had been made aware of all the possibilities and have been encouraged to raise and issues and concerns.

A member of the Committee was keen to understand if the Trust had the flexibility on they delivered the service.

The Officer reported would have operational independence and will have KPI’s in the contract, the Trust would be expected to meet statutory guidance. It was further reported that a gateway review would take place in January 2023 and a further progress report would be provided by early March.

Resolved –

(1)  That a further progress report be presented to this Committee, in early March 2023.

(2)  This Committee requests that the comments raised by members, be considered as part of the further developments of the Children’s Trust arrangements.

ACTION:  Strategic Director Place

                                                                        (Chris Chapman – 01274 433656)