Previous reference:  Minute 12 (2015/16)

The Deputy Director (Children’s Social Care) will present a report   (Document “E”) which provides an update for Members on the progress made, to date, in respect of the on-going review of the Authority’s residential care provision.

Recommended –

That the approach being undertaken to revise the placement strategy and develop a model of care in children’s placements in the Bradford district be supported.

(Liz Perry – 01274 434869)

Previous reference: Minute 12 (2015/16)

The Deputy Director (Children’s Social Care) presented a report (Document “E”) which provided an update for Members on the progress made, to date, in respect of the on-going review of the Authority’s residential care provision.

In presenting the report the following points were highlighted:

·         Significant progress had been made in implementing the changes; recruitment to the dedicated Child and Mental Health Services (CAMHS) team was now underway; Youth Service link workers had been allocated to all homes and the building work was progressing well with some homes now completed.

·         Work was ongoing in respect of the input of the Virtual School, in particular on the specific service to be offered to the young people in the specialist homes. Work was also being undertaken in respect of the recruitment of foster carers to ensure that demand could be met in future.

·         Training of staff was underway on the different elements of the model of care which incorporated PACE (Playfulness/Acceptance/Curiosity/ Empathy) and some staff would be able to access further training on DDP (Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy) with a smaller number also accessing the higher level.  There would be PACE champions across the homes. Some staff would also be trained to enable them to train fellow practitioners.

·         The aim was for staff to be able to be responsive to the needs of the young people in the residential homes without delay.

·         The outcome of a bid to the Government Innovation Fund in relation to therapeutic support was still awaited.

·         The Authority was undertaking a programme of self assessment to ensure that the right staff with the right skills were placed in the right homes.

·         Young people had been involved throughout the process.

He responded to questions from Members:

·         All staff would receive training on the PACE model and there would be PACE champions across the homes.  There was a wish to develop expertise in each home and then to build on that in the future.

·         The size of the workforce, amongst other reasons, meant that the training programme extended from June 2016 to March 2017.

·         The provision of wider training for partner agencies was being discussed so that those people working alongside the young people had, at the very least, a knowledge of the approach being taken by the Authority.

·         The age range at Meadowlea would not change but the range at the other homes was to be altered.

·         The young people at Meadowlea had a very good record of attendance at school. The concern for a number of them was the length of their journeys to school but this was linked to the issue of maintaining as much continuity as possible.  Each home now had a vehicle that could be used to take/collect the young people from school.  This had made a huge difference both to the young people and staff making this much more like a normal school run.

·         Staff were reacting very positively to the training.

·         The desire for improved links with the local community for each home encompassed the young people being able to access all the social activities/opportunities open to them in a particular area so that they did not miss out and the encouragement of friendships with other young people from that community.  This could be activities such as Scouts or Brownies for example. A link youth worker would speak to the young people at each home to find out about their interests and look into how they might access a range of activities.

The Portfolio Holder said that the Children’s Commissioner was considering the introduction of a stability index; changes to school would be one element of this.  Best practice was to maintain as much stability as possible for a young person.

Members commented that:

·         The feedback received on Regulation 44 visits from approximately 18 months ago had indicated staff concerns in relation to having the necessary skills to assist those young people with particularly complex needs; this was now being addressed and the feedback from recent visits was positive.

·         The approach towards improving links with the community in which each home was based was welcomed.

·         The Deputy Director was thanked for an informative report; the ongoing work and the difference it was making was welcomed.

Resolved –

That the approach being undertaken to revise the placement strategy and develop a model of care in children’s placements in the Bradford district be supported.

ACTION:       Deputy Director (Children’s Social Care)