Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member for Social Care and Health Integration introduced a report on the outcome of an inspection from OFSTED earlier in the year of children’s social care services, alongside the Council’s Improvement Plan in response to OFSTED’s findings.

The Cabinet Member explained that while the OFSTED inspection had identified that improvement was necessary across the board, the inspectors were very positive about the impact of the new senior leadership team, the improvements that were already being made and the positive plans for the future.  OFSTED had made six key recommendations and the Council’s Improvement Plan set out the measures that would be taken to address each recommendation, together with the target date and expected outcomes.  It was noted that OFSTED was expected to undertake a ‘focussed visit’ at some point, ahead of a full review within two years.

Cabinet Members spoke in support of the Improvement Plan and the progress being made despite the significant demands on children’s social care services in the Borough.  On that issue, the Leader called for the Government to redress the imbalance in funding through its Fairer Funding review.

Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Note the findings of the OFSTED Inspection of Children’s Services in February 2019, as set out in Appendix A to the report;

(ii)  Agree to the publication of the Council’s Improvement Plan in response to the OFSTED ILACS by 9 July 2019, as set out at Appendix B to the report; and

(iii)  Note that a report shall be presented to the Cabinet in July outlining proposals for a full Children’s Improvement Programme.