SAFEGUARDING AND LAC INSPECTION

1. SAFEGUARDING AND LAC INSPECTION

2. THE INSPECTION • Rolling programme of inspection for regarding safeguarding and Looked After Children • Gateshead and Hartlepool have been inspected in the North East • Reminder that this is an inspection of the whole of Children’s Services in Newcastle and not just Social Care

3. Focus Purpose: • Evaluate impact of Local Authority services and their partners in safeguarding children and young people through the scrutiny of the NSCB and Children’s Trust • Evaluate impact of Local Authority services and their partners in achieving better care and better outcomes for LAC and care leavers Who: • Ofsted and new Care Quality Commission (CQC) • May be joined by inspectors from other inspectorates e.g. HMI of Police Constabulary

4. The inspection process • Two week inspection programme • Starts with examination of Children’s Social Care Files • Survey of Looked After Children and Care Leavers • Broadens to interviews with key partners and staff groups • Will examine files of partner agencies and services including CAF records

5. Some Areas of Enquiry • Schools Management of Child Protection Contribution to outcomes for LAC • Integrated and Targeted Services Early intervention and Prevention and use of CAF Bullying and harassment Children missing from school School exclusions Virtual school for LAC Home education Placements children with statement D&A services – transition to Adult Services

6. Some Areas of Enquiry • Teenage Pregnancy • Young Carers • Early Intervention CAF Resources for families on edge of care • Youth homelessness • Safe recruitment • Learning Disabilities • Participation including that of vulnerable & diverse groups • Corporate Performance management arrangements • Equalities and Diversity

7. How can you prepare? • Good housekeeping regarding case management and files. • e.g Files and recording up to date, all CAFs logged with central data base • Evidence throughout assessments and record keeping of voice of child • Up to date Child Protection Training • Understanding of how your service fits in regarding the big picture – Safeguarding/Looked After Children/Early Intervention and Prevention • Knowledge of plan and key priorities for own service and Children’s Trust • Understanding of threshold criteria for Children’s Social Care avaiable on the NSCB website • Understanding of role of LSCB, Children’s Trust, MALAP • Understanding of your role as a Corporate Parent • Knowledge of the Council’s Pledge to Looked After Children

8. Outcome • We are aiming for a ‘good’ outcome • This accurately reflects the hard work of all staff and partners in improving outcomes for children across the board • Strong evidence from our performance outcomes and other inspections to support ‘good’ as an overall outcome

9. Update on Budget Proposals

10. Budget proposals approved by city council - March 2nd • Implementing proposals CS1 to CS21

11. Some proposals have required longer lead- in time • CS16 Closer integration of CSC and ITS • CS18 All age Careers Service – consultation • CS19 Sure Start and Early Years Child Care Grant activity - starting consultation • CS20 EIG - decisions to be taken on March 28th by PMRG

12. Investing time in maintaining relationships through CTB, Schools Forum etc • Maintaining focus on key outcomes for CYP But • Acutely conscious of impact on staff • Maintaining open comms channels • Minimising risk of compulsory redundancy - taking advantage of vacancies and use of targeted trawls, and continuing to test scope for non-staffing savings