London context and the role of elected members following the Munro Review Cheryl Coppell

1. London context and the role of elected members following the Munro Review Cheryl Coppell Chair, London Safeguarding Children BoardChief Executive, LB Havering 15 June 2011

2. The London Safeguarding Children Board A multi-agency body responsible for co-ordinating child protection activity in the capital, leading on a broad range of pan-London initiatives. Membership includes: • Directors of Children’s Services and LSCB Chairs; • Commander, Met Police Child Abuse Investigation Command; • Chief Nurse and Safeguarding Lead, NHS London; • Regional Directors at NSPCC and Barnardo’s • Senior representatives from agencies such as CAFCASS, the UK Border Agency, London Probation and the Crown Prosecution Service.

3. The London Regional Safeguarding Advisers • Kay Bell, Kathy Bundred and Vivien Lines appointed in April 2010. • Project aims to help build capacity and resilience within the London child protection system. • The advisers are leading on a range of projects to help improve partnership working across London. • Available for individual boroughs to commission for support with local improvements and service developments.

4. Safeguarding supportfor elected members • London Safeguarding Development Programme for Lead Members • Guidance document: The Protection of Children in England: Leaders’ Responsibilities • London Councils Member Briefings: • Support for safeguarding children in London • The Munro Review of Child Protection • Member events

5. Elected members in the Munro Review 4.9 … it is important that the LSCB Chair manages an open channel of communication through the DCS and Chief Executive to the Lead Member and Leader of the Council so that they are all made fully aware of any areas of concern that the LSCB may have.4.10 It is equally important that the role of Lead Members for Children’s Services as ‘participant observers’ on LSCBs remains unchanged …. This unique role allows the Lead Member to retain a degree of independence enabling them to challenge, when necessary, from a well-informed position.

6. Elected members in the Munro Review (cont) Rec. 5 The existing statutory requirements for each Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) to produce and publish an annual report for the Children’s Trust Board should be amended, to require its submission instead to the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council… Rec. 7 The review recommends that local authorities give due consideration to protecting the discrete roles and responsibilities of a Director of Children’s Services and Lead Member for Children’s Services before allocating any additional functions to individuals occupying such roles, asking whether alternative approaches allow sufficient focus and attention to be paid to the nation’s most vulnerable children.

7. The importance of local leadership “Reform of the child protection system will depend heavily on strong, skilled leadership at a local level. Leaders need to know their organisations well and constantly identify what needs to be realigned in order to improve performance and manage change. Developing these leaders is, therefore, critical to success”.The Munro Review of Child Protection: Final ReportA child-centred system(section 7.4, page 106)

8. London Board response to Munro • Government must exercise careful judgement on where to scale back guidance and support to local areas • Need to fully consider the potential impact of the ongoing changes to the health service • More focus needed on the impact of expansion of the academies programme and creation of free schools • More thought around resourcing for early help • Positive message on the benefits of peer review and sector-led improvement

9. Further information London Board website: www.londonscb.gov.uk Ian Dean, London Board Managerian.dean@londoncouncils.gov.uk020 7934 9714