Issue - meetings

The purpose of this report is to seek approval for the Service Plans for council services that are wholly or partially funded from the children’s services budget.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised that the Service Plans fro 2009/10, as attached to the report, be approved.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:      To ensure that managers in Learning, Culture and Children’s Services are in a position to implement the strategic priorities for the directorate.

Members received a report seeking approval for the Service Plans for council services that were wholly or partially funded from the Children’s Services budget.

The plans had been produced by service managers in response to the strategic plans for the authority.  Members were invited to put forward modifications to the service plans within the planning framework for the authority.

Officers were asked if there were implications arising from Lord Laming’s Report that would impact on the service plans.  They explained that the report, which had been published that day, had as its reference Lord Laming’s earlier report following the death of Victoria Climbie. The Local Authority had changed many of its practices as a result of the recommendations contained in the first report and these were now embedded in the work that it was carrying out.  The report that had been published as a result of the “Baby P” case had endorsed the recommendations contained in the first report but had highlighted issues with regard to the recommendations not having been systematically implemented. Members were informed of the key issues in the report.   Managers had already been made aware of the findings of the report and had welcomed the contents.  Although the Local Authority had already put in place Lord Laming’s original recommendations it was not complacent.  It continued to take its responsibilities in respect of the safeguarding of children very seriously and was looking to develop even further its early intervention strategies.

Concerns were expressed as to whether the targets in respect of the achievement of Looked After Children (LAC) were sufficiently challenging.  Officers explained that they had very high ambitions as to the progress of LAC but that the targets had been based on Fischer Family Trust data on the performance of children already in the system.  Details were given of the strategies that were in place to support the achievement of LAC, including personal education plans and individual tuition.  School Improvement Partners had also been asked to discuss with headteachers the tracking of progress for vulnerable and Looked After Children.

The Executive Member commended the safeguarding work that was taking place and the way in which Members and officers were able to work together effectively to promote the best outcomes for young people.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised that the Service Plans for 2009/10, as attached to the report, be approved¹.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:      To ensure that managers in Learning, Culture and Children’s Services are in a position to implement the strategic priorities for the directorate.