Agenda item

To receive an update on children’s safeguarding in Hampshire.

The Committee received the annual safeguarding report for Children’s Services from the Director of Children’s Services (Item 8 in the Minute Book).

Members were taken through the report and attention was drawn to key issues such as the outcomes of Ofsted inspections of Hampshire Children’s Services as detailed in Section 3 of the report.  Section 4 of the report highlighted child exploitation which was also an area of national concern, and ‘County Lines’ remained an area of emerging concern for Hampshire’s Children’s Services and other agencies concerned with children.  The work of the Willow team was explained which was a multi agency team consisting of specialist social workers and health professionals, working with Hampshire constabulary to protect the highest risk children.  It was noted that there had been an increase in exploitation of children to become involved in the dealing of class A substances, and work was continuing to work with children involved to recognise the situation as exploitation.

Section 4 of the report also highlighted work with unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC), and it was heard that the port of Portsmouth was a main point of entry for these children with a knock on effect as children seek asylum in Hampshire.  The report detailed the number of UASC looked after by Hampshire and also highlighted proposed new local safeguarding arrangements between partners as set out in paragraph 4.14 of the report, and it was heard that work was being undertaken to develop new arrangements in Hampshire.

Members noted the figures relating to contacts, referrals and safeguarding activity as set out in the table in paragraph 5.2 of the report, and it was noted that there had been an increase in the number of contacts in 2017/18.  It was heard that the majority of referrals were predominantly from the police and education service.  In relation to Section 47 investigations going to ICPC, it was explained that this had remained at around 45% over the last five years, and this was seen to reinforce that thresholds were being consistently applied.

Officers highlighted Child Protection Plans and Members were taken through the figures relating to these in paragraph 5.7 of the report, and attention was drawn to the percentage rise in the number of children subject to a plan for neglect.    It was also heard that the rise in the number of new UASC has attributed to the overall rise in children becoming looked after by Hampshire.  The costs of placements was also rising, with national demand outstripping supply and causing increasing pressures on budgets.

Section 6 of the report highlighted a key issue of recruitment and retention of social workers.  Where there were issues with recruitment, it was heard that suitably qualified agency workers were needed to fill these posts.  Members heard that the establishment of an agency by the County Council in partnership with Kent County Council, would look to source and supply social workers, with a view to these becoming permanent employees over time.  The social work graduate entry training scheme was also highlighted as enabling Hampshire to recruit newly qualified social workers, but the importance of guiding and protecting newly graduated social workers was stressed.

Members noted the future challenges and priorities for Children’s Services as set out in Section 7 of the report. The findings of the recent focused visit by Ofsted to the County Council’s children’s services department was summarised in the Appendix to the report, and it was explained that the visit focussed on the arrangements for children subject to a child protection plan, and the department wanted assurance of their performance in this particularly difficult and sensitive area.  Officers highlighted the very positive feedback received from Ofsted with Senior Leaders being seen to have a clear vision for continually improving services for vulnerable children in Hampshire.  Morale was also seen to be good, and the system effective for children.  The areas for improvement were explained to Members and it was heard that these would be addressed. 

Councillor Porter declared a personal interest as the Chair of a Pre-School that receives special educational needs funding.

In response to questions, Members heard:

·         That with issues such as ‘County Lines’ it was seen that some vulnerable children would need to be placed in care outside of the Hampshire area, to ensure they were protected from the people who had exploited them.

·         That the introduction of new technology such as Office 365 software enabled social workers access to facilities such as Skype and Facetime, which enabled greater flexibility in their work.  It had also enabled the ability to have ‘instant’ conversations with children and young people if the need arose.

·         That the forthcoming Hampshire County Council Children’s Services budget proposals would not have a negative impact on the children’s safeguarding budget.

·         That in relation to the graduate training scheme, it was important to demonstrate to graduates the benefits of working for Hampshire County Council, and ensure feel supported and safe in their practice.  It was also noted that social workers often returned to work for the County Council, if they have left to work for a different organisation.

·         That there were a number of UASC who had been placed in care in London, who had arrived in Hampshire seeking asylum.  It was noted that this was due to the ethnicity of some of the children and the greater diversity of ethnicity in London, which would put place thee children more at ease.

Members thanked Officers for the reassuring report and wished to extend their thanks to the wider Children’s safeguarding team for their work.

RESOLVED:

i)             That the Children and Young People Select Committee note the update on children’s safeguarding.

ii)            That the Children and Young People Select Committee thank the Children’s Services safeguarding team for their work.