Agenda item

For the Select Committee to pre-scrutinise the annual safeguarding report for Children’s Services before consideration by Cabinet.

The committee received a report and presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing opportunity for pre-scrutiny of the Annual Safeguarding Report for Children’s Services (2020-21) ahead of its consideration by Cabinet (see Item 7 in the Minute Book).

It was noted that this report would be informed by several national developments, most notable of which was the pandemic but also in relation to Child Exploitation and Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC).

The committee heard that temporary changes to statutory guidance and regulations because of the pandemic provided the department with some flexibility in certain circumstances and when necessary. This included the ability to carry out home visits and meetings online. However, the department met all the statutory timescales and did not move from Phase 1 of its three phase plan.

The committee also received an overview of the work of the department in relation to child exploitation and those children who are trafficked and/or go missing. This included a summary of the work of Hampshire’s Willow Team.

Members heard how the majority of UASC had been assessed to be c.17 years old and arrived in Hampshire either spontaneously or via the National Transfer Scheme. Numbers had decreased but were expected to return to previous levels once the circumstances in relationship to the pandemic have improved. The number of Children in Care has not increase dramatically but UASC Care Leavers has increased by 164% since June 2017.

Members noted HCC’s Children’s Services involvement in the Hampshire Safeguarding Children Partnership alongside Hampshire Constabulary and five CCGs. All partners hold a strategic role with their organisations and can commit to matters of policy and hold their organisation to account.

Following the overview of these key areas, the committee received an update on the performance and activity levels of the following areas.

• Contacts and Referrals – contacts have increased 7.6%, following a 11% increase the previous year. The 2020-21 number is an increase of 61% on the 2015-16 number, indicating the continuing pressure reflected nationally. The proportion of referrals from each agency have remained consistent for three years, but the Police overtook Education to become the most frequent referrer, reflecting a year with periods of school closures.
• Assessments and Child Protection Investigations – Investigations which lead to an initial CP conference have remained consistent which implies that thresholds are being consistently applied by social work teams. The timeliness of completion for Child & Family Assessments has also remained high and significantly above the national average.
• Child Protection Plans – there has been an increase in the number of CP conferences resulting in a CP Plan because of the risk of significant harm. This increase is a result of additional pressures on families as a result of the pandemic. Neglect remains the main course for these plans, being identified as the key factor for 60-70% of plans. A low percentage of plans are lasting for longer than two years or resulting in a repeat plan within two years, this indicates productive work.
• Full Time Children Looked After – the trend for the last two years is downwards which is indicative of the success of the department's transformation programme. However, the national picture shows demand continuing to outstrip supply of placements and therefore the prices continue to rise.

The presentation to the Committee concluded with a summary of the local developments being led by Hampshire. This included several measures being undertaken to improve recruitment and retention of staff and an update on the Transforming Social Care Programme.

In response to questions members heard that:

• The majority of UASC children are placed in Independent Fostering Agencies and a significant number are placed outside Hampshire to better meet their cultural and individual needs.
• Approximately 30% of UASC will not be given leave to remain in the UK and as such will have ‘no recourse to public funds’ requiring the local authority to entirely fund all of their living costs until they reach 25 years of age or are deported.
• The age assessment process is not simple and does not currently use medical evidence. The LA has a duty to support these children in line with other Children in Care.
• UASC are initially placed by the Home Office, and it is unclear what criteria they use.
• Poverty does not lead directly to an increased likelihood of social work intervention, but it does worsen other issues which can contribute.
• There was a move towards considering children who were brought to the attention of the service as ‘Children experiencing vulnerabilities’, rather than ‘vulnerable children’.
• The Willow Team work closely with Hampshire Constabulary’s Violence Reduction Unit and other agencies to share information and undertake disruption techniques.
• There are still several issues expected to come because of the Pandemic. It may be that the full economic impact has not yet taken affect, however Financial Resilience Meetings are held frequently.
• There is a degree of co-operation with neighbouring authorities in relation to agency pay to help prevent authorities competing.
• There is a scheme of work looking at the RSHE curriculum to teach acceptable behaviour within schools in relation to toxic masculinity.
• The Prevent scheme is extremely well embedded into the County’s services.
• The rules in relation to ‘double jabbed’ workers does not apply to children’s settings and there is no sign of this shifting.

RESOLVED: That the Children and Young People Select Committee note and support the recommendations being proposed to Cabinet.