Assessment & Planning for children InHertfordshire

Margaret DoeExternal Support Team

Why are you here?

Following the JAR (Joint Area Review) published in August 2007 the external support team were appointed by the DCSF & Hertfordshire

The role of the EST is to provide support and challenge to Hertfordshire Children Schools & Families on the critical areas rated as inadequate by the JAR

Areas of Concern August 2007

Arrangements for safeguarding children & young people are inadequate

The contribution of local services to improving outcomes for looked after children & young people is inadequate

Services for children& Young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities‘ are adequate although there is insufficient provision for those with less complex needs

Areas of concern August 2007

In schools young people’s achievement is good and improving up to 16, but remains only adequate overall post 16.

Attainment of key minority ethnic groups has improved at key stages 1,2, and 3 but improvement processes are having insufficient impact on raising attainment at key stage 4 and school sixth forms

Areas of concern August 2007

High and variable thresholds for access to child protection services

No quality assurance system to ensure children on the child protection register and those looked after are seen by social workers within timescales and alone

High degree in variability in the quality and timeliness of social care assessments

Inaccurate electronic data Lack of agreed multi-Agency eligibility criteria

(CAF)

Areas of concern August 2007

Variable quality of care planning ranging from excellent to poor

Consequently there was some poor planning leading to inappropriate delays in providing services to looked after children and in some cases a delay in returning home

JAR Grades

Safeguarding ~ 1 Looked After Children ~ 1 Learning difficulties/disabilities ~ 2 Service Management ~ 2

CAPACITY TO IMPROVE ~ 3

It was recognised that there had been improvements and the capacity to improve was good

Key Recommendations

Ensure that children & young people on the child protection register and those who are looked after receive visits within timescales and are seen alone and that visits are recorded and monitored by managers

Ensure data quality is robust and can be used for effective strategic planning, service management, resource allocation and performance management

Key Recommendations

Ensure that children& young people are involved consistently in quality assurance activities and service planning

Identify oversight and leadership for vulnerable groups such as black and minority ethnic groups within the Children’s Trust Partnership

Key Recommendations

Ensure statutory requirements are met regarding timely children’s looked after reviews ensuring focused and consistent implementation of care plans

Looked After Children should have an allocated qualified social worker

Progress to date

Timeliness of Initial Assessments and Core Assessments much better

Children being seen and alone monitoring LAC reviews improving Audit systems in place (File Audits) Recruitment and retention is still a priority

with currently 30 vacancies across the county

Progress to date

The implementation of Integrated Children’s Systems is underway

Templates for assessments are also in place

Data information is improving

The Focus Now

Improve the quality and consistency of all care planning and specifically Looked After Children

Ensuring care plans are implemented and children achieve the right outcome

Care planning to include children in need care plans

You Are on Track!!!

How to get the most from the workshops Curiosity Resourcefulness Openness Flexibility Adopt a different point of view Look for solutions rather than problems Know what you want to go away with