Agenda item

(To receive a report which invites members of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee to provide feedback from their visits to the social work teams in Children's Services)

Consideration was given to a report which invited members of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee to provide feedback from their visits to the social work teams in Children's Services.

It was noted that since February 2015, a number of visits had been arranged for Members to visit the eight Children's Services social work teams across Lincolnshire.  All eight of the social work team were visited at least once.

Those members who had visited the social work teams were provided with the opportunity to give feedback to the rest of the Committee and the following was noted:

South Kesteven

Concerns were raised regarding the lack of parking spaces for staff at the site.  However, members were provided with a lot of information and were given a tour of the building, and had the opportunity to meet with a couple of graduates based in the team.  It was noted that one of the graduates, who was in their final year of a social work degree was dealing with 14 cases.

It was also reported that it was clear that signs of safety framework was embedded within the processes of this team.

Lincoln

Members were disappointed that the breastfeeding service had been cut, however, the team was trying to incorporate this into its own service.

Members were impressed by the 'Dads Club', in particular one story was reported in which a father had attended, discovered he was artistic and now was a volunteer at the centre.

It was commented that the staff were very enthusiastic and there were plenty of opportunities available for training, including basic life skills such as kitchen skills.

West Lindsey

Again, the staff were found to be very enthusiastic, and it was reported that one of the social workers in this team had been nominated for the social worker of the year award, which was a national award, and this person had been shortlisted for the top five.  Councillor Mrs Brockway advised that she had put in an endorsement as well.

East Lindsey

There was clear use of the signs of safety process which was working well for families.  Very clear risk assessments were carried out for children.  Work had also been carried out which had enabled dialogue between mother and children to be very constructive.

The visiting member had sat in on a child protection conference at this centre.  It was noted that the Practice Supervisor had felt very supported by the authority in their work.

It was reported that that the councillor who visited had found the facilities at the Skegness centre to be fantastic, as it included space for training, as well as a flat which was available for use by families when needed.

Boston

The councillor attended a case conference, and reported that it related to a young man who was leaving care, and the meeting had seemed very positive and friendly.

North Kesteven

There were concerns that there was very limited space, and it was queried whether smaller work stations could be provided to ensure that every member of the team had access to a desk.

South Holland

Members were amazed by the quantity of cases and the seriousness of the cases being handled by this team.  What really came across was the range of foster carers what were required, and the enormity of what foster carers had to deal with.  It was commented that the social workers did a fantastic job.

Members were provided with the opportunity to discuss the feedback and ask questions to the officers present, and some of the points raised during discussion included the following:

·         Due to the confidentiality of the cases, members were only able to see a select number of families, mostly those which had good outcomes.  However, there must be other cases which were not as successful.  Members were advised that there would be a mixture of families who would not want to give permission for their cases to be viewed, partially due to the fact that many of the service users would be reluctant service users.  Officers were confident that the quality of the work that was being seen was consistent;

·         It was thought that much of the work which had been done in Skegness was due to the sustainability and the stability of the staff.  It was queried whether the authority would ensure that the centre in Horncastle remained open.  Officers considered it essential that a centre remained in Horncastle, as this enabled staff to travel on to Skegness;

·         Procedures and protocols were in place in the event that a different social worker had to visit a family if the usual worker was off sick;

·         The Chairman recommended that those Councillors who had not yet visited one of the social work teams should do so.  It was agreed that further dates for visits to social teams would be arranged.  It was also queried whether it would be possible for those members that had visited previously to have follow up meetings regarding the families they had met with previously.  Officers agreed to look into this.

RESOLVED

            That the feedback provided to the Committee on members' visits to social work teams in Children's Services be noted.