Leicester City Council Quarter 3 October – December 2018 Children’s Social Care and Early Help Division Quality Assurance Report
Quality Assurance framework: Children’s Early Help and Social Care
Quality Assurance Framework Case file audits/ audits’ moderations Single Agency Observation of practice Independent CP Chairs and IROs oversight Children & Young People’s participation User feedback/Complaints Performance Book Triangulation of Multi-Agency Activity and Quality Assurance LCSB Multi-Agency case file audits Feedback from partners Challenge CYP Scrutiny Commission Regional Peer Challenge Ofsted DfE
Review of Q2 Next Steps Assessment training to be rolled out focusing on the areas for improvement – focus on identity & diversity, analysis of family history and risks/needs; New supervision template (based on SofS model) introduced in Q3 to support management oversight and evidence case progression; Targeted QA activity to support auditors understanding of what good looks like via moderations, audit events, QA Surgeries; Additional methods to secure feedback from the families, including children and young people. (Pilot Advocacy for initial meetings); Targeted activities by CIN Service around genograms and chronologies External review/ challenge of QA Framework scheduled in Q3
External Review of the Performance Management and QA Framework November 2018 – Chris Batty • The Performance Management and Quality Assurance Framework is enabling the council to know itself well. • Senior management have maintained a strong and visible focus on ensuring that compliance and timescales are maintained and quality of practice is improved. • The Framework is generally being well implemented and becoming more integrated into the work of the department at all levels • Generally the right balance between consistency and flexibility to allow for specific service needs but one or two areas where this could be improved. • Two aspects – independent visits to children’s homes and reviews of foster carers – which do not meet regulatory requirements
Audits across the Division There were 112 audits across the division in Q3 • 31 in Early Help • 63 in social care • 18 in YOS
Audit Analysis Evidence of the use of Signs of Safety .
Audit Analysis Strengths Areas for improvement • Good evidence of partner agencies • Assessment of parenting capacity • The appropriateness of placements input into assessments • Good evidence of management and contact arrangements • Auditors need to identify areas, where oversight • Good focus on the child/young person practice can be improved • evidence of increase engagement • Auditors need to ensure that (direct work/visiting) - Resulting in discussions take place with workers child/young person’s wishes and feelings being recorded
Practice Observations across the Division There were 92 P.O.s across the division in Q3 • 24 in Early Help • 65 in social care • 3 in YOS
MST/MST CAN/FFT-CW Adherence data Days between referral and start (as reported by 157 families) (Target <10 days) MST 100% 12 50% 10 0% 8 Target 61% Actual 80% 6 FFT 5 4 4 2 3 2 0 1 Oct Nov Dec 0 Target Score End of Year Actual Score 3 Months 1: 3 from Start: 3
QA through Independent Chairs LAC reviews CP Conferences Legend: 3% 8% 4% Escalations No concerns 88% 97% Commendations Strengths Areas for Development • ▪ Good engagement with children resulting in Planning and preparation for conference • incorporating their wishes into plans Consistent footprint of the chair driving the ▪ good understanding of what life is like for the child effectiveness of the plan • allowing informed multi-agency decisions to be Embedding Signs of Safety practice made
Participation – Advocacy Pilot Advocacy was offered for children attending ICPC or newly LAC age 10-15 years. Advocacy provided by De Montfort university youth work students. • Advocacy – Initial Child Protection Conference – 27 referrals (6 progressed to advocacy support at conference. • Advocacy for Children Looked After – 13 Referrals (9 progressed to advocacy support) I can actually speak, and people listen when the advocate is here. People at the meeting could actually hear what I think – I have been heard. I found it easier to write down my feelings and have my advocate say it for me at the meeting Recommendations • The pilot will continue – age restrictions will be removed • Leicester City Boundaries will be removed •
Feedback Feedback from Families 26 complaints (7 upheld or partially upheld) and 31 compliments. Chairperson was fair and inclusive, and she challenged everyone involved to justify their comments and suggestions. feel that getting the safety plan a bit before has been a positive way today. What went well……The plans to be made to keep baby safe in future and supported Feedback from Partner Agencies 4 compliments were received from partner agencies Clear plan drawn up addressing all concerns. All professionals consulted throughout, and their views listened to and taken into consideration. Considerable differences in the meeting – chair managed the meeting well Ensured parents and professional views were heard and respected throughout. Good, clear and thorough
Q4 – Next Steps • Further guidance to be provided to the auditors regarding the importance of warm feedback to the practitioners and link between areas of development and actions – March 2019; • Continue to increase support to individual auditors via QA surgeries and 1- 2-1 support from QA manager – overview to be provided in Q4 • New provisions in place to ensure statutory compliance with Reg 44 visits and foster carers’ reviews • Assessments continue to be variable – focused training to be provided to front line practitioners via weekly lunch and learn and further Signs of Safety training • Independent review of Leaving Care Services – January 2019
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