Issue - meetings

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The Board received a report setting out progress that had been made in producing the Joint Area Review (JAR) Action Plan since its last meeting in December.

The Action Plan had been developed by officers from across the Council and Partner organisations and was intended to deliver a change programme that would serve two functions: addressing the issues raised within the JAR report and then, to move beyond this, and become an exemplar of good practice.

The Plan was currently organised thematically and set out the actions to be taken in addressing issues by theme. Within this the role of the HSP, the C&YPSPB and the new Children’s Trust Board were touched on and this would be expanded upon the in fuller document. Another key issue for the Plan was developing ‘reflective’ practice and ensuring that there were the mechanisms and forums in place for staff to do this effectively.

The Board was advised that the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People and the Director of Children’s Services were due to meet with the Secretary of State to discuss progress in implementing the changes recommended in the JAR report. This would form the first a series of monthly meetings between the Local Authority and the Government Department.

The Action Plan would also be considered by the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 9 February and the Council’s Cabinet on 24 February prior to being submitted to the Secretary of State for approval at the end of February.

Concerns were raised that the document presented was not sufficient in detail to allow members of the Board to comment on its content. Particular concern was raised that it was not evident from the document presented whether concerns, previously raised by the Board, around areas of overlap between the various bodies in place to deliver monitor and deliver Children’s Services had been mapped.

The Board was reminded that a review was currently being undertaken of the structures and bodies in place and that as part of this the Terms of Reference of each of the bodies concerned was being reviewed to ensure that they were appropriately aligned.

It had not been possible to present to the Board with the full working document prior to discuss with the Department for Children, Families and Education (DCFE). There was agreement that the Board should be sent the final version of the Action Plan on 9 February.

It was noted that several members of the Board had been part of the group formed to produce the Action Plan. The Board was advised that the process had been inclusive and engaging and that there had been a strong commitment to involving partners.

In response to a query, the Board was advised the role and responsibilities of Councillors as Corporate Parents were addressed within the full document. In terms of gauging members views the Chair had fed these into to the process.

It was noted that there had been recent reports in the press suggesting that Haringey  ...  view the full minutes text for item 71