Item 12 - Joint Inspection of Services for Children at Risk of Harm in West Dunbartonshire 2022
West Dunbartonshire Council · 28 September 2022
Back to Community Planning West Dunbartonshire Management Board — 28 September 2022 and its agenda
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Report by Chief Officer, HSCP Management Group: 28 September 2022 ___________________________________________________________________ Subject: Joint Inspection of Services for Children at Risk of Harm in West Dunbartonshire 2022 1. Purpose 1.1 The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the range of actions underway across the Community Planning Partnership to address the conclusions about key strengths and areas for development following the joint inspection of services for children and young people at risk of harm in West Dunbartonshire. 1.2 To note the Partnership was previously advised of the Joint inspection and the Interim Report which was published on 24 May 2022. A full action plan has been developed overseen by an Executive Oversight Group, and delivered by an Improvement Action Group. The Community Planning Partnership continues to work with the Joint Inspection Team to take forward the agreed actions as part of a continued inspection monitoring and evaluation process. It should be noted that this model has not been previously implemented by scrutiny bodies following a period of Joint Inspection with the Inspectorate stating; ‘We are not yet confident that collective leadership across the partnership is as strong and effective as it needs to be. With significant work ahead to embed The Promise, implement the National Child Protection Guidelines 2021 and new Joint Investigative Interview process, this raised some questions about whether the partnership recognised the collaborative approach required to effectively progress these priorities.’ 2. Recommendations 2.1 CPP is asked to note the work taking place as part of a period of ongoing monitoring and evaluation. ITEM 12
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2.2 CPP is asked to continue to support the leadership of the required improvement work underway. 3. Background 3.1 The Care Inspectorate is leading a series of joint inspections for children and young people at risk of harm as part of a national programme. The joint inspection team also draws on scrutiny partners from Healthcare Improvement Scotland, Education Scotland and HM Inspector of Constabulary. 3.2 The inspections look at the difference and impact that services within the community planning partnerships are making to the lives of children and young people at risk of harm and their families. 3.3 The active period of the inspection process ran from October 2021 until March 2022 and gathered evidence from a range of sources drawn from a 2 year period prior to the commencement date. 3.4 The Interim report on phases 1 and 2 of a joint inspection of services for children and young people at risk of harm in West Dunbartonshire was published on 24 May 2022. 3.5 In addition to the local priorities and improvement work there is an ambitious national agenda for services to children and young people in Scotland. This includes embedding The Promise, implementation of the National Child Protection Guidelines 2021 and the new Joint Investigative Interview process. 4. Main Issues 4.1 The Community Planning Partnership continues to work with the Joint Inspection Team as part of ongoing support, monitoring and evaluation. 4.2 A detailed improvement plan has been developed and has a focus on Community Planning Partnership priorities and the areas highlighted within the inspection process. To support and monitor progress the Community Planning Partnership has also established enhanced governance arrangements through the multi-agency Improvement Action Group and the Executive Oversight Group which reports directly to the Public Protection Chief Officers Group. The Executive Oversight Group provides leadership, direction and support in relation to the priority activities through monitoring of actions and supporting evidence. 4.3 As part of the improvement support the Care Inspectorate developed and delivered a series of 9 workshops involving staff and the leadership teams from services working with children and young people at risk of harm. The topics for the sessions were – interagency referral recording; multi agency record reading; self-evaluation; using data; involving children and young people; quality assurance; and leadership in relation to quality indicators and self-evaluation.
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4.5 An updated timetable has been issued by the Joint Inspection Team with activity to further support the Community Planning Partnership’s own self- evaluation including – • Focused record reading training • A multi-agency record reading of a sample of 35 files • Sample survey of children, young people and parents from the file sample • Staff survey • Further self-evaluation report to be submitted in early 2023 In addition, the Community Planning Partnership will carry out a series of engagement events with staff with a focus on vision, values, improvement activity and framework, and a short focused staff survey. 4.6 The Joint Inspection Team have advised they are seeking evidence of progress in the improvement actions including strengthened strategic collaborative working and development in practice to further strengthen the involvement of children and young people in their own care and support. 4.7 At the time of writing the final dates for the submission of the Partnership’s self-evaluation, feedback to the Community Planning Partnership and final publication date have to be confirmed. 5. People Implications 5.1 In order to strengthen the collaborative leadership, management and delivery of the improvement actions and the delivery of the national agenda for children and young people some additional fixed 2 year term posts have been established including independent review coordinator posts to chair reviews for children and young people who are looked after; a senior management posts within social work service to support self-evaluation and improvement work; and an integrated children’s services lead to support planning for services for children and young people. 6. Financial Implications 6.1 As noted above additional 2 year fixed term contracts for posts across the Community Planning Partnership have been proposed with funding agreed by the Health and Social Care Partnership Board. 7. Risk Analysis 7.1 The Joint Inspection Team, led by the Care Inspectorate, seek assurance that the Community Planning Partnership is making progress on the improvement actions. The Community Planning Partnership will require to maintain focus on the delivery of the strategic and operational improvement actions identified through the inspection process and self-evaluation. In addition the national ambition for Scotland’s children and young people will require to be
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underpinned by local priorities and activity which seeks to embed improvement in service delivery, enhance strategic leadership and improve outcomes for children and young people. 8. Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) 8.1 Not required at this stage of the process. The joint inspection is carried out under section 115 of part 8 of the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010. 9. Consultation 9.1 Not required at this stage of the process. The joint inspection is carried out under section 115 of part 8 of the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010. 10. Strategic Assessment 10.1 Not required. Person to Contact: Beth Culshaw Email: beth.culshaw@ggc.scot.nhs Appendices: Background Papers: Wards Affected: