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SOCIAL SERVICES NORTH WEST
MEETING ON 15 JUNE 2001 AT TAMESIDE
REPORT OF THE CO-ORDINATOR
CHILDREN’S SERVICES – QUALITY PROTECTS
1. Matter for Consideration
Issues relating to Children’s services and the link with the Regional Quality Protects Reference Group
2. Introduction
At the previous meeting of the Social Services North West Committee, a report was considered on issues relating to children, in particular the move toward the emphasis on multi-agency working in the form of the Quality Protects Reference Group, chaired by Richard Jones, Director St Helens. It was agreed by Members that a further report be submitted to the Committee in June following contact being established by the Professional Assistant with the Quality Protects Reference Group.
3. Information
3.1. Quality Protects and Children’s Issues was selected as one of the key themes for SSNW’s Annual Work Programme. Members will be aware that the Department of Health is currently trying to ‘re-energise’ the Quality Protects programme. Which was originally launched in 1998, with the aim of reforming and improving local authorities’ children’s services. The initial three-year programme has been extended to five years. Good progress has since been made, though the picture nationally is variable according to the DoH. The Programme's greatest impact has been on children’s social services, with less progress generally from health and education authorities. There is a need for the programme to encompass and integrate with other new initiatives such as Sure Start and Connexions.
3.2. The Government has now issued joint departmental guidance (May 2001) on planning for children’s services. "Co-ordinated service planning for vulnerable children and young people in England " (published by DoH, DfEE, DETR, HO, DCMS, HMT and Cabinet Office is available from www.doh.gov.uk/scg/childplan.htm. The guidance represents some first steps on the way to simplification by introducing a ‘framework’ which shows how different planning requirements can be related and feed into each other within an overall scheme. The guidance recommends action across a broad front, and the Government expects all local authorities to play a key role in working with partners in the voluntary and community sectors.
3.3. As agreed by Members the Professional Assistant attended the most recent NW Quality Protects Reference Group on 30 March, on behalf of Social Services North West. He has been invited to continue attending on a regular basis. At the meeting key points which emerged were:
- written feedback on Management Action Plans (MAPs) is awaited, and the emerging themes and trends will be analysed locally in terms of performance management and improvement;
- the development of the Regional Task Force for Children’s Services was raised in terms of mapping QP work with the emerging agenda;
- work needs to focus on developing quality around the assessment process and the skills of staff to undertake assessments;
- a paper was circulated with Proposals relating to the Young Carers Development Group, this included the development of the framework for assessment for children in need and the development of a regional network;
- the work programme for 2001/02 was considered, and this needs to include issues around adoption and leaving care. The possibility of a Regional Conference to showcase positive work was discussed.
- consideration was given to The Children’s Fund's focus, and its relationship the children’s services planning.
Overall the work programme is progressing well, however it will be a while yet before the question of the role a regional organisation such as SSNW can play regarding foster care practice and rates of pay can be addressed.
- Recommendation
Members are asked to note the report and consider any matters they wish to have raised at the next QP Reference Group meeting on 28 June 2001.
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