The Chair congratulated Dave Peplow on the outcome of the Local Safeguarding Children Board Ofsted Inspection and stated that an agenda item on Items Raised by Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children’s Board would now be a standard item on the agenda.

Dave Peplow briefly presented the findings and commented on the two recommendations from the Ofsted Report on Local Safeguarding Children’s Board and briefed members on the review written by Alan Wood into the effectiveness of local safeguarding children’s boards.

The Chair asked Dave Peplow that taking into account the Alan Wood’s Review and the two recommendations had this had any effect on the service. Dave Peplow stated that no it was business as usual with no change in arrangements until further notice was received.

Andrew Carter briefly presented the report which updated members on the outcomes of the recent Ofsted Inspection which was judged to “Require Improvement”. A Self-Assessment had been undertaken prior to the Ofsted Inspection which did not identify anything that was not already known.

Members were asked to comment on the 16 recommendations on the draft Action Plan which was scheduled to be sent to Ofsted. There would be a slight delay in sending the draft Action Plan back to Ofsted to ensure that members of the Children’s Services Overview and Committee were given the opportunity to comment.

It was stated that the same report was presented to the Corporate Parenting Committee on Tuesday 5 July 2016 where some useful recommendations were identified.

Councillor Allen asked Officers was the Council meeting the needs of those children waiting for adoption. Andrew Carter stated that 18 children were adopted last year and that the Government measures on how long it takes to go through the adoption process rather than numbers. The aim would be to reduce the time it takes in Thurrock to be nearer the UK average times.

Councillor Watkins asked Officers if previous fostered children had been approached to promote foster carer in Thurrock. Andrew Carter stated that care leavers assisted with the recruitment of new foster carers but stated that word of mouth in the local community proved to be best method of recruiting new foster carers.

Councillor Watkins asked Officers what was in place for the Staying Put Policy. Andrew Carter stated that 5 looked after children benefited from the Staying Put Policy and that consultations were in place with foster carers and Independent Fostering Agency providers. It was also the aim to actively promote the scheme as an option and work would be undertaken with the Eastern Region partners to improve the local and regional offer. Andrew Carter stated that the Children in Care Council were in attendance at the Corporate Parenting Committee where a debate took place on the way forward of the Staying Put Policy.

The Parent Governor Representative stated that the action plan could have been more detailed. Andrew Carter stated that a finalised report would be returned to the committee.

Councillor Redsell asked Officers what co-ordination was in place between the council and schools on those children in elected home education. Roger Edwardson stated that it had been evidenced that those children home educated were more likely to under achieve in this environment and would be best to retain in school. Council Inspectors were available but not always taken up by parents.

Councillor Redsell stated that it was good that the same items had been picked up at both committees.

RESOLVED

That the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee monitored the progress of the council in implementing the recommendations of the Ofsted Inspection Report.