To note the contents of the report.

The Chairman said congratulations were in order to everyone who had enabled progress to continue as well as possible in spite of the restrictions that had been caused by Covid19.

Hilary Hall, Director of Adults, Health and Housing, introduced the report relating to adult services and noted there were five performance indicators relevant to the service that had been highlighted. Of these, three had a green indicator. Regarding care package reviews – relating to a particular package’s annual review – Hilary Hall said performance was slightly below target due to resources needing to be diverted elsewhere to cope with the demands of Covid. Reviews had been prioritised and all those where it was considered necessary to had been carried out. It was expected that this performance indicator would be on target by the end of the year.

Regarding permanent admissions to care, the Panel was told this was below target but within tolerance as the number of admissions had been higher in Q3. The Panel was told that reablement – allowing people to remain in their own homes for as long as possible – had an amber rating. Hilary Hall said it was just short of target as there had been a dip in Q1, but there had been significant improvements in Q3. Carers’ assessments were now meeting target; Hilary Hall reminded members that the Panel was told previously that earlier in the year assessments were not being recorded as formal reviews, but there had been lots of contact with service users. The formal paperwork and reviews had now taken place and caught up with the target. The final indicator related to safeguarding, which was on target.

Responding to questions from Cllr da Costa, Hilary Hall said care package reviews were carried out by social workers from Optalis, rather than the agency or care home associated with the service user. She added that the review also took into account the support provided for the carer. Cllr da Costa asked how quality of care was measured. Hilary Hall said packages would be monitored for complaints and if any safeguarding risks were identified. Calls were also regularly made to service users and feedback would be taken, and there would be spot checks. Cllr da Costa asked what would happen if a service user wanted to raise a complaint but did not have a family member who could do so on their behalf. Hilary Hall stated a social worker was able to act as a quasi-family member and could ask for an increased number of visits if concerns were raised.

Cllr Tisi asked if any trends had been recognised any areas where a focus of attention may be needed. Hilary Hall said there was nothing definite at the moment, but it may be the case that the indicators themselves may need to be reviewed to get a clearer understanding. It was likely that the impact of long Covid may present the greatest challenge, in terms of how information relating to the cohort that was currently being supported, and future prevention work, would be recorded. Kevin McDaniel, Director of Children’s Services, said there had been an increase in demand for front door services following the return to school as new cases were being brought to the attention of children’s services later in the development of the situation than might ordinarily be expected. As a result, these tend to be more complex cases which would require being directed straight to child protection. Kevin McDaniel said it was important the right services and arrangements were in place to handle the consequences of this, and the situation was likely to develop further over the coming weeks and months.

Responding to a question from Cllr Sharpe, Hilary Hall said she did not have any areas of concern directly related to adult services. However she said she was concerned at the possible impact on residents’ mental health and a possible impact on mental health services as a result. She said there had been an increase in the number of referrals, although this had not been too onerous on mental health services. Cllr Tisi asked if the effects of long Covid might impact on the demographic of people needing care. Hilary Hall said she believed this would be the case, although there had not been any evidence of it so far.

Hilary Hall said a carer’s assessment would also take into account the needs of the person providing the care and seeing what support was appropriate to give them, such as respite or support in the home. There had been an increase in the number of people providing support to someone in their own home. Anyone could make a referral for a carer’s assessment.

Kevin McDaniel introduced the report relating to children’s services and told the Panel that the six performance indicators all had a green rating. The Panel was reminded that a task and finish group had looked at the virtual college’s work with care leavers, and work was taking place to encourage businesses to consider employing care leavers as the Covid pandemic had led to a lack of jobs for them. There had been an improvement in the performance indicator for health visitor assessments, as families had been more engaged using a virtual communication system while their children were not accessing as many face to face services.

Regarding graded Ofsted inspections of schools, Kevin McDaniel said none had been carried out since March 2020 and it was expected that none would be done before September 2021. Four schools had been visited but not as part of an assessment that would result in a formal grading; however the feedback from these had been positive in terms of supporting the school’s most vulnerable children and remote learning. An Ofsted inspector had been seconded to RBWM to help share best practice during the first national lockdown period.

The Panel was told there had been a reduction in the number of families that had been re-referred to social care within 12 months of their original care ending. Kevin McDaniel said the early help service had been able to provide more targeted one to one work, and there had been improved consideration of how services would follow up with families. He added the number of families involved was relatively small. Regarding children whose children protection plan lasted for more than two years, Kevin McDaniel said he was pleased the number was currently zero and work was taking place to ensure there was no drift in cases to maintain this level of performance.

In relation to special educational needs and disability, Kevin McDaniel said the focus of the work was to ensure Education Health and Care Plans were of a high quality. There had been an increase in the number of requests for an EHCP and it was possible this service may come under some stress. Cllr Tisi noted many children were not eligible for an EHCP and asked how the impact on these children was measured. Kevin McDaniel said that if a child had an identified educational need, the school would implement a localised plan for that individual as a recognised “SEN K” child. The education psychology service was available worked once a year with schools to support planning for such children, which in turn helped to share best practice amongst schools.

Cllr Tisi asked if the improvement in the number of care leavers now in education or employment could be attributable to the virtual college. Kevin McDaniel agreed this was a factor, along with the timing of the report as it came after schools had finishing for the year.

Regarding referrals to children’s social care, Kevin McDaniel explained that there was a system anomaly which was being reviewed to ensure the data was consistent.

Cllr da Costa said she and Cllr Tisi had both been impressed with the new officer at the virtual college and the statistics they had produced. She noted there were no child protection plans lasting for more than two years and asked for more information. Kevin McDaniel said child services would work with a family to eliminate any identified risk; if this did not work then alternatives would be considered and discussed with the family. A child protection plan was intended to last for a short time only rather than the entirety of a child’s life, and a child protection plan should make a sustainable difference to that child.

Cllr Sharpe asked how the impact of Covid on schools was being measured and recorded. Kevin McDaniel said there would be an annual report on what was and wasn’t working, which was due to be published in early 2022. It was noted that many children were excited and enthusiastic to be returning to school, and many vulnerable children had achieved well during the course of the pandemic. Kevin McDaniel said Sir Kevan Collins had been appointed by the government to lead a steering group scrutinising how learning would be restored in schools.

Hilary Hall told the Panel there were three performance indicators relating to public health, including successful completion of substance misuse programmes. These were all on target to be met. Hilary Hall said virtual consultations had been introduced because of the pandemic, but this had improved engagement and service users had been more committed to completing their programme. This contract was due to be recommissioned from April 1 2022. Cllr Sharpe suggested some residents may suffer increased stress or anxiety as a result of Covid and turn to drink or drugs as a coping strategy. Hilary Hall said there was no specific evidence to suggest this, but there would be a clearer picture over time and it was something that was being taken into consideration. Cllr Carroll said there had been a good performance in terms of resilience for services and it was hoped this would continue to evolve. He said this would be incorporated into the Council’s homelessness and mental health strategies.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Panel noted the report and:

i) Noted the 2020/21 Adults, Children and Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel Q3 Performance Report in Appendix A.

ii) Requested relevant Lead Members, Directors and Heads of Service to maintain focus on improving performance.