Agenda item

·         Councillor Graham Hinchey (Cabinet Member - Children and Families) will be in attendance any may wish to make a statement;

·         Tony Young (Director – Social Services) and officers will present the report and be available to answer any questions Members may have;

·         Questions from Committee Members;

·         The Way Forward for this item will be considered at the end of the meeting.

The Committee received the Childrens Service Performance Management report setting out performance data outlining progress against commitments for the quarter ending 30 June 2017.  Members were advised that the continued development of the Cardiff Performance Management Framework has brought into line the monitoring and evaluation of progress against the commitments set out in the Corporate Plan and the performance indicators set to assist the overall performance position of the Council.  The performance data relating to Children Services was appended to the report.

The report provided an overview of the performance of the service area, including slippage in progress against Corporate Plan objectives.

Members were invited to consider the report and comment, seek clarification or raise questions the information contained within.   Those discussions are summarised as follows:

·         A Member noted the improvement in engagement with faith communities referred to in the report.  Officers stated that whilst there had been improvement with faith groups at large, mosques and madrasas were a priority due to the large numbers of children attending.

·         Members asked whether there were any plans to recruit social workers from BAME communities.  Officers indicated that the recruitment drive was seeking social workers from all backgrounds.  An adoption/fostering event aimed at attracting foster carers from BAME communities would be held in the near future.

·         Officers were asked to explain what budget monitoring was in place.  Officers stated that it is difficult to manage anticipated spend.  Decisions to accommodate children at risk are taken at Operational Manager level.  During a recent review of 40 cases, everyone case had compelling reasons why the child should be accommodated.  Children need safeguarding, but alternatives will be explored.  Cases where children are protected are success stories.

AGREED – that the Chairperson writes on the Committee’s behalf to the Cabinet Member to convey their comments and observations.