Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Director, Children’s Services

The Assistant Director, Children’s Services, submitted a report (previously circulated) to provide Members with the Annual Self-Assessment for Children’s Services, to enable constructive ‘critical friend’ challenge to take place and drive improvement in public services.

It was highlighted the self-assessment is not a statutory requirement, however is developed with input from Ofsted, and that the self-assessment is used as part of Ofsted’s ILACS Annual Engagement Meeting and plays an important role in their understanding of local authorities and how they work.

Members noted that the number of Children in Care had risen, and expressed concerns in relation to the impact that this would have on service provision, with assurances provided that the agency market could utilised, if necessary.

Discussion ensued on the number of children who were placed in care with no SEND diagnosis, but who subsequently left care with a SEND diagnosis, and whether there was a need to record ‘missed diagnosis’, however it was suggested that there could be a number of factors that would have an impact and that it would be difficult to quantify.

RESOLVED – That the content of the report be noted.