SE Memorandum of Cooperation Assistant Directors Safeguarding Network 19 th June 2015

Introduction Background to the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) Background to the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) Why we need a MoC Why we need a MoC National picture National picture Regional picture Regional picture Summary of research Summary of research What is in the proposed MoC What is in the proposed MoC Proposed way forward & timeline Proposed way forward & timeline

Children’s Social Care Workforce (CSW Project) This project has been commissioned by the SEADCS as part of the Sector Led Improvement Programme and will be directed by Rachael Wardell (DCS West Berkshire) and Caroline Budden (ADCS Surrey). This project has been commissioned by the SEADCS as part of the Sector Led Improvement Programme and will be directed by Rachael Wardell (DCS West Berkshire) and Caroline Budden (ADCS Surrey). Terms of reference:- Terms of reference:- 1) To investigate new and different ways of staffing to meet the needs of young people Identify innovative practice to strengthen quality and stability Alternative routes to qualification (e.g. social work apprenticeships?) Alternative work design Recruiting for values, attitude and skills and facilitating routes to attain qualifications Establishing new ways of working with agencies 2) Explore options for making the region attractive Common approaches to leadership programmes Transferable career paths Shared staff development programmes Regional model of employment/contract terms

National Picture Turnover of QSWs (1 in 7 left their LA in 12/13) Turnover of QSWs (1 in 7 left their LA in 12/13) Average career is 7-8 years Average career is 7-8 years Supply not predicted to meet demand until 2022 Supply not predicted to meet demand until % of QSWs want permanent jobs 88% of QSWs want permanent jobs Not just about pay – work/life balance, career development and case loads are important Not just about pay – work/life balance, career development and case loads are important 59% of SWs would not recommend their current organisation as a good place to work 59% of SWs would not recommend their current organisation as a good place to work (Sources: DoE Mar 2014, Policy Exchange Jun 2013, Community Care/TMP research Oct 2014)

Regional Picture 710 of 3300 SW posts vacant 17.6%

FTE Turnover Rate (% 2014)

Vacancy Rate (% 2014)

Worsening Situation

Why we Need a Regional Approach - Tens of £ million pa for agency QSWs - 3,300 roles but only 2,590 workers (14.5% av. vacancy rate) - Shift towards ‘going agency’ - LAs work in isolation - Some LAs provide only basic references - Each LA trains SWs - Lack of talent/succession focus - Unstable workforce (resulting in inconsistency for families) - Unstable teams (resulting in a lack of good support/supervision for QSWs) - 20% increase in agency pay rates - LAs ‘poaching’ from others - ‘Recycling’ of poor performers

Research/Consultation Summary Meeting of workforce leads Meeting of workforce leads Workforce benchmarking Workforce benchmarking Survey of all LAs in the region Survey of all LAs in the region Discussion at AD’s meeting Feb 15 Discussion at AD’s meeting Feb 15 2 workshops for Frontline Managers (27 Managers from 14 LAs) 2 workshops for Frontline Managers (27 Managers from 14 LAs) HR work stream HR work stream Discussion with East of England, London, East Midlands & West Midlands Discussion with East of England, London, East Midlands & West Midlands

11 Council QSW Agreement in place 14 Council QSW Agreement in place 33 Council QSW Agreement pending for June Council QSW Agreement pending for Summer 2015 Discussions starting Limited progress Limited engagement No engagement Progress on QSW Collaboration – 5/3/15 Some collaboration already in place

Developing a Memorandum of Cooperation

Key Ideas in East of England MoC 1. Improved referencing end of placement reviews 2. Controlling the agency market (rates, headhunting etc.). 3. Greater harmonisation of terms and conditions 4. Closer working together to develop supply of Social Workers/Managers

Key Ideas in West Midlands MoC Improved referencing and end of placement reviews Improved referencing and end of placement reviews Controlling the agency market (rates, headhunting etc.). Controlling the agency market (rates, headhunting etc.).

Proposed Way Forward Immediate adoption of Phase 1 of SE draft MoC Immediate adoption of Phase 1 of SE draft MoC Commitment to explore and agree final wording for Phase 2 by December 2015 Commitment to explore and agree final wording for Phase 2 by December 2015 Implement Phase 2 from January 2016 Implement Phase 2 from January 2016

To Achieve This we Need: Immediate sign off of Phase 1 Immediate sign off of Phase 1 Commitment to work with us to develop and finalise Phase 2 Commitment to work with us to develop and finalise Phase 2 Commitment to implement the word and spirit of the MoC when agreed (including DCSs & HR colleagues) Commitment to implement the word and spirit of the MoC when agreed (including DCSs & HR colleagues) MoC to become standing item at AD safeguarding meeting MoC to become standing item at AD safeguarding meeting

Proposed Time Line 7th November 2014 Discussed with workforce leads and agreement to survey all authorities on the viability of a SE MoC being developed December 2014 Survey looked at the do-ability and desirability of each of the 16 clauses in the East of England MoC. Responses received from 9 of the 19 local authorities in the SE 27 th February 2015 MoC discussed at Safeguarding ADs group and agreement to consult more widely and draft SE version for 19 th June 2015 meeting 15 th April 2015 & 19th May 2015 Workshops attended by 27 Social Care Managers from 14 SE LAs consulted on potential SE MoC 19th June 2015 Scheduled to return to SE AD Safeguarding Group with report on consultation and draft SE MoC 19th June - 31st July 2015 Local Authorities in South East to commit to phase 1 of SE MoC and work to develop phase 2 August - December 2015 Local Authorities and SESLIP to work to agree final wording for phase 2 of the SE MoC January 2016 Implement phase 2 of SE MoC

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