Children’s Services and Corporate Parenting Panel Outcome of Children First Re-Evaluation January 2009 Ann Domeney Deputy Director Social Care

Some Positive Messages Performance management now permeated to every level of management Modelling of good leadership behaviours now replicated by junior managers

Performance management: Progress Concept of accountability for improved outcomes more widely understood Performance management culture now in place More open and supportive culture-”collective problem solving approach” Members more involved in performance management and robust in challenge

Performance management: progress contd Using information as tool for improvement Improving services through targeted invention- use of performance clinics Clear and robust planning framework

Performance management: areas for development Role of members in performance management requires clarification Compliance with completion of performance agreements improved, although content variable Need for greater involvement of children and young people Greater consistency required in quality, availability and use of reliable performance information

Fieldwork : Progress Many key performance indicators and therefore outcomes for children and young people are improving Standard of both Initial and Core Assessments generally good Evident link between organisational direction and operational delivery

Fieldwork: areas for development Analysis of assessments needs to be consistent. Further skills/knowledge may be required Essential that all teams have a system for ensuring feedback to referrers Care planning needs to be further developed to ensure that all plans are clear, focussed and measurable

Fieldwork: areas for development contd Tracking of statutory visits must be consistent and reported at team level Current review of administrative staff needs to take into account the crucial role of administrative staff in supporting data accuracy The number of children subject to a child protection plan; duration of registration and re registrations are rising-targets need review

Human Resources; progress File sample indicated that all necessary documentation was in place Role of HR seemed much clearer to operational managers. Improvements in safe staffing procedures made by the council being shared across the partnership through the Safe Staffing sub group of HSCB

Human Resources:areas for development HR managers should satisfy themselves that recruitment processes are as efficient and consistent as possible Work is currently underway to align the Checkpoint, Vulnerable Groups, database, List 99 and soon to be Vetting and Barring processes

Partnerships:progress Good quality of support and challenge in Hertfordshire Children’s Trust Partnership Outcome leads have been allocated to members of the Partnership who then account for progress. The Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Board has been restructured and put in place a range of new sub groups to support delivery of the business plan

Partnerships: areas for development Use of CAF varies across the county and remains inconsistent in individual areas There would be benefit from continued multi professional support to children from targeted and universal services when cases are closed to social care

The Ultimate Aim “significant progress reported in our April report has been sustained over the six months to October 2008” Move children’s services to “excellent”.