Transforming life chances: How serious are we? Nigel Richardson Director of Children’s Services, Leeds, UK Sydney 2015

Tell me about RBA/OBA Grandpa !

July 2009: An Inspector Calls… ‘The response to child protection referrals does not meet statutory guidance and does not ensure that children are adequately safeguarded’. Leeds Ofsted report 2009

Only One Question What is it like to be a child or young person growing up in Leeds… and how do we make it better?

Three mindsets Do the simple things better The child is the client Safeguard and promote

Children live in families Families create communities Communities create cities

Changing Families Lowest marriage rate in 150 years Most couples cohabit before marriage Highest teenage pregnancy rate in Western Europe 2 million lone parents with dependent children 4/10 babies born outside marriage 2million + ++ children living in poverty Estimated cost of family breakdown - £46 billion +++

Family risk factors Poor parental supervision Harsh/erratic discipline Parental conflict Separation from a biological parent Family violence Anti-social parent Low income Poor housing

Risks for young people Leaving school with no qualifications Involvement in crime Alcohol & drugs Poor mental health Homelessness Pregnancy/fatherhood

Protective factors Social bonding Clear standards of positive behaviour Involvement in family, school & community Positive role models Clear, high expectations Social & thinking skills Recognition & praise

Or put another way… Experience of the education system and labour market Society and culture in which they grow up Relationships with parents and families Experiences with peers and in leisure time

What if? An organisational imperative? A new Social Contract? Recognise ‘family’ as the most important ‘utility’ for the 21 st century?

‘You should never plan anything – then nothing can ever go wrong !’ Spike Milligan

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Leeds 180K children and young people One vision One partnership One Plan Five outcomes 12 priorities and 3 obsessions 25 clusters : 3 behaviours Schools at the heart of communities 75k people A life ready for learning

Three behaviours Voice and influence of the child Restorative practice Outcomes based accountability

Changing culture Cross-party political support OBA as the recognised methodology for projects in the city. Approach adopted by key city- wide strategic partnerships Children’s Trust Board receive regular OBA scorecards on CYP Plan priorities. Adopted by all local ‘cluster’ partnerships 25 clusters using OBA events to address local priority issues - Top 100 Methodology

Changing culture A restorative commitment to working with individuals, families and communities to solve problems OBA used to consult on school place planning in response to population growth The children’s social care transformation programme – improving frontline practice OBA used to plan change, measure impact and show practitioners the difference they are making. A new social contract with families The way we do things around here!

Is anybody any better off?

Number of children looked after March 11March 15March 13 March 12 March fewer children in care (£16m saved) It pays to obsess: Reducing the number of looked after children

Number of young people who are NEET March 11March 15March 13 March 12 March fewer young people who are NEET It pays to obsess: Reducing the number of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET)

It pays to obsess: Improving school attendance Primary schoolsSecondary schools 2010/112013/ / /13 92% 98% 96% 94% 2010/112013/ / /13 92% 98% 96% 94% Academic year Approximately 400,000 more pupil days in schools

So what?

2015: The inspectors return! The Inspectors looked at…And found that Leeds is… children who need help and protectionGood children looked after and achieving permanenceGood adoptionGood experience and progress of care leaversGood leadership and managementOutstanding The Leeds Safeguarding Children Board is Good OVERALL LEEDS IS… Good

2015: The inspectors on OBA ‘The application of the outcomes based accountability approach… is facilitating a shared understanding of priorities for children… (and) the three obsessions are providing a sharp focus for strategic and operational thinking’. Ofsted 2015

Keep thinking about… Early start and early help The behaviour of adults Children live in families Multi-agency endeavours safeguard children The common wealth of an area Voice and influence of children The strength of families

Points to Ponder… Keep the complex simple not simplistic Obsess on outcomes Keep your discipline Repeating yourself is good Understand the patterns Tell stories Structures help shape behaviours but relationships make the difference Repeating yourself is good

A Question of leadership? No more heroes Relationships across partnerships Culture eats strategy for breakfast The way we do things around here What and how but also why Invert the triangle Outcomes, Outcomes, Outcomes There’s a dance to be danced

Everything you need to know about leadership in three minutes…

Common language Better diagnosis Better intervention Better outcomes Changing behaviours

Transforming life chances: How serious are you ? Your choice

Trying hard is not good enough

Thank you for listening.