1. Assessment & Planning for children In Hertfordshire Margaret Doe External Support Team

2. Why are you here? Following the JAR (Joint Area Review) published in August 2007 the external support team were appointed by the DCSF & Hertfordshire The role of the EST is to provide support and challenge to Hertfordshire Children Schools & Families on the critical areas rated as inadequate by the JAR

3. Areas of Concern August 2007 Arrangements for safeguarding children & young people are inadequate The contribution of local services to improving outcomes for looked after children & young people is inadequate Services for children& Young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities‘ are adequate although there is insufficient provision for those with less complex needs

4. Areas of concern August 2007 In schools young people’s achievement is good and improving up to 16, but remains only adequate overall post 16. Attainment of key minority ethnic groups has improved at key stages 1,2, and 3 but improvement processes are having insufficient impact on raising attainment at key stage 4 and school sixth forms

5. Areas of concern August 2007 High and variable thresholds for access to child protection services No quality assurance system to ensure children on the child protection register and those looked after are seen by social workers within timescales and alone High degree in variability in the quality and timeliness of social care assessments Inaccurate electronic data Lack of agreed multi-Agency eligibility criteria (CAF)

6. Areas of concern August 2007 Variable quality of care planning ranging from excellent to poor Consequently there was some poor planning leading to inappropriate delays in providing services to looked after children and in some cases a delay in returning home

7. JAR Grades Safeguarding ~ 1 Looked After Children ~ 1 Learning difficulties/disabilities ~ 2 Service Management ~ 2 CAPACITY TO IMPROVE ~ 3 It was recognised that there had been improvements and the capacity to improve was good

8. Key Recommendations Ensure that children & young people on the child protection register and those who are looked after receive visits within timescales and are seen alone and that visits are recorded and monitored by managers Ensure data quality is robust and can be used for effective strategic planning, service management, resource allocation and performance management

9. Key Recommendations Ensure that children& young people are involved consistently in quality assurance activities and service planning Identify oversight and leadership for vulnerable groups such as black and minority ethnic groups within the Children’s Trust Partnership

10. Key Recommendations Ensure statutory requirements are met regarding timely children’s looked after reviews ensuring focused and consistent implementation of care plans Looked After Children should have an allocated qualified social worker

11. Progress to date Timeliness of Initial Assessments and Core Assessments much better Children being seen and alone monitoring LAC reviews improving Audit systems in place (File Audits) Recruitment and retention is still a priority with currently 30 vacancies across the county

12. Progress to date The implementation of Integrated Children’s Systems is underway Templates for assessments are also in place Data information is improving

13. The Focus Now Improve the quality and consistency of all care planning and specifically Looked After Children Ensuring care plans are implemented and children achieve the right outcome Care planning to include children in need care plans You Are on Track!!!

14. How to get the most from the workshops Curiosity Resourcefulness Openness Flexibility Adopt a different point of view Look for solutions rather than problems Know what you want to go away with