Issue - meetings

At its meeting on 14 November 2023, the Children's Scrutiny Committee considered the Report of the Recruitment and Retention Spotlight Review (Minute 121 refers), which had been held on 26 July 2023, detailing the findings and recommendations of the Spotlight Review.

This work stemmed from earlier work on Social Work Workforce Recruitment and Retention Spotlight Review and a SEND Task Group which had recommended a follow-up Spotlight Review on recruitment and retention to make further recommendations that could support Children’s Services achieving a stable, permanent workforce.

The Children’s Scrutiny Committee RESOLVED

(a) that the Recruitment and Retention Spotlight Review report be commended to the Cabinet;

(b) that Cabinet be asked to endorse and take action on the 12 recommendations contained in the report;

(c) that in response, Cabinet be asked to agree a recommendations action plan detailing how and when any agreed recommendations will be enacted; and

(d) that Cabinet be asked to report back to this Committee in June 2024 on progress made against the recommendations.

Recommendation

The Cabinet thanks the Childrens Scrutiny Committee for their informative Report. The Cabinet Member for Childrens Services and Schools will work with Childrens Services to produce an action plan on the 12 recommendations outlined in the Report which will be reported back to Childrens Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED that the Childrens Scrutiny Committee be thanked for their informative Report. The Cabinet Member for Childrens Services and Schools will work with Childrens Services to produce an action plan on the 12 recommendations outlined in the Report which will be reported back to Childrens Scrutiny Committee.

(Councillors Biederman and Brazil attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

The Cabinet noted that at its meeting on 14 November 2023, the Children's Scrutiny Committee considered the Report of the Recruitment and Retention Spotlight Review (Minute 121 refers), which had been held on 26 July 2023, detailing the findings and recommendations of the Spotlight Review.

This work stemmed from earlier work on Social Work Workforce Recruitment and Retention Spotlight Review and a SEND Task Group which had recommended a follow-up Spotlight Review on recruitment and retention to make further recommendations that could support Children’s Services achieving a stable, permanent workforce.

The Children’s Scrutiny Committee had RESOLVED

(a) that the Recruitment and Retention Spotlight Review report be commended to the Cabinet;

(b) that Cabinet be asked to endorse and take action on the 12 recommendations contained in the report;

(c) that in response, Cabinet be asked to agree a recommendations action plan detailing how and when any agreed recommendations will be enacted; and

(d) that Cabinet be asked to report back to this Committee in June 2024 on progress made against the recommendations.

It was MOVED by Councillor Leadbetter, SECONDED by Councillor Hart, and

RESOLVED that the Childrens Scrutiny Committee be thanked for their informative Report. The Cabinet Member for Childrens Services and Schools will work with Childrens Services to produce an action plan on the 12 recommendations outlined in the Report which will be reported back to Childrens Scrutiny Committee.

Spotlight Review (LDS/23/18), attached.

The Committee considered the report of the Spotlight Review on Children’s Services Recruitment and Retention held on 26 July 2023, which detailed the findings and recommendations of the Spotlight Review.

The Children’s Scrutiny Committee had previously completed a Social Work Workforce Recruitment and Retention Spotlight Review in December 2020. In November 2022, the SEND Task Group concluded and found recruitment and retention challenges in the SEND and Education teams and recommended a follow-up Spotlight Review on recruitment and retention be completed in order to look into any further recommendations that could be made to support Children’s Services achieving a stable, permanent workforce.

It was MOVED by Councillor Aves, SECONDED by Councillor Brazil and

RESOLVED

(a)     that the Recruitment and Retention Spotlight Review report be commended to the Cabinet;

(b)     that Cabinet be asked to endorse and take action on the 12 recommendations contained in the report;

(c)     that in response, Cabinet be asked to agree a recommendations action plan detailing how and when any agreed recommendations will be enacted; and

(d)     that Cabinet be asked to report back to this Committee in June 2024 on progress made against the recommendations.