Yvette Stanley, Director of Children’s, Schools and Families, gave a presentation outlining the outcomes of the recent Ofsted Single Inspection and LSCB review.  The following points were highlighted:

·         This was a forensic inspection of Merton’s services which even included a visit from the new Minister;

·         Over 206 staff and partners were interviewed;

·         Additionally, members of the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel were interviewed.  Ofsted complimented the Panel for its cross party working for the benefit of vulnerable children in Merton.  Additionally, the Panel was credited for receiving a full suit of performance monitoring indicators at every meeting;

·         The inspection has confirmed that Merton is in the top 10 local authorities nationally for its provision of children’s services;

·         Ofsted found that managers and social workers know their children well.  This reflects the approach of having small teams within the Department allowing clear line of sight and understanding of all cases;

·         The important role of schools and settings in helping to deliver services was also highlighted by Ofsted;

·         Merton’s systemic model and approach to safeguarding was found to be robust by Ofsted; this works to ensure children are heard and where possible child in need, protection and care plans are focussed on making children safer and improving their outcomes as a result;

·         Merton’s good multiagency working was highlighted;

·         The Council had just started a new contract for return home interviews with missing children.  This will as it is embedded be providing high quality interviews.  The process has been shortened meaning interviews are happening quicker.  However, this was too newly established to be able to influence the outcome of the inspection; and

·         The weekly Missing meetings hosted in the MASH and The Children Missing from Education Board were both developed based on Ofsted best practice and therefore were also praised as part of the inspection.

Looked after children

·         The approach of the Corporate Parenting Board with the involvement of opposition members and the Chief Executive as chair, was praised by Ofsted;

·         Merton’s approach to care proceedings was credited with being the best out of boroughs using the South West London courts;

·         Care planning was seen to be effective in a significant majority of cases;

·         All out of borough placements have to be reviewed and approved with a review undertaken of potential risks;

·         The Virtual School was seen to be supporting children in achieving the right targets which are expressed through personal education plans;

·         Merton was again complimented for its multidisciplinary working;

·         Placements for children were shown to be stable resulting in positive outcomes; and

·         Services for young unaccompanied asylum seekers impressed Ofsted.

Adoption

·         The service gained a rare outstanding judgement.  This is against a backdrop of all services having been challenged by Government to improve;

·         At the time of the inspection, all children had been placed with their adoptive families with none waiting placements.  The service was praised for the timely and careful way in which it approaches placements;

·         The quality of the assessment of adoptive parents and life story work was regarded as impressive;

·         Care leavers were seen to be known well with the service working hard to achieve good outcomes on their behalf; and

·         The fact that the service remains in touch with 97% of care leavers demonstrates the quality of the relationship and the effective approach being taken to case load management.

Leadership, management and governance

·         The longevity of the service of the Director and commitment made to Children’s Services from the top of the Council (notably the Chief Executive and members) were noted along with cross-party support; and

·         Merton’s practice model (Signs of Safety) was noted for placing children at its centre and allowing support for families without losing sight of the risks.  Partners increasingly understand the practice model.

Recommendations

·         65% of case work was judged good or outstanding with most of the rest requires improvement;

·         The Staying Put policy has a financial cost which needs to be recognised.  However, two more young people in foster care have taken up the opportunity for Staying Put since the Ofsted inspection and we now have five young people in Staying Put placements;

·         Work is ongoing with the service provider to improve provision of health histories; and

·         The recommendations are challenging but not complex.  The Department is putting together an action plan which has to be sent off to Ofsted in the next few weeks.

Merton Safeguarding Children Board

·         This has gone through a period of change with a focus on quality assurance.  It was judged outstanding by Ofsted.  There are no recommendations that relate to the board.

In response to member questions, the Director clarified:

·         Future aims: the service is constantly thinking what it can do better for children.  This is against a background of declining funding and changing demographics; there are now 4,000 additional children in Merton’s primary schools with a growing number needing specialist services; and

·         Families from other boroughs: once placed in the borough the duty for support passes to Merton.  This applies equally to families that Merton places out of borough.  This situation has arisen because of the pressure on housing in London.  As a result, councils are having to come up with increasingly creative ways in which to house their residents. 

RESOLVED: all Panel members wanted to express their thanks to the Director and her officers for all their hard work that has achieved this Ofsted judgement.  The members agreed to write to partners to thank them for their contribution to the Ofsted judgement.