Venue: / St Olaves, St Peter’s School, York.
Present: / (RT) Roger Thompson, Independent Chairperson
(JC) Joe Cocker, CYSCB Manager
(DR) Debra Radford, Children’s Service Manager, NSPCC
(ER) Eoin Rush, AD, Childrens Specialist Services, LCCS, CYC
(JA) Joanne Atkins, Area Manager Public Protection, North Yorkshire Probation Service
(CA) Claire Anderton, North Yorkshire Local Medical Committee
(SO) Sarah Olorenshaw, Quality Assurance Manager, CYC
(NS) Nick Sinclair, Substance Misuse Pathways Officer, CYC
(RB) Dr. Robin Ball, Designated Doctor, York Hospital
(CWa) Craig Waugh, York CVS
(TD) Tracy Dale, NY&Y PCT
(JR) John Roughton, 0-10 Group Manager, CYC
(SR) Sue Roughton, Designated Nurse, Nurse Consultant Safeguarding Children, NHSNYY
(JS) Jen Slaughter, Associate Director Safeguarding& Child Protection, NY&YPCT
(JH) Jill Hodges, Assistant Director of School Improvement and Staff Development, CYC
(AD) Amanda Dickinson, CYSCB Administrator, Minutes
Apologies: / (MH) Margaret Harvey, Service Manager, Cafcass (LB) Lesley Barringer, Head teacher, Osbaldwick Primary School
(SW) Steve Waddington, Head of Housing Services, CYC
(AB) Ann Bygrave, Assistant Director Assessment & Personalisation, CYC
(BR) Bill Redlin, Director Of Standards, NY & Y PCT
(SF) Susan Field, HMP Askham Bryan
(BS) Bill Scriven, Headteacher All Saints RC School
(MP) Melanie Perara, Principal Solicitor, CYC
(LC) Lynda Corker, Programme Manager, PACT Project
(JO) John Owen-Barnett, CP Lead, St Peters School
(DC) Dee Cooley, Safeguarding Advisor Children’s Workforce, CYSCB
(CW) Caroline Williamson, Safeguarding Advisor Education, CYSCB
(PD) Pete Dwyer, Director of Education, Resource Management, CYC
((NC) Nigel Costello, DCI, North Yorkshire Police
(RP) Cllr Ruth Potter, Education, Children & Young Peoplw
(SP) Simon Page, Head Of Integrated Youth Support Services, CYC
(CR) Carol Redmond, Service Manager, C&AMHS
Introduction: RT welcomed everyone to the City of York Safeguarding Children Board and thanked partners for attending. The minutes from the CYSCB meeting on the 27th April 2011 were agreed as an accurate account. RT noted that attendance at the meeting was significantly down and reiterated that it is essential that members make attendance at Board meetings a high priority
1. –Matters Arising from CYSCB minutes
Item: Pg2 Point 1
JC & AD have not managed to contact Richard Balmer regarding the Dental Referral Route for vulnerable groups of people
Item: Pg 2 Point 2 CYSCB News letter
JC confirmed that the Newsletter has been published on the website
Item: Pg 7 Point 8 Case File Auditing
JC reported that in preparation for the inspection a group of agency case files have been identified. The PPMG will lead on this piece of work
Item: Pg 7, Point 9 CYSCB Annual Report
JC confirmed that the Annual Report had been published on the website.
2. Unit Reports– JC, DC & CW
Item:Reporting Accidents Within Childcare Settings
The CYSCB was informed by CYC Early Years that Ofsted now require childcare providers to report serious accidents and deaths occurring within the settings to their ‘local child protection agency’. Clarification has been sought from Ofsted on how they defined a local child protection agency and they replied that Ofsted is the office for standards in education, children’s services and skills in England. They went on to state that their role is to inspect schools/ children’s services and report on findings, issues such as this fall outside their legal remit, and as Ofsted does not regulate child protection agencies they cannot stipulate what records should be kept by them.
Work has been undertaken with Early Years to develop a reporting process whereby all accidents reports are submitted to the CYSCB. The CYSCB will review notifications with the purpose of identifying safeguarding concerns.
Discussion: It was agreed that this issue should be referred back to the DFES for clarification.
Item: Neglect
A request has been received from Doncaster LSCB to provide a learning session to Board members on some of the early findings from the thematic review of neglect.
Discussion: It was confirmed that CYSCB would not be charging Doncaster LSCB for this session.
Item: Domestic Violence
Lewis Raw of NY Police has completed the Domestic Abuse Problem Profile for North Yorkshire and York. There are some interesting features (e.g. 10% of children of perpetrators of domestic abuse are linked to other types of crime), but most of it will not be surprising (e.g. that York continues to have the highest rate of domestic abuse incidents in the county). The report is not for wider circulation until after its discussion at the JCG to be held on 28th July 2011.
Discussion: JR reported that the local picture of DV, in certain York wards, is worryingly high. However arrests leading to convictions in York are the 3rd highest in North Yorkshire. The Polices response to DV has had a positive impact in dealing with perpetrators.
DC will circulate the report when agreed by the JCG, and will provide a summary and analysis of the information, in relation to York, for the next Board meeting.
3. Lead Officer Reports
Item: Serious Case Reviews - SR
The SCR process has come under national scrutiny over the past five years due to the variable quality of the reviews. There has been a need to improve quality but the Ofsted evaluation process has tended to focus on standardising and measuring the quality of the processes rather than the effectiveness of outcomes.
In her review of child protection Professor Eileen Munroe was specifically asked by the Government to look at the SCR process. Her final report including SCR recommendations can be downloaded on:
Whilst waiting for the Government response to the Munroe review the CYSCB SCR Panel remains committed to identifying issues and concerns relating to single and interagency child protection practice.
Currently there is a Serious Case Review ongoing, which relates to a very young baby who suffered a likely shaking injury and subsequently died. All IMR’s and the health overview report are with the Author for the Serious Cases Overview report which will be presented to the October 2011CYSCB.
Action plans and recommendations from all previous SCR’s and learning lessons reviews continue to be monitored these should be ready for signing off at the October 2011 CYSCB.
A Single Agency Review was undertaken by an Ann Gladwin, independent author, on behalf of Children’s Social Care and presented to the Panel in June.
The review identified a number of practice shortfalls in Children’s Social Care’s management of the case, most notably in the lack of management oversight and supervision of an agency social worker and the absence of case recording.
The Panel awaits an Action Plan from Children’s Social Care, implementation of which will be monitored by the Panel.
Three new cases were referred to the panel for consideration but they did not meet the criteria for a review.
Discussion: RT commended Ann Gladwin on the quality and comprehensiveness of the single agency review.
Item: Six Monthly Training Activity Report -DC& DR
The unit runs a range of multi-agency course at no charge to attendees but charges for commissioned events/inputs. CYSCB offers some targeted training to partners where no additional charge is levied and supports and/or delivers some additional learning events where appropriate. Feedback was extremely good across the board, with both delegates and managers reporting that they valued the training, and would continue to use it. The SA (CW) and Board lead officer for training will analyse the results and recommend any future actions to the Board.
Work is currently taking place to develop a multi-agency peer supervision model in the City, with associated training. The SA (CW) and the SA (Ed) are both involved in this work.
The Sexual Exploitation and Risky Behaviours training will be reviewed in light of the development work-taking place in relation to this Board objective.
There are plans to co-write and facilitate a course looking at safeguarding in relation to young people's own substance misuse.
The thematic review is expected to report in the autumn, and associated briefings and training will be developed. Dates are currently being agreed, and venues booked for these.
It is recommended that the post course impact be evaluated again, across the core CYSCB courses later in 2011, and the Board Training lead officer report the findings to the January 2012 CYSCB meeting.
That in 2012 the CYSCB focus on post course impact evaluation of Neglect learning events (to be rolled out from Autumn 2011).
Discussion: The CYSCB agreed the recommendations. JH reported that a new Ofsted education framework would be coming out in January 2012 around behaviour and safety. LA training for this framework will take place on 9th September and Caroline Williamson will be invited to attend.
Discussion took place around the level of CP training that was required from GP’s. CA reported that as a guideline level 2 and 3 was strongly advised. CA commented that a base level course would be useful.
It was noted as a concern that there was little representation recorded at the CYSCB training from VCS and Health. JS will compile a report and look at getting more Health representation at the training.
4. Child Sexual Exploitation – RT & DC
The report tabled updated Board members on progress made against the development of the Board objective in relation to Child Sexual Exploitation.
The stakeholder group, with RT as strategic level lead, held its first meeting on 23rd June 2011 with the next meeting planned for 21st July 2011. RT will report to the YOR-OK Children’s Trust Board. Draft terms of reference have yet to be agreed by the group. The group as a whole will report progress on recommendations directly to the CYSCB.
Discussion: There is still concern around the reports definition of CSE. JA suggested that CEOP’s definition of CSE was very good. A full report on progress in York will be tabled at the October CYSCB
5. New Front Door Service Update & Management Information – JR
The new service combines Referral and Assessment, Advice and Early Intervention in a team equivalent to 7.5 posts based at 10-12 George Hudson St. Currently two months into the process and quite successful with high demand. Feedback has been positive.
Part of the new integrated service has been working since September supporting the Common Assessment Framework. The intention is the social workers need not be involved unless their expertise is needed.
The new team working in a new field will need to be evaluated to ensure that thresholds and language used remain consistent.
Eventually there will be 16.5-17 posts working at the front line. A new pilot involves Health Visitors joining the daily case management meetings. Lorraine Fox is coordinating HV’s evaluation of the pilot.
New roles of Education advisors moved to Front Door positions have received positive feedback from schools.
A more substantive report will be tabled at the October CYSCB
The Management Information pack tabled has been revised on the basis of feedback to include information on looked after children. In due course information relating to the impact of the ‘New Front Door’ service will also be included.
Of concern is the underlying increase in the number of children requiring a CSC service. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of children becoming subject to CP plans in the last quarter. Registration categories continue to show neglect as the predominating category of concern. The thematic review may identify the need for a broader strategy with respect to addressing the impact of these issues on the welfare of children in York.
The Board is asked to consider the tabled report in the context of its connection to the wider business of the CY and its relationship to the Yorok board, as the current trends highlighted in the report are concerning, and are indicative of the need for renewed and coordinated strategic response.
Discussion: There is general concern around the issue of information sharing at multi agency meetings. MAreported that Probation has lost their secure email address and the councils secure email system is very cumbersome.
The Board will be interested to learn what the thematic review observes around neglect thresholds. JC stated that if neglect can be named at an earlier stage services could step in earlier, with better outcomes. JR stated that the business plan should tackle these upturns in CSC services; there is a need to understand what these figures are all about. It was agreed that the present economic climate would impinge on family life. Historically recession co relates to upturns in CP figures and it is a problem across the whole country not just in York and impacts on all agencies. Also the child population is growing, larger numbers of children are coming through Primary school. It was noted that the sexual abuse figures are down to 0 with no children presently on the register.
6. Private Fostering – MM
Deferred to October 2011
7. QA – CP Conferences – SO
The tabled report is a brief overview of the information arising in relation to Q4, outlining key performance in relation to child protection conference process.
Recommended actions arising from this report
1. It is recommended that closer scrutiny is given to the recent increase in children made subject to protection plans and to those made subject to court proceedings, in an attempt to identify any emergent trends / practice issues.
2. All agencies to ensure that conference reports are available to the conference chair at least 1 full working day prior to the meeting (ideally 3 working days ahead).
3. The CYSCB Professional Practice Monitoring Group to steer development and promotion of guidance notes and training materials for professionals to assist in the completion of reports for conference and to promote a child centred approach to planning and review.
4. Social Workers must always prepare a written report prior to the conference. The social worker should discuss the report with the parents and provide them with a copy prior to the conference. If critical information is not available to the IRO prior to the conference the IRO will make a decision about whether it is appropriate to proceed with the meeting, or whether it should be postponed until all essential information is available.
5. Admin coordinators now have access to PDF writers to address the delays previously caused by internal processes associated with the scanning of documents.
6. A review of the current monitoring arrangements is currently being undertaken as part of the Quality Assurance and administrative restructures to ensure best use of resources to optimise positive outcomes for children.
Discussion: NS enquired if there would be any analysis done on the invitation and attendance of drug workers at conferences. SR expressed concern that only 46% of midwives invited to conferences are attending. JS informed the meeting that a named midwife is now in post 20hrs per week, which should improve these figures.
8. Munroe Review – JC
Information item
The final report from Eileen Munroe was published in May 2011 promising a radical shift from previous reforms, which resulted in too much bureaucracy and a loss of focus on the needs of the child. The report should be welcomed for the freedom and flexibility it offers in responding to the needs of society’s most vulnerable children.
Access to the final report can be found at
The CYSCB is now awaiting the government response in due course.
Discussion: The board welcomedProfessor Munroe’s strong recommendation to reduce processes and the move away from target driven approaches to more local ones.
9. Budget- RT
Projected expenditure for 2011/12 exceeds income by approximately £19,700. However, due to the caring forward of a surplus, accrued in past years due to staffing vacancies, the actual deficit is £2,276.
The total income for the CYSCB equals £187,917 of which £5,150 is income generated by the CYSCB Unit. However, as generated income is not reliable, the income should be taken as £182,767. Consequently, the underlying deficit for 20011/12 equals £24,801.
The projected expenditure 2011/12 equals £207,568 of which 78% is accounted for by salaries (including chairing), 9% to CDOP, and totalling 87% (£176,228) for essential expenditure. Of the remaining, £18,840 is accounted for as an amount to cover accommodation recharge (covered in full by CYC), leaving £12,500 for the CYSCB Unit’s running costs (travel, training, stationary, equipment and staff development).
Consideration has been given to other areas of the CYSCB budget to achieve either savings or generate income:
- Levying a charge to training course participants
- Further reduction in staffing hours
- Ceasing the arrangements for independent chairing of the CYSCB
It should be noted that when considering the options below that no one option would provide the required savings.
Discussion: RT has raised the budget issues many times and the underlying deficit has never been addressed. It is proposed that 3 budget holders meet to discuss.
10. Children Who Harm – JC
The problem of devising a satisfactory process to deal with children who harm in York has been around for a many years with the solution continuing to be elusive. It is acknowledged that the current processes for dealing with children who harm are deficient. However, experience shows that even the current procedure is often not followed and the complex needs of the alleged perpetrator and the risk they pose too often go un-addressed.
Although the issues arising from children who harm cases has elements in common with other child protection cases, there are significant differences. Such cases require a response from a range of agencies, each of which has a distinct role, although no one agency has overall ownership or a duty to coordinate the response from the agencies involved. Therefore, whilst Children’s Social Care (CSC) and the Police have a specific duty to protect children at risk of significant harm, children who harm often fall between the gaps in between the individual agencies remits.
Work has been undertaken jointly with the North Yorkshire LSCB to develop a common process for dealing with children who harm. Unfortunately, despite the time already invested there appears to be little progress. Therefore, in order to ensure the development of an effect process it is felt that the problem should be addressed locally.