Issue - meetings

The Board received the findings of the recent Ofsted focused visit to the Integrated Contact and Referral Team (iCART) and its recommendations.

It was reported that Ofsted had implemented a new inspection framework for children’s social care.  As Halton currently had a ‘requiring improvement’ judgement from its single inspection in 2014, it would receive two focussed visits and a standard two week inspection over a 3 year period.  It was noted that with regards to timing and type of inspection, Ofsted made judgements on these based on their intelligence, published data and their analysis of risk in how a local authority was performing.

Appended to the report was the Inspector’s letter containing the findings of the focussed visit to iCART in July 2018.   Members were advised that overall the letter outlined a strong service that served families well and safeguarded children appropriately.   There were no areas for immediate action and only three recommendations were made, which had already been responded to.  

In response to one Member’s query about the comment made regarding partners ‘not always effectively capturing the voice of the child’ and what could be done about this, it was noted that partnership working was still improving and ‘iCART workshops’ were planned specifically for partners in the near future.

On behalf of the Board the Chair passed on thanks to the staff concerned with the inspection.  He also reminded the Board that Climbie visits could be carried out by Members at any time and were valuable, as they provided an insight into the work being carried out by social workers.

RESOLVED:  That the Board notes the Ofsted letter and the significant improvement in the service since the single inspection in 2014.