Issue - meetings

          The Board received an update on the quality of practice in Children’s services through audit findings. As noted previously in the meeting, AI was being used to help record discussions and this would save practitioners time with trying to record discussions. Families had given positive feedback to social workers, and the Council’s audits showed that practice had improved. Training had been undertaken with partners to improve referrals to the Council.

The following points arose from the discussion:

·       A Board Member noted that there had not been an improvement with care leaver audit reports being finished. This was especially needed for children in out of county placements.

·       Officers confirmed a reduction in the audit reports being submitted. Teams had been advised that this was unacceptable as the reports were needed to monitor progress.

·       Internally, work had been done with getting reports done. The Social Worker Academy had recently finished working with Children’s Services regarding their audit reports and they will not start work with the Care Leavers Team.

·       The data in the report needed to be treated with caution as the small samples provided could skew the figures.

·       The LGA (Local Government Association) will audit the Care Leaver Service in October 2025. This will include looking at audit reports and talking to care leavers and staff about their experience.

·       It was confirmed that each review for care leavers totalled 7% of the total amount.

          RESOLVED:

          That the report be noted.