Decision details

The Chair welcomed Brendan Lee, Head of Children Social Care North, to the table.

In autumn 2015, Ofsted carried out an inspection of children's services in Lancashire. It focused on the experiences and progress of children in need of help and protection, children looked after and care leavers. It also included looking at the effectiveness of services and arrangements to help these children, including adoption and fostering.

A letter accompanying the report, summarised Ofsted's findings from the fifth monitoring visit since the local authority was judged inadequate in the autumn 2015. Members welcomed the letter and the support work being done by dedicated staff.

It was reported that there had been significant areas of progress but there were still some areas for improvement. A lot of consultation had taken place with other authorities who had gone through the process.

In relation to the information provided on the current issues around permanence, the Committee agreed that the process around assessment of need and evaluation of options required further work to ensure that the right placements were identified to meet the child's current and future needs.

It was noted that there were significant developments within the Fostering and Adoption Service to improve the process in relation to a more timely adoption of young children. Members requested a briefing and update on the work going on and a timeline on how long the work would take.

Resolved: That;

  i.  The report be noted

  ii.  A briefing note be circulated to members following the October monitoring visit