Decision Maker: Children, Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Purpose:
Annual report of the Principal Social
Worker.
Decisions:
The Chair welcomed Tonya Harrison, Principal
Social Worker, Louise Anderson, Director of Children's Social Care,
Amy Ingham, Senior Family Support Worker/Apprentice Social Worker,
and Briony Carter, Social Worker, to the meeting. County Councillor
Cosima Towneley, Cabinet Member for Childrens and Families also
supported the presentation of this item.
The report set out the progress made against
the annual plan of the Principal Social Worker, as well as the
progress made with regards to developing a highly skilled and
stable workforce that could safeguard the children of Lancashire. A
presentation was also given, a copy of which is attached to the
minutes.
Comments and queries raised from the committee
were as follows:
- The achievement of reducing social
worker vacancies from 153 in 2022 to just 12 in 2024 was
highlighted by the committee.
- The two social workers in attendance
at the meeting, Amy Ingham and Briony Carter, were asked to share
their hands-on experiences working as a social worker at the county
council, and it was noted that they felt valued and supported
during their training, which motivated them to continue supporting
vulnerable families.
- The significance of creating a
supportive and valued workforce was highlighted and it was noted
that coffee and cake sessions were introduced to gather direct
feedback from social workers, which in turn helped shape strategic
approaches and workforce development.
- The committee inquired on the gender
distribution among social workers, and it was noted that while the
number of male social workers had increased over the years, the
profession remained predominantly female. However, specific data
could be shared with members of the committee, following the
meeting.
- A career pathway had been developed
to outline training and development opportunities. It was designed
to be an interactive tool for practitioners to assess their
performance and identify future career opportunities.
- The benefits of both face-to-face
and online training were highlighted, and it was noted that while
online training offered flexibility, especially post-pandemic,
face-to-face training was crucial for social work due to the need
for in-person interaction and shared learning.
- The number of social workers
proficient in British Sign Language (BSL) was not known but could
be provided to the committee at a later
date.
- 49 social workers were recruited
from overseas in the previous year and although their adjustment
period took longer than expected, the county council remained open
to international recruitment. However, it was noted that there were
no immediate plans for further international recruitment at this
time.
- It was noted that a glossary of
acronyms for the report had been circulated to the committee, a
copy of which is attached to the minutes.
The Chair thanked the Cabinet Members and
officers for the report and for answering the committees'
questions.
Resolved: That the following
recommendation be shared with the Cabinet Member for Children and
Families:
(i)
That the committee supported the ongoing work of the Principal
Social Worker and invited them to return to give an update to the
committee on an annual basis.
Corporate Priorities : Caring for the vulnerable;
Divisions Affected: (All Divisions);
Contact: Louise Anderson (Director of Children's Social Care), Director of Children's Social Care Email: Louise.Anderson2@lancashire.gov.uk, Hannah Lysons Email: hannah.lysons@lancashire.gov.uk.
Report author: Hannah Lysons
Date of decision: 06/11/2024
Decided at meeting: 06/11/2024 - Children, Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee
Accompanying Documents: