Herts Children’s Trust Partnership: Progress and Performance 2009/10 Making a Positive Difference to the Lives of Children and Young People John Harris – Chair, HCTP Executive HCTP TOPIC GROUP 17 th June 2010

Overview Messages from Inspection CYPP 2009/10: Progress Report Future Challenges

OfSTED Children’s Services Rating 08/09 ‘Performs Adequately’ Assessment places more weight on inspections than PIs Rating limited as no inspection of safeguarding since 2007 Recent improvements in safeguarding noted – but not validated by inspection School inspections mainly good or outstanding Early years inspections average Inspections of Adoption, Fostering Children’s Homes good Services for vulnerable children variable Impact on ‘narrowing the gap’ limited – difference in outcomes for more vulnerable children wider than nationally

Children and Young People’s Plan Safeguarding Children and Young People Narrowing the Gap between Vulnerable and All Children Service Management

Priority 1 Good progress following unannounced inspection Recovery in timeliness of assessment and reduction in referrals Evidence of good impact after ‘Right Response’ changes, including introduction of Targeted Advice Service Increasing evidence of use of CAF Improved impact of HSCB Two priorities for action following unannounced inspection Drift in reducing number of children subject to child protection plans for more than two years Key performance risk from inspection – ‘Turning the Curve on Safeguarding’

Priority 2 Improvements in relation to timeliness of reviews, health checks, absence from school, and care leavers in suitable accommodation Placement stability in line with comparators Number of CLA significantly above comparators Quality of care planning and casework mixed Gap between educational achievement of CLA and all Hertfordshire children widening

Priority 3 Anti-bullying practice effectively embedded in schools Good multi-agency working to tackle bullying in schools and the community Innovative practice recognised regionally and nationally Data shows fewer children experiencing bullying, a fall in the number of bullying and racist incidents in schools, and higher number of pupils report schools tackling bullying well Incidence of cyber bullying increased although overall level is comparatively low

Priority 4 New dedicated 24/7 psychiatric service Almost 100% of all outpatient appointments received within 13 weeks Early Intervention Service and Challenging Behaviour Psychology Service commissioned Progress towards comprehensive CAMHS more limited than comparable areas

Priority 5 Improving take up of high quality school meals Healthy Schools designation above target High level of participation in quality PE and sport Breast feeding prevalence improving but still below comparators and target Obesity rates improving but below target

Priority 6 Major progress in narrowing the gap at Foundation Stage for 20% lowest achieving children All 82 Children’s Centres designated with high parental satisfaction rates Improved take up of early years provision in targeted deprived areas

Priority 7 Good progress overall in narrowing gaps in educational achievement – ‘green flag’ candidate Continuing challenges to narrow gaps for CLA, pupils with SEND, Travellers, pupils of Pakistani and Bangladeshi heritage

Priority 8 Progress in establishing systematic framework of short break services Improved transition arrangements to adult services Improved parent/carer involvement Improved joint commissioning and multi- agency working Parental satisfaction rates improving but below comparators and nationally

Priority 9 Lowest proportion of NEET young people in any county in England – green flag candidate High and increasing participation in positive activities Good progress in introducing Diplomas and Foundation Learning Tier Fall in take up of apprenticeships although expansion plans in place

Priority 10 Active engagement by Youth Board Increasing use of Channel Mogo Good progress in developing CLA Council and Pledge

Priority 11 Poverty levels below England and regional average Targeted initiatives through HAFLS to promote access to learning and skills Initiatives to improve access to financial support through Money Advice Unit ‘Think Family’ making impact after slow start

Priority 12 Falling numbers of first time entrants to criminal justice system Reducing teenage pregnancy but some areas remain challenging Positive impact of UK Resilience Programme and its alignment with other programmes

Future Challenges Aligning CYPP priorities with programmes of new Coalition Government Engaging schools more directly in the design and delivery of services Systematic early intervention and prevention Joint Financial Strategy in context of reducing funding, with lead from LA, NHS and Police Readiness for inspection of safeguarding and CLA Simplifying governance and reducing complexity