Page 45 Agenda Item 5b b Children and Young Peoples Scrutiny Sub-Committee June 2008 Action Plan Progress Report following Audit Commission Audit of Children and Young Peoples Service against Bichard Recommendations All Wards Report authorised by : Phyllis Dunipace Executive Director Children and Young Peoples Service Executive summary The Audit Commission conducted an Audit of Lambeth Children and Young Peoples Service (CYPS) to evaluate progress being made in implementing the findings from the Bichard Inquiry which was set up by the Government to identify failures following the murder of Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells by Ian Huntley in Soham in 2004. There had been public disquiet when it was discovered that Ian Huntley had been known to the authorities over a number of years. The Audit of Lambeth CYPS took place in late 2006 and reported in early 2007. Since that time a Steering group headed by the Divisional Director of Children’s Social Care Yashi Shah has implemented an action plan designed to deliver the recommendations of the Audit. This report outlines the progress made to date in delivering the recommendations of the Audit. Many of the recommendations made in the Bichard Inquiry are now included in statutory guidance and London wide procedures, and responsibility for this work is now included in the governance arrangements of Lambeth Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) which has a dedicated inter agency sub committee for this area of work. Summary of financial implications None Recommendations (1) That Committee note the progress being made in implementing the recommendations of the Audit Commission Audit against the Bichard recommendations. (2) That Committee instruct officers to prepare a further report in 6 months. Page 1 of 16 Page 46 Consultation Name of Directorate or Organisation Date sent Date Comments consultee to response appear in report consultee received para: from consultee Internal Phyllis Dunipace Executive Director of Children 28.5.08 and Young Peoples Services Fateha Salim Head of Legal Services 28.5.08 Farrukh Akbar Divisional Director Resources 28.5.08 Report history Date report drafted: Report Date report sent: Report no.: deadline: 26.05.08 06.06.08 30.5.08 76/08-09 Report author and contact for queries: Cathy Blair Assistant Director Social Care 020 7926 4526 [email protected] Background documents An Independent Inquiry Arising from the Soham Murders - Sir Michael Bichard Implementation of Bichard Recommendations - Audit Commission Report into London Borough of Lambeth 2006-07 Appendices Appendix 1 London Borough of Lambeth Action Plan to implement recommendations arising from Audit Commission Report 2007 Page 47 Action Plan Progress Report following Audit Commission Audit of Children and Young People’s Service against Bichard Recommendations Context 1.1 Following the murder of Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells by Ian Huntley in Soham, Cambridgeshire there was widespread disquiet when it became clear that Ian Huntley had been known to the authorities over a number of years. The subsequent Bichard Inquiry into the child protection procedures in Humberside and Cambridge Constabulary was particularly critical of data handling and vetting arrangements in these two bodies. In addition to criticism of the police, the Bichard report published in June 2004, was critical of North East Lincolnshire Social Services Department for the lack of sharing of information with other agencies, including the police. The Bichard report noted that the interview and recruitment processes which led to Ian Huntley’s appointment at Soham Village College were also flawed. The parallel Serious Case Review 1 focused on a number of concerns regarding the way that Social Services, Schools, Education Departments and the Police exchanged information regarding allegations made against Ian Huntley. 1.2 The Audit Commission audited Lambeth Children and Young Peoples Service against the key recommendations of the Bichard Inquiry in late 2006, reporting in early 2007. Children and Young People’s service responded to the recommendations arising from the Audit through an action plan (Appendix 1) and the progress to date is reported below. Findings of Bichard Inquiry 1.3 In summary the key issues for the relevant services for children and young people and police authorities arising from the Bichard and Serious Case Review Reports were as follows: • There were inadequate arrangements in place to identify individuals whose patterns of offending behaviour cause concern • Agencies need to share intelligence on potential causes of concern more effectively • Poor document retention arrangements undermine the ability to identify full case histories • Inadequate training in procedures for reporting concerns for staffing contact with vulnerable children can prevent their early identification Audit Commission Process in Lambeth 2.4 The lead inspector interviewed a number of staff and read a number of documents to arrive at his findings. The staff and managers that were interviewed were as follows: 1 An independent review conducted by the Local Safeguarding Children Board whenever a child dies and abuse or neglect is suspected or confirmed Page 48 • A set up meeting with the Executive Director, and members of the senior management team • Interviews with senior managers • Key social services staff responsible for writing policies, securing compliance and commissioning • A secondary school head teacher • Directorate, and corporate HR leads • PCT as statutory partner Key Lines of Enquiry, Recommendations and Progress 2.5 The Audit Commission audit of London Borough of Lambeth focused on 8 key lines of enquiry. These are identified below, together with the recommendations arising from the audit and progress to date. Key Line of Enquiry 2.6 General Approach – how has Council tackled Bichard ? Recommendations Arising from Audit R1 Identify an individual with overall responsibility for implementing the Bichard Recommendations R2 Put in place a steering group with representatives of relevant staff groups and an action plan for establishing clear responsibilities and monitoring progress R3 Update the publication ‘There and Back Again’ with relevant references and guidance on the Bichard recommendations Progress to Date A steering group chaired by Yashi Shah Divisional Director for Children’s Social Care was established and Yashi Shah was identified as the lead officer for this work in the short term. From January 2008 the responsibility for progressing the work plan was transferred to Lambeth Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and a multiagency group chaired by the Assistant Director for Safeguarding within Social Care is responsible for continuing progress under the governance of LSCB. The Lambeth publication ‘There and Back Again’ which is a guide for schools involved in providing outdoor education and organising educational visits for children has been updated to reflect Bichard guidelines and re circulated. Key Line of Enquiry 2.7 Has a policy for reporting to the police incidences of alleged criminal offences or concerns regarding potential abuse been put in place? Recommendations Arising from Audit Page 49 R4 Produce an easily accessible summary of the policy for reporting to police for all for reporting to the police incidences of alleged criminal offences or concerns regarding potential abuse of children Progress to Date The All London Child protection procedures were launched in February 2008, this launch attracted over 200 professionals across Lambeth including the statutory and voluntary sectors and faith communities. The procedures include clear procedures for all staff to follow regarding the reporting of criminal offences against children. The LSCB safeguarding leaflet has been distributed council wide to raise awareness of everyone’s responsibility to report and respond to child abuse. A new screening form is included in the social care software for recording abuse and training has been provided to managers. In February LSCB launched a policy guidance on sexual exploitation of young people which re inforces best practice, and training on this and other safeguarding issues is ongoing. Key Line of Enquiry 1.7 Have all staff who have contact with children received appropriate guidance and training in the application of that policy? Recommendations Arising from Audit R5 Raise awareness of training opportunities and monitor attendance to ensure priority staff receive training and there is comprehensive coverage of all staff who have contact with children Progress to Date National online training has been available to Head teachers and school Governors since July 05. This has been publicised in the Lambeth ‘Working Together’ newsletter. Heads and Governors have voiced a preference for traditional training sessions over online sessions. Three members of staff at Lambeth have been accredited to deliver this training (it can only be delivered by accredited trainers). 84%of schools now have at least head teacher or governor trained, 3 further sessions are taking place in June, which will target the 9 remaining schools. An article regarding Bichard implementation has also been published in ‘Every Lambeth Child Matters’ Training has been provided to senior managers across all agencies, further training is planned from June 2008. Key Line of Enquiry 1.8 Do record retention arrangements ensure full case histories are available for all children deemed to be at risk? Recommendations Arising from Audit Page 50 R6 Raise the understanding and awareness