UPDATE NO 232 03 February 2017

SE DCS Peer Challenge (previously called Self Evaluation Framework)

The orientation and preparation day was held on 23 January, with an excellent turnout from 9 different authorities. 

The processes were explained and Peer Challenges will be proceeding in Portsmouth (early April), Brighton and Hove (late June), and, in an adapted fashion to suit the host’s circumstances, in Southampton (dates to be agreed).

For more details please contact Anna Wright or Richard Tyndall (details below)

We are now recruiting volunteers to join the visiting teams. If you or a colleague might be a suitable nomination, please can you first discuss this with your DCS. Nominations should be Head of Service or Assistant Director or equivalent level. The commitment is some preparation, some pre-reading and a two-day visit on site. Richard Tyndall (details below) will collect nominations and confirm the teams in due course.

Portsmouth (6/7 April) to join the team led by Lucy Butler (DCS Oxfordshire): a colleague with Troubled Families or Early Help expertise.

Brighton and Hove (27/28 June) to join the team led by Steve Crocker (DCS Hampshire and IoW): three colleagues, one each with Education and Inclusion; YOS; Social Care expertise. 

Improving the Quality of Audits

Sector Led Improvement Audit Project Workshop  – 20 February 2017 10.00-15.30 at the The Abbey Centre, 34 Great Smith Street, Westminster SW1P 3BU

We are launching a new project to explore how authorities across the South East can collaborate to improve the quality and impact of case auditing practice. The target audience for this event is Principal Social Workers and others who are involved in running audit programmes. (e.g. QA Managers).

The workshop will explore good practice from within the region and beyond. It will also consider options for improved working together in this critical area.  The project will focus particular attention on validity, reliability and closing the ‘quality assurance circle’ to ensure audits have the greatest impact in improving outcomes for children and families. It will also consider the use of audits with regulators and other stakeholders. 

Up to two places are available for each authority, to book please contact Mark Evans (details below)

The workshop is being facilitated by David Goosey – Principal Lecturer in Dept of Leadership, Westminster University and qualified clinical auditor (contact details below) and Mark Evans – SESLIP Workforce Lead and experienced Children’s Social Care Practitioner and Leader. 

Please let Mark or David know if the contact we hold for Principal Social Worker or QA Manager needs updating.

Memorandum of Cooperation

Memorandum of Cooperation Governance Group  – The group met on 25 January 2017. There was a consensus that MoC alongside other developments is continuing to have a positive impact on the ability to recruit and retain children’s social workers.  

The meeting also included a discussion of the imminent changes to the HMRC IR35 regulations (http://www.communitycare.co.uk/2016/09/23/tax-reforms-set-hit-agency-social-worker-earnings/) for agency social workers. A sample of four authorities revealed that all four are taking a robust line on this issue. This will include a presumption that agency workers employed through limited companies will move to PAYE arrangements with no increase in hourly rates. 

Some possible future developments of the MoC were considered and will be included on the agenda for the next AD Safeguarding Network meeting (24.02.17). These are:

• Investigate if there is an appetite across the region to impose the pay cap on all agency placements (including those that predate the introduction of the MoC in April 2016)
• Consider adding an expectation that all references should be completed within 10 working days of request being made (unless there are exceptional circumstances)
• Clarifying that agency contracts should normally be based on the same weekly hours as retained staff (i.e. agency overtime should only be paid in very exceptional circumstances)

In light of the decision not to proceed with the MoC performance framework we will explore the potential for some voluntary benchmarking work with authorities that would be prepared to share live data on workforce issues. For more details contact Mark Evans (details below).

Leadership Development

We continue to offer our successful portfolio of Leadership Development Courses all of which have been positively evaluated by delegates.

We are offering LAs the opportunity to train their own trainers for all our courses. Our aim is to increase the capacity and capability across the region  to ensure future sustainability within LAs. Courses can also be delivered with adult services and/or for schools. Please contact Di Smith, details below, if this is of interest to you. 

All courses are run in-house in the LA who provides the venue. Each course is accompanied by a range of training resources for the delegates including a comprehensive handbook. The current courses on offer are as follows and details of each course and the costs for each can be found by downloading the April 2016 Leadership Development Prospectus. 

Coaching to Improve Performance

Embedding a Coaching Culture

Leading Change in Times of Austerity

Step Up to Leadership   

We can also arrange one-to-one coaching, especially to support newly appointed 2nd and 3rd tier managers

If you require further details or wish to book a course please get in touch with Di Smith (contact details below)