Families and Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee
Date: 16th October 2014
Safeguarding Activity Trends Report
Report of the Executive Director for Wellbeing and Community Services, Daljit Lally
Policy Board Member for Wellbeing and Community Health Services Group:
Councillor Robert Arckless
Purpose of report.
To provide analysis of social work activity trends and case allocation as well as
highlighting national developments regarding the Department for Education
safeguarding indicators.
Recommendations
To provide analysis of social work activity trends and case allocation as well as
highlighting national developments regarding the Department for Education
safeguarding indicators.
It is recommended that the Committee
1) Identify any issues for further scrutiny.
Link to Corporate Plan
This report is relevant to the Health and Well Being and Stronger Communities and
Families priorities included in the NCC Corporate Plan 2013-2017.
Key issues
CASELOADS ANALYSIS
1. Systems are in place to closely monitor the Integrated Children’s System with
regards to unallocated cases, and social care locality team caseloads. As part of this
process, a list of all open cases was extracted on 31st July 2014.
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2. Using the information from the caseload extract, there were 3,711 cases open to
Children’s Services overall, and of those, 82% (3,045) were being held open on a
child in need basis, 9% (346) were cases involving children looked after by the
County Council (some of which are also subject to a Child Protection Plan), and
10% (356) were cases of children subject to a Child Protection Plan (CPP). All
cases needing social work intervention are allocated to a named social worker.
3. All child protection cases are allocated to suitably skilled, experienced and
qualified social workers and the capacity in the teams is closely monitored with
managers demonstrating good oversight of cases. Systems are in place to
ensure that appropriate professionals from the full range of agencies are involved
in planning and review meetings.
4. As well as monitoring the allocation of cases, the service has procedures in place
to manage the initial referrals of children at risk of considerable harm, and these
are systematically reviewed. Team workloads are regularly evaluated and
information systems are in place so that quantitative data on the performance of
social work teams can be reported monthly. At the end of July 2014, there were
29 cases per social worker.
5. Work with children in need is supported both by practical guidance and a policy
framework. Assessments of children in need routinely record information,
conclusions and decisions, and the large majority are completed within the
nationally-prescribed timescale.
6. Systems are in place to ensure that where staff are absent from work, their work
trays (within ICS) can be picked up, checked and actioned, with the system
generating alerts for workers to pick up tasks where necessary.
7. RECENT TRENDS WITHIN THE CHILD PROTECTION PROCESS
7.1
Numbers of contacts and referrals to Children’s Services remain high, with
2,170 contacts and 1,326 referrals received by social care teams in the quarter
ending June 2014. This means that over the past year, Northumberland has received
5,585 referrals, which when equated to the most recent child population figures,
gives a rate of 908 per 10,000 children, and remains notably higher than the latest
(2012/13) national rate (of 529), statistical neighbour rate (of 545) and the regional
rate (of 552). Graph 2a shows the quarterly breakdown of contacts and referrals
received by Children’s Services.
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Graph 2a – Contacts and Referrals
Graph 2b shows the ADCS analysis of the referral rate compared to the rate of EHAs
across the year. The analysis shows that with the exception of Newcastle, each
North East authority’s referral rate is above the national average. Northumberland’s
referral rate is notably higher than the rest of the region, and it should also be noted
that the three authorities with the highest referral rate (Northumberland, Durham and
Middlesbrough) have lower than average rates of EHAs.
Graph 2b – ADCS analysis of referrals and CAF (EHAs) per 10,000 (2013/14)
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Graph 3 shows the number of referrals received by Children’s Services each quarter
by agency type. In the most recent quarter (compared to the previous quarter) there
was a decrease in referrals from the police (from 400 to 355), early years and
schools (from 295 to 267), LA services1 (from 228 to 174) and relatives, friends and
neighbours [RFN] (from 151 to 131). Referrals from Health remained at around the
same level compared to the previous quarter.
Graph 3 – Referrals by Agency type
In the quarter ending June 2014, 80% of referrals went on to be assessed by a social
worker, slightly above the national average of 74%, and represents a similar rate
compared to the previous quarter (see Graph 4).
Graph 4 – Outcomes of referrals each quarter
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LA referrals include the Emergency Duty Team (EDT), other local authorities, Housing, Education Welfare
Officers, the Youth Offending Team, the Substance Misuse Team as well as referrals from Northumberland
social workers
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With regards to re-referrals (see Graph 5a), 29% of referrals received in the quarter
ending June 2014 were counted as re-referrals over the last year, which is a similar
figure to previous quarter. The re-referral rate has remained below 30% within each
of the last three quarters, and remains above the national and statistical neighbour
averages of 24.9% and 24.1% respectively. In the most recent quarter the
percentage of re-referrals within 3 months of the previous referral has reduced to 7%
(note this figure includes the percentage re-referred within 1 month). This figure is
similar to the previous quarter, but represents a reduction over the last four quarters
(the figure was 14% between July and September 2013.
Graph 5a – Re-referrals
Graph 5b shows the ADCS analysis of the re-referral rate in the North East. Across
2013/14, Northumberland had the highest rate at 31%, closely followed by Durham
(30%) – both notably above the regional average of 21%.
Graph 5b – ADCS analysis of re-referrals (2013/14)
(see overleaf)
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In the publication “Working Together to Safeguard Children”2, there is a move away
from the 10 day timescale for assessing children’s social care needs in favour of an
assessment being carried out based on the needs of the child within 45 working days
of the point of referral. Graph 6 (below) shows the distribution of days for
assessments to be completed by quarter with the most recent period reflecting the
figures for the new children and family (C & F) assessment that was implemented in
March 2014. This new assessment replaces initial and core assessments, with
managers making a judgement about whether it should be completed within 10, 25
or 45 working days of the referral to children’s services.
Since the introduction of the C & F assessment, the proportion completed in more
than 45 days has increased with 16% being authorised outside of this timeframe.
The reasons behind this are due to the transition from the previous assessments
(getting used to the new structure of the report and identification at different stages
of an assessment of whether it should be completed within 10, 25 or 45 days), as
well as in establishing a process to monitor the new assessments within each teams.
A monitoring process has now been developed, with tracking sheets showing all
assessments needing to be completed being sent out to team managers on a weekly
basis. As well as this, a procedure has been added to ensure that children are seen
within four days of the assessment being allocated which will mean that any delays
in completing the assessment will be linked to writing the report rather than seeing
2
Working Together to Safeguard Children, March 2013, page 32
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the child. It is anticipated that assessment timescale figures will improve as a result,
and this will be reported to the Board in future meetings.
Graph 6 – distribution of days to complete assessments
Section 47 enquiries
In the year ending June 2014, there were 1,095 section 47 enquiries (S47s)
completed, equating to 178 per 10,000, higher than the national (112), statistical
neighbour (110) and regional (116) averages. The figure of 1,095 represents a 30%
increase from the figure of 840 in the year ending June 2013. In the most recent
quarter, the number of S47s ending equated to 264; a decrease compared to 295 in
the previous quarter.
Initial Child Protection Conferences (ICPCs) and Child Protection Plans (CPPs)
In the most recent quarter, there were 61 children subject to an initial child protection
conference (see graph 7a) which represents a decrease from the previous quarter.
This means that 290 children were the subject of an ICPC over the year, equating to
47 per 10,000; slightly below the national average (2012/13) of 53 and statistical
neighbour average of 57 per 10,000. The proportion of children then made subject
to a Child Protection Plan in the most recent quarter was 92%, in line with previous
quarters (with the exception of the quarter ending March 2014). Across the year,
87% of children made subject to an ICPC went on to start a CPP; in line with the
national average of 88%.
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Graph 7a – number of children subject to ICPCs and numbers subsequently
made subject to a CPP
Graph 7b shows the ADCS analysis looking at rates of S47s, ICPCs and CPPs
starting for each authority in the North East. There appears to be a lot of variation in
rates across the region, with Northumberland (and Hartlepool) having a higher rate
of S47s than the regional and national average but lower rates of ICPCs, whilst
Middlesbrough and Sunderland have lower rates of S47s with higher rates of ICPCs.
Graph 7b – ADCS analysis of S47s, ICPCs and CPPs starting (2013/14)
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Numbers of CPPs starting (see Graph 8) decreased to 57 in the quarter ending June
2014. Within the quarter, there were ten sibling groups of three or more (same
number as the previous quarter). In the year ending June 2014, 261 CPPs started
(equating to 42 per 10,000 – below the national average of 46, and the statistical
neighbour average of 52). Numbers of CPPs ending reduced in the latest quarter (for
the first time in a year), with 276 ended in the year up to the end of June 2014. This
equates to 45 per 10,000, below the national and statistical neighbour averages of
46 and 49 respectively.
Graph 8 – Child Protection Plans starting and ending per quarter
Of the 252 CPPs that started across the year, 32 children (13%) had previously had
a CPP beforehand (compared to 13% nationally), with 7 children within 2 sibling
groups (3%) having had a CPP started within two years of a previous CPP ending.
27% of those children starting CPPs across the year were aged below 1 (compared
to 18% nationally), 25% were aged between one and four (29% nationally), 24%
were aged between five and nine (27% nationally), 23% were aged between ten and
fifteen (24% nationally), and 1% were aged sixteen or more (3% nationally).
Compared to the national picture, Northumberland has a slightly higher proportion of
children up to the age of four starting CPPs (52% compared to 47%).
Looking at the category of abuse assigned to the CPPs in the year, 48% were
labelled as neglect (compared to 42% nationally), 1% were sexual abuse (5%
nationally), 9% were physical abuse (11% nationally), 29% were emotional abuse
(32% nationally) and 12% was labelled as multiple abuse types (11% nationally).
The ADCS analysis of abuse types across the region (graph 9) shows that neglect is
the most prevalent at 61% regionally. Compared to the regional picture,
Northumberland has a slightly lower proportion of neglect CPPs and a slightly higher
proportion of emotional abuse CPPs, however as Northumberland had 12% of CPPs
labelled with multiple abuse, these could contain elements of neglect.
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Graph 9 – ADCS analysis of CPPs category of abuse (2013/14)
Of the 276 CPP plans ended in the year, 8% ended within up to three months of the
plan starting (compared to 19% nationally), 5% ended between three and six months
(10% nationally), 50% ended between six and twelve months (39% nationally), 31%
ended between one year and two years of the plan starting (26% nationally), and 7%
of those ending were started over two years before (5% nationally).
Graph 10 displays the regional breakdown of the duration of CPPs, and shows that
Northumberland have a lower number of CPPs ending within six months (14%)
compared to other authorities in the region, with the vast majority (80%) ending after
a duration of between six months and two years.
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Graph 10 – ADCS analysis of CPPs ending by duration (2013/14)
At the end of June 2014, 365 children were subject to a CPP3, which represents a
small increase of 2% since the end of March 2014. Using the most recent population
estimates (see graph 11), this equates to 59 per 10,000 of the under 18 population;
above the statistical neighbour rate of 41 and the national rate of 38.
Graph 11 – Rate of Child Protection Plans per 10,000 children at month end
3
August 2014 figure is 352 children with CPPs
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The ADCS analysis looked at numbers of CPPs at the end of March 2014 compared
to March 2013, with the numbers showing a 16% increase regionally so that the
regional average is provisionally at 59 per 10,000. All authorities in the region are
now above the national average (2013).
Graph 12 shows that Northumberland experienced a 23% increase in CPPs in the
year; slightly above the regional average of 16%. These figures should be looked at
alongside the rates per 10,000 children (see Figure 1) as some authorities (for
example Darlington) had a low rate of CPPs at March 2013, and have since
experienced a huge increase.
Figure 1 - rates of CPPs at March 2013 and March 2014
Graph 12 – ADCS analysis of CPPs - % increase / decrease between March 2013
and March 2014
Since the last report, all child protection reviews have been held in timescale
meaning that in the year ending June 2014, 496 of 511 conferences (97%) were held
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in timescale (slightly above the national average of 96%). Three conferences were
held out of timescale in the most recent quarter: one was to facilitate the
paediatrician’s attendance, one was due to social worker sickness plus a new
Reviewing Officer and Team Manager being in post as well as new information being
available, and one conference was postponed due to reports not being shared with
members prior to the original conference being held, with a view that there was too
much paperwork to read.
Numbers of Looked After Children (LAC) in Northumberland are fairly steady at
present, with 330 in care at the end of June 20144, which equates to 54 per 10,000
of the under 18 population and is well below the statistical neighbour rate of 64 and
national average rate of 60 per 10,000 (see Graph 13).
Graph 13 – Rate of LAC per 10,000 children at month end
The ADCS regional analysis also looked at LAC numbers, with the regional average
continuing to rise , although the rate of increase would appear to be slowing down
(see graph 14).
4
August 2014 figure is 329 LAC
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Graph 14 – LAC rate per 10,000: 2010 to 2014
Comparing LAC rates between March 2013 and March 2014 (see Graph 15), six
authorities have seen some sort of decrease in their numbers and six authorities
have seen an increase. Northumberland’s rate increased by 1.9%, just above the
1.3% increase seen regionally, however these figures should be looked at alongside
the rates per 10,000 children (see Figure 2) as some authorities (for example
Darlington) had a high rate of CPPs at March 2013, and have since experience a
large decrease.
Figure 2 - rates of LAC at March 2013 and March 2014
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Graph 15 – ADCS analysis of LAC - % increase / decrease between March 2013
and March 2014
8
Themes arising regionally and nationally:
The headlines from the ADCS report (that is referred to throughout this report)
with regards to Safeguarding, Looked After Children and Youth Justice
figures:
 Referral rates across the region appear to have risen - in 2012/13 there
were 587.6 referrals per 10,000 population across the North East,
provisional figures this year indicate a 13% rise to 668.7.
 Across the region there has been a rise in the number of child protection
plans, in 2012/13 the North East had a rate of 51.1, provisional figures for
13-14 show a 16% increase to 59.1. All authorities are now higher than
last year’s national figure of 37.9.
 The North East in 2012/13 had 15% of CP plans started for the second or
subsequent time. The provisional average across the regional authorities
for 2013/14 has reduced to 11%.
 The North East Looked After Children figure continues to rise showing a
17% increase since 2010 despite five authorities reporting a decrease in
LAC numbers from the previous year.
 All authorities have shown an increase in LAC numbers since 2010
 Across the region the proportion of LAC who were placed in external /
independent fostering provision has increased with the average rising to
19.6% from 18.7% at September 2012.
 Generally adoption timescales between entering care and being placed
for adoption appear to be increasing with only half of authorities showing
an improvement on their published 3 year average (2010-13).
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IMPLICATIONS ARISING OUT OF THE REPORT
Policy:
Finance and value for money:
Legal:
Procurement:
Human Resources:
Property:
Management of caseload allocation is a key part
of
safeguarding children and therefore
contributes to the council’s drive for ‘excellence’.
A Northumberland specific report outlining the
Safeguarding and Looked After Children findings
was reported to the Executive in June 2012.
Figures provided in this report will allow
managers to monitor the level of caseloads and
activity on a quarterly basis in order to ensure
resources are being allocated appropriately.
The report includes information on Looked After
Children cases, with a number of these being
subject to care proceedings in order for the local
authority to take them into care.
None.
The council should continue to monitor the
impact of resource investments with regards to
workloads to ensure effective targeting to
support staff and to improve performance. At
present, there is a national focus on supervision,
training and stress-levels of social workers.
None.
Equalities:
(Impact Assessment attached)
Yes
No
N/A X
Risk Assessment:
Carbon Reduction:
The Laming Recommendations require that
Directors must ensure that all cases of children
assessed as needing a service have an
allocated social worker and that Children’s
Services continues to prioritise and allocate the
most at risk cases. This is the core element of
the Ofsted inspection framework.
The prevalence of domestic violence and
substance misuse are monitored during case
reviews, and influence workload management
decisions.
The data in the report indicates the extent to
which service user’s needs are being met in the
early stages of a case.
None
Wards:
None
Crime & Disorder:
Customer Considerations:
CONSULTATION
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BACKGROUND PAPERS
Lord Laming – The Victoria Climbie Inquiry.
Lord Laming – The Protection of Children in England: A Progress Report
Social Work Task Force – Building a safe, confident future
Annual unannounced inspection of contact, referral and assessment
arrangements within Northumberland County Council children’s services –
July 2011
Report sign off.
Authors must ensure that relevant officers and members have agreed the
content of the report:
Finance Officer
Monitoring Officer/Legal
Human Resources
Procurement
I.T.
Executive Director
Portfolio Holder(s)
initials
Report Author
Brian Smeaton - Senior Performance and Development
Officer (01670) 623583 brian.smeaton@northumberland.gov.uk
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Appendices – number each appendix and avoid attaching superfluous material
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