The Safeguarding and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the Staffordshire Youth Justice Plan, updates on Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), and the Safeguarding Online Referral Form. Key decisions included receiving the Youth Justice Plan for scrutiny and noting progress on DoLS and the online referral system.

Staffordshire Youth Justice Plan 2025-2028

The committee received the Staffordshire Youth Justice Plan for 2025-2028, which outlines how partners are working to prevent offending by children and support those who receive community or custodial sentences. Councillor Nicholas Lakin, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, presented the plan, highlighting that it addresses national priorities and is a statutory duty placed on local authorities by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

During the discussion, concerns were raised about rising re-offending rates, particularly in Tamworth, which has been identified as having the highest youth crime rate in Staffordshire. Hazel, a representative from the Youth Justice Service, explained that while national data might show a rise, their local tracker indicated a current re-offending rate of 21%, with a downward trajectory. She acknowledged that children may sometimes commit crimes to access help, and the new Families First Partnership and the Ministry of Justice's Turnaround Fund are aimed at earlier intervention.

The committee also discussed the disproportionate number of boys receiving Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) compared to girls. Charlotte Kelly highlighted that girls are diagnosed later and are more likely to mask their needs, potentially leading to offending due to a lack of support. Hazel confirmed that children with special educational needs are a risk factor for entering the youth justice system and that dedicated education workers assess all children to identify potential EHCP needs.

Ann Edgeller shared personal experience, emphasizing the need for earlier intervention, even from infancy, for children born into challenging circumstances. The committee explored the possibility of starting support earlier than the current typical age of seven or eight.

The impact of social media and screen time on violent and sexual offences among young people was also a point of discussion. While acknowledging the significant impact, it was noted that schools and family hubs are working on educating parents and children about online safety.

The committee also addressed concerns about children being criminalised rather than identified as victims, particularly in relation to gang activity and exploitation. It was clarified that the council's remit includes children who are being exploited, and there is a focus on identifying victims and providing support.

Matthew Wallens inquired about research from Manchester Metropolitan University and its translation into practice. It was explained that the research had been presented to the board, and a task and finish group was established to focus on the voices of black and brown children.

Concerns were raised about the lack of detail regarding recommendations within the report. The committee agreed to review the report further to identify all recommendations.

Regarding funding, Ann Edgeller raised concerns about cuts impacting the number of children who can be supported. However, it was confirmed that the Ministry of Justice has committed to three years of funding for the Turnaround Fund, mitigating this risk.

The committee also discussed the issue of children in care being placed out of county and the support provided to them. It was explained that the youth justice service in the area where the child is placed would provide care, with Staffordshire maintaining contact.

Finally, the committee discussed the findings of an HM Inspectorate report on local youth centres, which highlighted children being kept in their rooms for extended periods due to staff shortages. Assurances were given that safeguarding concerns are being addressed and escalated, although the council has limited control over the management of HMP Warrington.

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) Update

Ruth Martin Rogerson, Principal Social Worker and Safeguarding Lead, provided an update on the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). She explained that DoLS, an amendment to the Mental Capacity Act 2005, provides a legal framework for individuals who lack the capacity to make decisions about their care and accommodation when their liberty is deprived. The number of referrals for DoLS has increased by 10-20% annually, largely due to an ageing population and growing needs within the community.

To manage the increasing demand, the council is using external agencies for Best Interest Assessments, which has proven cost-effective. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) has been implemented to streamline the administrative process of sending out paperwork, resulting in a 40% time saving. The increased use of equivalent assessments for individuals in stable situations has also helped reduce the need for repeated assessments.

Despite these measures, there were 1,306 outstanding DoLS requests in the week commencing March 9th, with approximately 600 overdue beyond the 21-day target. However, Ruth Martin Rogerson reported that the outstanding number had already reduced to just over 1,000, with the overdue cases now at 425. She attributed these improvements to the use of equivalent assessments and stepped-up authorisation rotas. The implementation of a new corporate file plan system had initially caused delays, but IT improvements had helped to resolve these.

The committee also discussed the upcoming implementation of Liquid Logic, a new IT system, which is expected to create additional capacity and improve information sharing, although specific figures on capacity increase are not yet available.

Concerns were raised about the high referral rate for DoLS in Staffordshire, which is attributed to the county's geography, a large number of private care homes with self-funders, and a significant older population.

Safeguarding Online Referral Form

Ruth Martin Rogerson also provided an update on the Safeguarding Online Referral Form. This form allows providers to submit non-urgent safeguarding concerns online, improving efficiency and allowing contact centre staff to focus on higher-risk cases. The system uses skip logic and mandatory questions to ensure comprehensive information is gathered. RPA is used to transfer information directly into the Care Director system, saving approximately 30 hours per week. However, around 40% of submissions currently fail due to minor errors, requiring manual input. The council is planning to move to a new system that will use Application Programming Interface (API) to prevent these errors. Providers will also be able to download a copy of their submitted form for evidence.

The committee discussed how the saved hours are being utilised, with the contact centre staff able to answer more calls and reduce waiting times. The potential for redeploying staff to other areas of the council if efficiency gains continue was also mentioned. Training and guidance are provided to users to help them understand the process and avoid mistakes. The transition to Liquid Logic is expected to further improve the system.

Work Programme

The committee reviewed its work programme for the upcoming municipal year. It was noted that the work programme is flexible and can be adjusted to accommodate new priorities. Several new items were added, including a briefing on illegal care homes within the county and a working group on the impact of social media on children's mental health and violent and sexual offences. The committee also acknowledged the upcoming retirement of Helen Phillips, Scrutiny and Support Officer, and expressed their gratitude for her dedicated service.

The committee also agreed to a request for a briefing document regarding illegal care homes within the county, including any actions being taken to address them and whether any children are being placed in such homes out of county.

A request was made to establish a working group to investigate the impact of social media on children's mental health and its link to violent and sexual offences. This was agreed as a priority for the next municipal year.

The committee also noted that the Elective Home Education working group had completed its report and recommendations, which would be submitted to the Cabinet Member for an executive response.

Finally, the committee discussed the upcoming transition to Liquid Logic and its implications for local government reorganisation, noting that neighbouring authorities already use this system. The implementation of API to improve the online referral form functionality was also discussed, with a timeframe of the end of summer anticipated.