The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Barking and Dagenham Council met on Wednesday 17 April 2024 to discuss the findings of a Local Government Association (LGA) led Public Health Peer Review and the progress of the OFSTED Inspection of Children's Services Improvement Plan. The committee noted the recommendations from the Public Health Peer Review and received an update on the progress made in improving children's services following an OFSTED inspection.

London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Local Government Association led Public Health Peer Review

The committee received a report detailing the findings of a Public Health Peer Review conducted by the Local Government Association (LGA) in February 2024. The review focused on partnership working, vision and strategy, and the use of resources to improve the health and wellbeing of Barking and Dagenham residents. The LGA presented eight recommendations, including the development of a Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach to address wider determinants of health, rationalising strategies into a single prioritised delivery plan, and creating a single team for data intelligence.

Councillor Glenda Paddle, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, inquired about the estimated timescale for delivering these recommendations, to which the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health Integration responded that significant work would be undertaken. The committee discussed initiatives to tackle childhood obesity, including the Henry program and the potential for using school kitchens to teach families healthy cooking. The availability of dentistry services and plans to open a dentistry school were also discussed. The report was noted by the committee.

Report on the OFSTED Inspection of Children's Services Improvement Plan

The committee reviewed the progress made on the OFSTED Inspection of Children's Services Improvement Plan. Following an OFSTED inspection in July 2023, which judged children's services as 'requiring improvement to be good', the Council developed an improvement plan addressing eight key recommendations. The Operational Director for Children's Care detailed the progress made in areas such as the timeliness of strategy meetings, the quality of supervision and management oversight, assessment and decision-making for children experiencing neglect, and life-story work and permanence planning.

Concerns were raised regarding national placement issues and costs, with the Commissioning Director for Care and Support explaining various pathways being pursued, including an efficiency plan focusing on family placements, outside family placements, and prevention. The committee also discussed the success of family hubs, with early evidence suggesting they are helping to reduce the need for further support. The Operational Director for Children's Care addressed concerns about long-term child protection plans, noting that children on these plans often have complex needs and may experience fluctuating family environments. Improvements in management oversight and reflective supervision were highlighted, alongside efforts to enhance the timeliness and efficiency of strategy meetings, particularly with partners like the Metropolitan Police. The committee was informed that progress is measured using national indicators and an internal audit programme.