It was reported that, in accordance with the Liberal Democrat and Non-Coalition Groups, the membership of the Board had been amended to including Councillors Doggett, Stocks and Ellery in place of Councillors Darling, Pentney and Stockman, respectively.

To consider a report of the Director of Children’s Services on the Children’s Services Five Year Plan.

The Executive Lead for Children, Schools and Families and the Director of Children’s Services attended the meeting to provide an update on the Children’s Services Five Year Plan.  The report also included details of the key performance indicators which underpinned the plan.

In considering the report the Board reflected on its report written in October 2013 which had referred to financial historians rather than navigators.  The Chairman highlighted that the Council as a whole should consider whether it was able to navigate effectively given the current financial pressures facing local government and the public sector generally.

The Board went on to ask questions in relation to foster placements and adoption activity, integrating children’s social services with other services (including health and schools) and primary and secondary school performance.

Resolved:  that the Board:

·         welcomes that Children’s Services is on the cusp of a remarkable example of change management

·         has greater confidence in Children’s Services now than it has had in the past

·         congratulates the Executive Lead and Director and all those involved in the Five Year Plan and will do all it can to support the continuing change

·         holds Children’s Services focused meetings on a six monthly basis in order to monitor progress against the Five Year Plan.

To consider the TSCB Annual Report together with the Business Plan (and update).

David Taylor, the Chairman of the Torbay Safeguarding Children Board, attended the meeting and presented the Annual Report of the Board together with the Business Plan and progress report for the current year.

The Board asked a range of questions on subjects including compatibility of IT programmes used by different agencies, the opportunity for sharing ideas and experience across Devon and the attendance of agencies at the Safeguarding Children Board.

Resolved:  that a progress report be considered by the Board at a future meeting on reducing the risk around communication between agencies including progress against the Early Help Strategy.