Issue - meetings

Corporate Risk Register

Meeting: 06/02/2019 - Audit Committee (Item 53)

53 Corporate Risk Register pdf icon PDF 79 KB

To consider the Corporate Risk Register.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Director of Children’s Services presented the Corporate Risk Register.

 

During the discussion of this item the following points were made:

 

·         The Director Children’s Services outlined some of the key risks relating to Children’s Services. 

·         Nationally, safeguarding children was a key risk.

·         The Director Children’s Services indicated that Ofsted inspections were also highly likely, high impact risks.  A new framework for inspection of the SEN provision had been introduced and as such the Council was anticipating the Ofsted of both its SEN provision and mainstream provision, at some stage this year.  Children’s Services was currently preparing for Ofsted.  Members were advised that the service was currently rated ‘Requires Improvement’.  Self-evaluation put the service still at ‘Requires Improvement’ with some positives.  There was a stable leadership team in place and a positive direction of travel and vision.  Councillor Shepherd-DuBey asked how the service could move to ‘Good.’  The Director Children’s Services commented that whilst caseloads had reduced they needed to reduce further.

·         Workforce development was a specific risk for Children’s Services.  Nationally there were issues with regards to the recruitment and retention of social workers.

·         Councillor Smith asked what risks were presently on departmental risk register that may escalate to the Corporate Risk Register.  The Director Children’s Services indicated that workforce stability specific to Children’s Services may need to be escalated to the Corporate Risk Register in future. 

·         In response to a question from Councillor Sargeant as to what work was being carried out regarding recruitment and retention, the Director Children’s Services stated that a recruitment and retention plan was being developed and a Task and Finish Group chaired by the Executive Member was looking at the recruitment and retention of social workers.  Focus groups would be held in March at which managers and staff would be asked what made a difference to them.

·         In response to questions from Councillors Howe and Shepherd-DuBey, the Director Children’s Services commented that 40% of children in the Borough with Special Educational Needs were placed outside of the Borough.  Work was being done to try to reduce this. 

·         In response to a question from Councillor Shepherd-DuBey the Director Children’s Services indicated that there were different safeguarding responsibilities around vulnerable adults and children.

·         Members noted that some risks had not yet been allocated a committee to monitor its progress and asked that this be updated.

·         The Committee asked that the Chief Executive be invited to the next meeting to update Members on risks in their area.

 

RESOLVED:  That the risks and mitigating actions of the Council’s corporate risks as detailed in the Corporate Risk Register, be noted.