Ministerial Response - Response to the Care Inquiry Update Report Quarter Four 2018 - 21 January 2019

Findings

Comments

1

All 41 actions identified as part of the response to the recommendations arising from the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry have either started or been completed.

The  IJCI  Programme  Board,  chaired  by  the  Director General of Strategic Policy, Performance and Population, was established in May 2018, and meets twice a month. The  Board  discuss  and  monitor  the  risks  and  issues across all projects in the IJCI programme. Project leads complete  monthly  updates  on  each  project  using  the Perform reporting software tool.

There are 42 projects in the programme, all of which have commenced; 17 have now been completed (5 in the last 6 months). One is in the Identify' phase; 3 are in the Define and Plan' phase; and the remaining 21 are in the Deliver and Launch' phase.

2

The appointment of the Children's Commissioner is seen as a positive development by organisations working with children and young people, and the legislation to underpin the role of the Commissioner will be brought forward at the start of 2019.

The  Council  of  Ministers  discussed  the  Draft Commissioner for Children and Young People (Jersey) Law 201- on 9 January 2019. Following a number of queries,  a  revised  version  of  the  draft  Law  will  be discussed by Ministers on 6 February, ahead of lodging it for debate in the Assembly on 26 March. It is anticipated that, following Privy Council approval, the Law will be enacted in spring 2019.

3

A concern has been raised that the role of the Commissioner places an individualistic focus on children and young people that could promote parent blame and alienation. Consideration has been given to this issue in the development of the legislation underpinning the role of the Commissioner.

The role of the Children's Commissioner is to promote and  protect  the  human  rights  of  children  and  young people in Jersey. The United Nations Convention on the Rights  of  the  Child  ("UNCRC")  as  a  whole  places parents centre-stage in a child's development. However, parental  guidance  must  be  geared  towards  supporting children  to  exercise  their  rights  and  make  their  own decisions, respecting the extent to which children can do this  for themselves. Rights  are  not contingent upon a person's ability to claim them, but extend to all.

Findings

Comments

The UNCRC is the framework which will inform the work  of  the  Children's  Commissioner.  Whilst  the UNCRC is directly focused on the rights of the child, it also emphasizes a central role for parents, families and caregivers as key players in realising children's rights in the following ways:

• Families are recognised as playing a unique and vital role in the lives of children, and the preamble of the Convention references that children should grow up in  a  family  environment  in  an  atmosphere  of happiness, love and understanding.

• A number of articles in the UNCRC acknowledge the primacy of the family in relation to children, with a presumption of non-interference. For example –

• Article 5: Respect for parental rights, duties and responsibilities to provide direction and guidance to their children.

• Article 7:  The  right  of  children,  so  far  as  is possible,  to  know  and  be  cared  for  by  their parents.

• Article 8: Preservation of identity, including the right  to  family  relations  without  unlawful interference.

The UNCRC does not take responsibility for children away  from  their  parents  and  give  more  authority  to Governments; however, it places explicit obligations on Governments to both provide the necessary institutions, services, support and facilities to families to enable them to care adequately for their children; and ensure that they protect  the  rights  of  families  through  measures  that support and strengthen the relationships between family members.

4

A schools-based participation strategy has been developed which has engaged 58 representatives across 19 schools. 27 schools wish to develop a school council further.

Involvement in the student council network and relevant training has been offered to all Jersey schools. Twenty- seven schools (primary and secondary) have opted in', and have sent adult representatives to receive training in auditing/establishing effective student councils.

The  first  meeting  with student council representatives (58 students in attendance) took place on 25th October. The focus of the meeting offered students an overview of the preparatory work conducted with school staff thus far, and began gathering ideas to structure the future role and function of the network, which is to be co-produced with young people. The next network meeting is planned for February 2019.

A SharePoint site and dedicated e-mail accounts will be created to support communication between schools and to allow requests/opinions to be sought regarding future

Findings

Comments

initiatives, thereby empowering students further.

Whilst the focus of the network remains an area to be co- produced with young people, there have been discussions regarding sharing ideas and initiatives between student

councils,  and  offering  an  opportunity  for  colleagues/ agencies to share ideas and gather views with students across Jersey. Links have already been made with the Children's Commissioner and Youth Connect to begin exploring future connections.

5

A Children's Rights Officer has been appointed as of November 2018 and will be working with young people in residential care to establish their priorities.

The Children's Rights Officer has been appointed on a secondment  basis  initially,  whilst  recruitment  to  a permanent post is scheduled to progress in early 2019. The main focus of the Children's Rights Officer role is to –

• Ensure that looked after children ("LAC") and those previously  looked  after  are  aware  of  their  rights, responsibilities and entitlements to current and future services.

• Empower and support LAC to express their views, wishes and choices, and ensure children and young people are able to remain involved in all decisions which affect their lives.

• Make and maintain contact and develop relationships with looked after children on- and off-Island.

• Support the promotion and monitoring of services for LAC.

• Undertake the investigation of specific complaints as directed by the group director.

• Promote,  articulate  and  increase  understanding  of children's rights throughout children's services.

• Ensure  that  children  and  young  people  have  the opportunity to initiate and facilitate service user-led initiatives  with  the  aim  of  increasing  positive outcomes for children and young people.

6

Action has been taken as a result of the Ofsted inspection of Children's Services, and a Children's Services improvement plan has been implemented.

Governance  around  the  Children's  Services Improvement  Plan  has  been  established.  The  second phase of the improvement plan will be presented to the Improvement  Strategic  Board  at  its  meeting  on 14 January 2019.

7

The Jersey Care Commission has identified 20 recommendations to be considered by the States of Jersey in order to improve the Children's Services.

These  recommendations  are  addressed  in  the Improvement Plan which is overseen by a Strategic and an  Operational  Board.  A  summary  report  detailing progress  against  the  Ofsted  and  Care  Commission's recommendations that are incorporated into the Plan, has been sent to the Chair of the Care Commission. This report will be updated on a quarterly basis.

Findings

Comments

8

The Jersey Children First model is intended to be rolled out to between 4,000 and 5,000 staff across professionals working with children. This includes both statutory and charitable organisations.

The Lead Officer for Jersey's Children First has been in post since February 2018 and work has progressed in this area. A whole workforce practice framework has been developed,  published  and  operationally  viable  since mid-September 2018. A training  programme  has been established with a view to ensuring the wider children's workforce feel both confident and competent in working to  the  framework.  This  programme  includes  service providers  both  from  the  States  of  Jersey  and  the voluntary and community sector.

9

50% of frontline social work staff are employed in permanent posts, with the other 50% recruited from social work agencies as locums.

A social work recruitment campaign is currently being prepared for launch in January 2019. This will seek to recruit social work staff at all levels. A recruitment and retention strategy has been completed and is now in the process  of  being  costed,  and  an  action  plan  will  be produced in order for the strategy to be delivered.

10

20 staff from across Children's Services have been engaged in an accredited systemic social work practice course in the United Kingdom.

The first training cohorts run from May 2018 to February 2019, with 3 different levels of training for Practitioners, Supervision and Senior Leaders. Staff have been very positive  about  the  learning  and  development opportunities and the potential impact on practice and service delivery.

In addition to the above, the service has commissioned the Social Care Institute for Excellence ("SCIE") as a learning  and  development  partner  working  with  the service over a 3-year period. The work will be organised in  3 phases:  Recovery,  Transition  and  Continuous Improvement, supporting improvement across 4 areas of workforce:  development;  practice  framework;  quality assurance and audit; and coaching and mentoring. Staff will be actively involved in contributing to agreeing the priorities and programme implementation.

11

An independent review of fostering services has been commissioned and an action plan is being developed to bring forward the recommendations.

The fostering review has been completed. An action plan is  being  developed  in  response.  This  is  due  for publication due in early 2019. The action plan is grouped into themes and progress is underway. There are areas for  consideration  with  financial  and  resource implications.  The  report  will  inform  the  broader sufficiency strategy for looked after children in Jersey. A briefing for States Members will be held to share details of the review.

Findings

Comments

12

It is welcomed that the Children and Young People's plan was developed in collaboration with children, parents, professionals working with children and decision-makers in the States of Jersey.

The  Children's  Plan  was  endorsed  by  the  Council  of Ministers in November 2018. The Children's Strategic Partnership Board Terms of Reference and membership has been agreed, with the first meeting scheduled for early February 2019. This Board will have oversight of the  delivery  of  the  Children's  Plan  and  performance monitoring. Further engagement with children, regarding the Plan's final design and presentation, will take place in January before publication in February.

13

The Minister for Children and Housing has given a commitment that the vision set out in the revised children's plan will need to be funded properly within both the current MTFP and the next Government Plan.

Funding will be addressed through the Government Plan which will be progressed during 2019 (this is due to be lodged  in  July  for  debate  in  October  2019).  The Government Plan will be informed by the commitments set  out  in  the  Common  Strategic  Policy,  which  are consistent  with  the  Children's  Plan's  outcomes  and priorities.

14

42 States Members and 11 Senior Leaders from across the States of Jersey have signed up to the Pledge for Children and Young People.

The  Children's  Pledge  is  symbolic  of  the  public commitment  by  States  Members  and  senior  public servants to put children first.

15

Discussions with States Members who have yet to sign up to the pledge are ongoing in order to understand their concerns and, where possible, address them.

The Minister for Children and Housing will continue to engage with States Members who have not as yet signed the pledge.

16

The funding available for the response to the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry is set under the current MTFP until the end of 2019. A Government Plan for 2019 – 2023 will be developed during 2019 where funding for the response will be allocated. The level of this funding is as yet unknown.

The funding allocated in the current MTFP has enabled key  pieces  of  work  to  be  progressed.  In  those  Care Inquiry response projects which will become business as usual,  officers  will  need  to  ensure  that  resources  are identified and allocated as part of the Government Plan for 2020 – 2023 for continued implementation.

Recommendations

To

Accept/ Reject

Comments

Target date of action/ completion

1

The Minister for Children and Housing should establish a mission statement for the network of school councils that gives specific reference to how it will be truly representative of children and young people.

nd Ho

Minis

Accept

ter

The  project  proposal  initially submitted  to  all  Jersey  schools  to promote  the  introduction  of  the Student  Council  network  states  a vision and underlying key principles. These are currently forged by adults, in the  absence  of  children  and  young people's voice and participation.

It is hoped that the initial meetings of the student council network can begin by establishing a co-produced mission statement,  utilising  the  vision  and principles  above  as  a  platform  for further discussion.

End of April 2019

2

The Minister for Children and Housing should ensure that the role of the Children's Rights Officer is evaluated as it progresses, with significant input and feedback from children and young people about its effectiveness.

nd Ho

Minis

Accept

ter

Currently the Children's Rights Officer ("CRO")  has  developed  a work plan for the next 6 months with a priority to make and maintain relationships with looked after children ("LAC"). These relationships  will  play  a  part  in determining  the  officer's  priorities. The  CRO  is  developing  a  set  of standards for their work; performance will  be  measured  against  these standards.  The  officer  is  receiving frequent supervision as they establish this new role. Most importantly, it is planned that that children and young people  will  have  the  opportunity  to evaluate  their  experience  of  the Children's  Rights  Officer  and  be involved  in  the  development  of  the role.

May/ June 2019

Recommendations

To

Accept/ Reject

Comments

Target date of action/ completion

3

The Minister for Children and Housing should publish quarterly updates on the progress being made by the Children's Services Improvement Plan.

nd Ho

Minis

Accept

ter

Following  the  establishment  of  the Strategic  Children's  Improvement Board in October 2018, it is the plan to publish quarterly updates on progress against the  actions and  outcomes set out  in  the  Children's  Services Improvement Plan, as well as updating the Public on how the Pledge is being fulfilled,  and  what  is  being  done  to deliver on the recommendations made in  the  Care  Commission's  report "Making  A  Difference;  Driving Improvement".  The  format  is  under development and will complement the approach to the public-facing reporting on the implementation of the findings of  the  Independent  Jersey  Care Inquiry.

Ongoing quarterly

4

The Children's Service should ensure that quarterly reviews are undertaken to assess the impact of the Jersey First Model during 2019 and 2020. The purpose of these reviews should establish professional understanding of the model and seek to address any concerns that may arise.

nd Ho

Minis

Reject

ter

The difference made by implementing the  Jersey's  Children  First  practice framework  will  ultimately  be understood  by  improvements  in outcomes for children. These could be measured  by  reviewing  a  range  of performance  information  across services  that  support  children (e.g. timeliness  of  decision-making; access  to  the  right'  service;  and impact), as well as asking children and families  to  tell  us  about  their experiences;  what  worked  well  and what could be better.

N/A

5

The Children's Services should ensure that a varied and engaging programme of continued professional development is established and maintained for all frontline social work staff and their supervisors by

June 2019.

nd Ho

Minis

Accept

ter

The  Social  Care  Institute  for Excellence  ("SCIE")  has  now  been commissioned  as  a  learning  and development  partner,  and  will  work with the service over the next 3 years. Staff  will  be  actively  involved  in contributing to agreeing the priorities and programme implementation.

To be established by Q1 2019

Recommendations

To

Accept/ Reject

Comments

Target date of action/ completion

6

The Children's Services should ensure that both foster carers and young people with experience of being in foster care are extensively consulted on the proposed action plan arising from the independent review of fostering services prior to its implementation.

nd Ho

Minis

Accept

ter

The  report,  recommendations  and action plan will be shared with foster carers through the Jersey Foster Care Association.

2019

7

The Minister for Children and Housing should publish on a quarterly basis, through the Children's Strategic Partnership Board, a central register which clearly sets out the individual departmental funding allocations for the Children and Young People's Plan.

nd Ho

Minis

Reject (qualified by response)

ter

The  expectation  implicit  within  the Children's  Plan  is  that  Government Departments will align their focus to achieve  its  16 priorities  and  its 4 overarching  outcomes  by appropriately funding these activities.

It is not intended that the Children's Plan will have its own funding-stream, but  will  instead  be  resourced  from Departments'  core  allocations  and existing  commissioning  arrangements with  the  Community  and  Voluntary sector.

The  Terms  of  Reference  for  the Children's Strategic Partnership Board sets out the requirement to produce an annual  report  against  the  Children's Plan's key priorities. The first annual report will be published in early 2020.

N/A