PAPER B

 

CHILDREN’S SERVICES SELECT COMMITTEE- 21 SEPTEMBER 2004

 

QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT REPORT - QUARTER 1 2004-05

 

REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES

 

REASON FOR SELECT COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

 

This Quarterly Performance Management Report is for the period 1st April to the 30th June 2004 and is for the Children’s Services Portfolio. This first report for 2004-05 was presented to the Council’s Executive on the 25th August 2004.

 

 

ACTION REQUIRED BY THE SELECT COMMITTEE

 

  1. To receive the Quarterly Performance Management Report insofar as it relates to the Resources Portfolio Holder’s responsibilities.

 

  1. Determine whether further information is required from the Portfolio Holder on the areas of concern as detailed in paragraph 6.

 

  1. To determine whether to add or amend the work programme of the Select Committee in light of the Quarterly Performance Management Report and any additional information received.

 

4. Determine if any further report is required from the Portfolio Holders relating to the User Satisfaction Survey (2003) results as detailed in Appendix 2.

 

BACKGROUND

 

1.                  This Report for quarter 1 summarises performance for the responsibilities under the Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services for the quarter ended 30th June 2004.  The report format has been revised and now includes a risk assessment for the new and existing Areas to Watch highlighted in the report; and a revised basket of key performance indicators, with quarterly target profiles.

 

2.         The results of the Best Value Performance Indicator User Satisfaction Survey 2003 is attached as Appendix 2 to this report.  In 2000/01, the Government specified a number of Best Value Performance Indicators (BVPIs) that required local authorities to survey local people. It was agreed that these user satisfaction surveys, to inform the production of the indicator information be conducted on a three yearly cycle. On that basis, the second survey took place in autumn 2003. The performance data is factual and reports the outturn for 2003/2004 performance indicators as per the ODPM’s requirements and is considered central to the authority’s performance management arrangements.

 

3.                  Following a contract tendering process an independent market research company, Questions Answered, undertook to consult on behalf of the Council to ensure complete objectivity of results. This took the form of a postal survey, which took place in the autumn of 2003, and involved randomly selecting 3,300 residents to be surveyed.  The result of this was an overall return of 1,192 responses.

4.                  Feedback from the previous Resources Select Committee when the Quarterly Performance Management Report for quarter 4. 2003-04 was presented have been taken on board.  The format and presentation of the report have been changed and a revised basket of performance indicators included in the report which includes a specific indicator concerning looked after children.

 

5.                  Significant progress has been made throughout the year on targets and activities with the Portfolio Holders responsibility including:

 

·         School organisation, phase one formative consultation has been completed within the agreed time parameters

 

·         Joint action plan has been developed and is being implemented following Ofsted and Children’s Services Inspection

 

·         Performance Indicator 3 (page-9) – the number of looked after children per 10,000 less than 18 years at the end of the quarter.  The quarterly target has been met and is anticipated to improve throughout the year

 

6.                  However, there are concerns on the following:

Performance Indicators:

 

·         Performance Indicator 2 (page-9) percentage of half days missed this quarter due to total absence in secondary schools.  The indicator has not met the quarterly target

 

·         Performance Indicator 4 (page-9) the number of looked after foster care children placed on the mainland, there were 5 more children placed in the first quarter than the quarterly expected target

 

RELEVANT PLANS, POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

 

Best Value Performance Plan 2003-04

Annual Action Statement 2004-05

Quarterly Performance Management Report 1 2004-05

 

CONSULTATION PROCESS

 

Heads of Service and their staff have supplied the information within the Quarterly Performance Management Report, with Directors being fully consulted on the content.

 

External consultation has not been necessary for this report, with the exception of the User Satisfaction Survey, as it is concerned with internal financial and management arrangements.

 

FINANCIAL, LEGAL, CRIME AND DISORDER IMPLICATIONS

 

The report itself does not have any financial implications. However, if Members make decisions regarding services identified in this report, these may have financial implications.

 

It is a requirement of the Local Government Act 1999 to deliver best value in service delivery of which an effective performance management system is a significant part.

 

APPENDICES ATTACHED

 

Appendix 1 Quarterly Performance Management Report 1 – 2004-05

Appendix 2 and 2a BVPI User Satisfaction Survey (November 2003)

 

BACKGROUND PAPERS USED IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS REPORT

 

Quarterly Performance Management Reports 1, 2, 3 and 4 (2003-04)

Annual Action Statement 2004-05

User Satisfaction Survey Results 2003

 

 

Contact Point : Heidi Marshall, Principal Policy Officer, 823250 [email protected]

 

 

 

 

COUNCILLOR JILL WAREHAM

Portfolio for Children’s Services