Issue - meetings

          The Board considered a report of the Executive Director - Children’s Services that provided an update on the progress made in the reduction of agency staff and court costs within the Service. It was noted that:

·       improvements in the quality of assessments, plans and planning was supporting a reduction in the number of applications being made to the courts;

·       progress was being made in concluding the number of children already in court with a reduction from 130 in February 2024 to 70 in March 2025;

·       Public Law Online (PLO) had been improved and more families were considered through the PLO process prior to application being made to court;

·       the number of children in care had reduced; and

·       agency staff numbers had also continued to reduce from 63% to 36% and the number of applicants had increased. Agency rates continued on a downward trajectory.

          The Board discussed the ‘Thrive’ approach, the numbers of agency staff currently employed and the area of Children Services they were based.

          RESOLVED: That the report be noted.