Contact: Steve Love Ext: 7284

1 Summary

The following decisions are sought.

i) Executive Member - Social Care accepts the SSI Inspection of the Children's Services Report January 2003, the Victoria Climbie Self-Audit April 2003 and the SSI Evaluation July 2003 of the County Council's response to Victoria Climbie Audit and welcomes the improvements that have been achieved between the first and third inspections and the external validation of the remodelling of the Social Services Department

ii) Executive Member - Social Care agrees the Action Plan in response to the above inspections and audit and requests a report on recruitment and retention in three months time

iii) Executive Member - Social Care requests the Social Care Policy Review Committee to consider the reports and the action plans

2 Reason(s)

2.1 To ensure the future development of children and families services.

3 Other options considered and rejected

3.1 There are no other reasonable options.

4 Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision-maker or a Member or Officer consulted

4.1 None

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

5.1 Not applicable.

6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

Approved by: Date of decision:

Councillor Felicity Hindson