The Committee will receive a report providing the findings of the Joint Targeted Area Inspection and plans to address the findings of the Inspection.

The Committee received a report that summarised the findings of the Joint Targeted Area Inspection (JTAI) conducted in Reading from 24 February to 14 March 2025. The inspection, carried out by Ofsted, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP), focused on the multi-agency response to unborn children and children aged 0 to 7 years who are victims of domestic abuse.

The Lead Member for Children and the Director of Children’s Services introduced the report, highlighting the inspection’s findings, which included both strengths and areas for improvement. Strengths identified included the valued multidisciplinary response provided by family help and children’s centres, the effectiveness of the pre-birth panel, and the support from specialist domestic abuse health professionals. However, the inspection also identified a Priority Action due to inconsistent information-sharing and weak decision-making that placed children at risk.

The Committee was informed that both single and multi-agency action plans were implemented at pace to address the identified weaknesses. These plans included improvements in strategy meeting timeliness, safety planning, information-sharing, and the use of data to understand the prevalence and impact of domestic abuse on children. Governance structures have been established to oversee progress, and a Partnership Action Plan would be submitted to Ofsted by 13 August 2025.

Chief Superintendent Felicity Parker, LCU Commander for Berkshire West attended the meeting to provide information on the work undertaken by Thames Valley Police (TVP) in relation to multi-agency safeguarding, particularly within the Berkshire West area. A number of questions were asked and the following key points were noted:

·       A multi-agency safeguarding plan with additional single agency plans in place for Berkshire West and the wider Thames Valley area had been submitted.

·       TVP would focus on improving data sharing with schools through Operation Encompass. Emphasis would ensure frontline officers completed submissions to the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) with accurate and timely information. Efforts were being made to improve the timeliness and quality of information shared with schools and other partners.

·       TVP were working to ensure that Domestic Violence Protection Notices (DVPNs) and Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) information were shared promptly with relevant partners. Strategic improvements were being explored to enhance data sharing responsibilities across agencies. Information was shared with the Berkshire West Children’s Board and Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs), although further work was needed to strengthen this area.

·       One of the key findings from the JTAI related to the timeliness of strategy meetings. TVP had addressed internal delays, such as waiting for officers on shift, and prioritised MASH work to improve responsiveness.

·       There was a recognised need to better capture the voice of the child in Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs).

·       TVP had the ability to surge resources into MASH through Operation Yearn, drawing officers from other departments to meet demand. This has recently been implemented to ensure timely responses.

·       While operational collaboration with children’s services was improving, further work was required at the strategic partnership level, particularly in relation to the Children’s Board and CSPs.

Members noted the report and acknowledged the swift and comprehensive response by the partnership. They emphasised the importance of continued focus on safeguarding, reducing caseloads, and ensuring that children’s voices were heard and acted upon. The Committee also noted the transition of Children’s Services back into the Council and the anticipated monitoring visits by Ofsted.

Discussions were being undertaken with the Department for Education (DfE) to finalised the improvement notices and the appointment of the DfE improvement partner which would support scrutiny and assurance to the improvement work being undertaken.

The Chair thanked the officers for the report and noted that there would be an expectation that colleagues from the Integrated Care Board, Probation Service and Thames Valley Police would attend the next update of the Joint Targeted Area Inspection.

Resolved –

(1)           That the findings of the Joint Targeted Area Inspection and the areas for improvement be noted;

(2)           That the delivery of the single and multi-agency action plans to address the findings of the inspection be noted (Appendices 1 & 2 of the report);

(3)           That the governance arrangements be noted (Appendices 3 & 4 of the report);

(4)           That a future update on the progress of the Partnership Action Plan and the impact of improvement activities be provided to the next meeting;

(5)           That officers from the Integrated Care Board, Probation Service and Thames Valley Police attend the future update to provide information on their areas of improvement.