In its response to the proposals, put forward last month by an independent review and backed by Education Secretary Michael Gove, the council says it will work with the government to implement the creation of the trust to be run by an independent children’s commissioner, but makes a series of counter recommendations about how this could be put into practice.
Doncaster’s mayor Ros Jones, who vowed to reform children’s services when she entered office in May, says the proposals as currently drafted require “significant modification” because they muddy lines of accountability between the children’s commissioner and the council as to who is responsible for children’s services.
She says: “This provision affords the children’s commissioner the power to intervene within children’s services without any concomitant transfer of statutory responsibilities. This would create an ambiguous line of accountability and put significant risks in the system.”
Jones adds that the accountability measures suggested in the review are “unclear, high-risk and conflicting legal powers, responsibilities and accountabilities between the Secretary of State and the council”.
She also warns that the proposals show “an absence of regard for a clear and unambiguous line of political and professional accountability for outcomes for children” in respect of the statutory roles, responsibilities and accountabilities held by the lead member for children’s services and director of children’s services.
The recommendations, put forward by London School of Economics’ Professor Julian Le Grand and Hackney director of children’s services Alan Wood last month, are “simplistic and problematic” in their approach to financial arrangements, “inaccurate in understanding” of employment law, and have a “confused and unworkable” view on commissioning.
Despite the concerns, Jones says the proposals could be “workable” if modified.
She calls for the council to be made responsible for commissioning the independent trust, working alongside the Department for Education. She says the trust should also be given powers to commission services other than just children’s social care.
In addition, she recommends that the council appoint a director of children’s services who would take on the position of chief executive of the trust, and be accountable to a trust board and chair appointed by the Education Secretary.
Jones concludes: “I am personally committed to establishing this new model for the delivery of children’s services in Doncaster. There is a precedent of this type of model in the housing arena, and it has been a great success here in Doncaster. I would like Doncaster Council in partnership with you, to be at the forefront of developing this as an effective model of children’s services delivery and I would be grateful if you could consider this proposal very carefully.”
The government-backed proposals have suggested the trust be introduced in April 2014, but the council is calling for a “realistic timetable” for any reforms to be implemented.
