Business Plan 2013/14

Business Plan 2013/14

The Children’s Panel

– Life Changing.

ContentsIntroduction from the National Convener 3Our vision, mission and values 4The corporate and business planning framework 5Budget and resources 6How we contribute to the Scottish Government’s 7Purpose and National Outcomes 7Business objective one 9Business objective two 10Business objective three 12Business objective four 14Business objective five 16Business objective six 18Business objective seven 19CHS Balanced Scorecard 20

Children’s Hearings Scotland | Business Plan 2013/14

Introduction from the National ConvenerI am delighted to introduce the CHS Business Plan for 2013/14 , which reflects the fact that the coming year is a crucial one for CHS and the Children’s Hearings System as a whole.

the National Convener and CHS. Through the transition, we will strive to retain best practice and to identify opportunities to improve the delivery of support to our panel member community. In all our work we will make the most of our resources in this challenging economic climate. Our Business Plan also highlights how we intend to contribute to six of the Scottish Government’s National Outcomes.

Our objectives for 2013/14 are to:

● Capture the views and experiences of children and young people in the Children’s Hearings System to inform our policies, practice and decision making

● Put in place the structures, processes and resources to facilitate a smooth transition to the Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011

● Ensure that Area Support Teams (AST) are well trained, supported, resourced and work together to provide high quality support to the national children’s panel

● Work with partners across the Children’s Hearings System to deliver improvements

The implementation of The Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 (2011 Act), in June this year, is long awaited amongst the panel member community and beyond and will see the culmination of years of planning. From then, CHS will no longer be operating in a shadow period.

As outlined in our previous Business Plan, our priority was to establish our organisation and to work with our Scottish Government colleagues to ensure a smooth transition to the national children’s panel and the structures that will underpin it. Much progress has been made since then: all Area Support Team (AST) structures and designate members, as well as partnership agreements with local authorities, are in place; a positive response rate to the invitation to transfer to the national Children’s Panel was achieved and procurement of future panel member training got underway.

Our focus in this years Business Plan is also to ensure that all the necessary arrangements are in place to facilitate a seamless transition of the functions and duties in the 2011 Act to

for children, young people and their families● Embed effective governance and support

arrangements across CHS and ASTs● Develop systems and resources to

communicate and engage effectively with all our stakeholders

● Make the most of our people

Above all, we will continue to build on the work that we have started to capture the views and experiences of children and young people who come to a children’s hearing. We will explore creative ways in which to involve them, meaningfully in the training of panel members and in the work of our organisation, in order to deliver on our commitment that every aspect of our work supports improving outcomes for children, young people and their families.

I hope you will find our Business Plan of interest.

Bernadette Monaghan National Convener and Chief Executive 3

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Our vision, mission and values

Our vision is of a Children’s Hearings System where everyone works together, making sure that all children and young people are heard, respected, valued, cared for and protected.

Child centred – making sure everything we do is in the best interests of children and young people.

Respectful – treating children, young people, their families, panel and AST members, partners and each other with care and consideration.

Fair – making sure that everyone is treated with dignity and according to their individual needs; that our information and services are accessible and that we provide a consistent level of service to all.

Creative – considering innovative and imaginative ways of approaching the issues we face at work.

Challenging – not being complacent, but questioning ourselves and others to help us improve.

Open – listening, responding to and learning from feedback; acting honestly; ensuring processes are transparent; sharing performance data and being accountable for our actions and decisions.

Our mission is to improve outcomes and experiences for children and young people in Scotland who may be at risk. We will do this by supporting the children’s panel, working with partners and using our influence to drive improvements across the Children’s Hearings System.

Our values describe how we will act in every aspect of our work:


Vision Values

Mission

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Our Business Plan 2013/14 outlines in more detail the activities which we will carry out this year to deliver our corporate outcomes. The plan also sets out who will lead on these activities and when they will be completed by. The business plan will be supported by detailed project plans for our key initiatives.

Monitoring our performance We are committed to measuring and reporting on how we are doing to deliver our corporate outcomes and business objectives.

The CHS performance management framework will track how well we are doing to deliver our goals as set out in our corporate and business plans, and how we are performing as an organisation.

We use a balanced scorecard to measure our performance. The balanced scorecard is a performance dashboard, structured into four views, which provides an overview of the work of CHS. The balanced scorecard contains a suite of key performance indicators (KPIs). These

KPIs are indicators of success and should be read together as part of a package to get an overall picture of our performance. An example of the balanced scorecard can be found on page 20 of this plan.

The CHS Board and our Sponsor Team at Scottish Government will monitor our performance against the corporate and business plan on a quarterly basis through our performance management report. The performance management reports will be published online at www.chsscotland.gov.uk

As part of our performance management framework each CHS employee will set individual objectives. These objectives will support the delivery of this plan.

Monitoring riskCHS has a Risk Management Policy. The CHS Board oversees our risk management arrangements. A positive attitude to risk assessment and solving risk problems is adopted by the Board and CHS staff at all levels.

The corporate and business planning frameworkCHS sets out four corporate outcomes in Corporate Plan 2012-15, which was published on 21 May 2012.

Outcome one

Hearings are centred around the child or young person where their rights and those of their families are respected and upheld

Outcome two Panel members feel valued, respected, supported and well trained to make and record consistent, sound decisions in the best interests of children and young people

Outcome three

Outcomes for children and young people in the Children’s Hearings System are improved by working together with partners in a whole systems approach

Outcome four CHS is an effective, efficient and enabling organisation that meets the needs of its stakeholders

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Budget and resources CHS revenue budget 2013/14 (£000)

Staff 732

Board 97

Property 57

Travel 15

Other Operating Expenses 585Independent legal advice to hearings 45

Panel and AST expenses 841

Panel and AST training 645

Support for Hearings 150Recruitment of

Panel Members 297

Total 3,465

National Convener/Chief Executive

Executive Assistant0.6 Contracts Manager

Vacant

Director of Panel and Area Support

Director of Finance and Corporate Services

Assistant Panel and Area Support Officer

Admin AssistantAdmin Assistant

Temporary Research Assistant

Temporary Communications Assistant

Temporary

0.5 Advice to Hearings

Development Officer

Temporary

2 x Panel and Area Support Officers

1 x vacant

Panel Database

Administrator

AST Project Co-ordinator

Temporary

Practice and Policy

OfficerVacant

Records Manager

Temporary

IT Project Manager

Temporary

Implementation Officer

Temporary

Admin Co-ordinator

Vacant

Performance and

Research Officer

Communications and

Engagement Officer

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How we contribute to the Scottish Government’s Purpose and National OutcomesThe Scottish Government’s 16 National Outcomes describe what the Scottish Government aims to achieve in a ten year period. Our contribution to six of these National Outcomes is demonstrated below:

National Outcome CHS’ contribution

Our young people are successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens

● With partners we will establish a National Participation Forum with young people to ensure that the voice of Looked After Children is heard and listened to. We will develop ongoing relationships with young people and support them to develop their skills and confidence.

● We will explore creative and meaningful ways in which to involve children and young people, as part of a Modern Apprentice Programme, in future panel member training and in the work of our organisation. This will ensure that every aspect of our work is child centered.

Our children have the best start in life and are ready to succeed

● We will ensure that panel members are well trained to make and record consistent, sound decisions in the best interests of all children who come to a Hearing.

● We will work with partners across the Children’s Hearings System to develop a framework to measure outcomes for children and young people in the Children’s Hearings System, using the GIRFEC model.

National Outcome CHS’ contribution

We have improved the life chances for children, young people and families at risk

● We will work with partners to implement the 2011 Act. ● CHS and ASTs will ensure that our panel members are well trained and supported to make decisions

considering the needs, circumstances and best interests of children and young people. ● We will use research and data, our own and that of our partners, to inform panel member practice. ● CHS is a member of the Children’s Hearings Improvement Partnership, Hearings Management group

and Individual Participation in Hearings group which will drive improvements for children, young people and their families.

● We will work with our partners across the Children’s Hearings System to develop a framework to measure outcomes for children and young people in the Children’s Hearings System.

We live our lives safe from crime, disorder and danger

● We will ensure that panel members are well trained to make decisions in the best interests of these children and young people.

● We will work with partners in a whole system approach to improve outcomes for children and young people through early and effective intervention.

We have strong, resilient and supportive communities where people take responsibility for their own actions and how they affect others

● We will continue to recruit and appoint volunteer panel members from local communities to sit on the Children’s Panel and make decisions in the best interests of children and young people.

● We will also recruit Area Support Team members who will volunteer their time to support the Children’s Panel.● We will seek to contribute to Community Planning Partnerships.

Our public services are high quality, continually improving, efficient and responsive to local people’s needs

● We will further develop our organisational performance management framework to ensure that it effectively monitors the impact of CHS in fulfilling our responsibilities to the panel community. We will report on organisational performance on a quarterly basis.

● We will report on our progress to achieving the activities set out in this plan on a quarterly basis.● We will embed our National Standards, which set out core values, principles and expectations for the

behaviours and practice of everyone involved with the national Children’s Panel, in everything we do. We will develop a mechanism to report on this.


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Business activity Lead Milestones

Use the findings of our report summarising 27 research reports on children and young people’s views and experiences of children’s hearings to inform all areas of our work

SMT Publish report – April 2013Develop an action plan to address the findings of the report – September 2013

Undertake a collaborative qualitative research project with SCRA, exploring the views and experiences of children, young people, their families and carers, of the Children’s Hearings System and use these findings to develop an improvement plan and to inform panel member practice and training

Performance and Research Officer

Award contract – April 2013Complete project – October 2013Develop an improvement plan – January 2014

Work with partners to scope and create resources for panel members to help them gain the views of children and young people during a hearing

Communications and Engagement Officer

Work with Individual Participation in Hearings group to define the resources – January 2014Produce the resources – March 2014

Scope a reporting mechanism to evidence that the National Standards are embedded in the practices of CHS staff, the Board, AST members and panel members

SMT March 2014 (in preparation for the AST annual reviews)

Ensure that the appointed training provider captures the views and experiences of children and young people in the design of training for panel and AST members

National Convener Evaluate ITT and award contract – May 2013


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Corporate outcome

Hearings are centred around the child or young person where their rights and those of their families are respected and upheld

Business objective one Capture the views and experiences of children and young people in the Children’s Hearings System to inform our policies, practice and decision making


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Establish the national Children’s Panel National Convener National Convener confirms membership – June 2013

Secure arrangements for the continued hosting and support of the panel member database

Director of Panel and Area Support/Director of Finance and Corporate Services

Award contract for hosting and support of panel member database – April 2013Handover of PanelPal from SG to CHS – June 2013

Manage the transfer of information from Scottish Government and local authorities to CHS so that we can undertake our statutory functions effectively


Complete inventory of information held by SG and local authorities – April 2013 Establish information sharing protocols between CHS, SG and local authorities – April 2013Handover of PanelPal from SG to CHS – June 2013

Develop a detailed plan to ensure that CHS fulfils its obligations in respect of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007, 2013 Modification Order


Agree PVG timetable with Disclosure Scotland – April 2013Recruit counter signatories for PVG checks – April 2013Approval of PVG policy by CHS Board – May 2013Register CHS with the PVG Scheme – June 2013

With ASTs and Clerks, plan and deliver the recruitment, training and appointment of a cohort of new panel members


Undertake gap analysis – July 2013Start recruitment exercise – August 2013Receive recommendations for appointment – October 2013

Corporate outcome

Panel members feel valued, respected, supported and well trained to make and record consistent, sound decisions in the best interests of children and young people

Business objective two Put in place the structures, processes and resources to facilitate a smooth transition to the Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011


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Establish procedures for the process of appointment, reappointment and resignation of panel members


June 2013

Put in place arrangements for the management of the contract for the provision of panel member and AST member training

National Convener Complete final ITT evaluation – May 2013ITT evaluation results and notification of award of contract – May 2013Approval of training contract award by CHS Board – June 2013Training contract start date – June 2013

Establish a framework for local learning and development for panel members


ASTs develop training calendars – August 2013

Agree with local authorities, and pilot with AST members, the process and procedures for the payment of panel member and AST expenses, including: ● mechanisms for control● monitoring and reimbursement of local authorities


Agree expenses infrastructure with local authorities – May 2013

Put in place the resources and guidance for the provision of National Convener advice to hearings

Advice to Hearings Development Officer

Provision of specialist legal and procedural advice in place – June 2013

Establish AST and panel member reference groups and draw up the terms of reference so that they can share and disseminate learning

National Convener Arrangements in place – April 2013

Publish the Practice and Procedure Manual for panel members


Publish Practice and Procedural Manual – June 2013


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Business objective three Ensure that Area Support Teams are well trained, supported, resourced and work together to provide high quality support to the national Children’s Panel


Develop, disseminate and brief AST members on the core policies and procedures for the operation of ASTs

Director of Panel and Area Support/Panel and Area Support Officer

Plan and deliver a series of launch events for ASTs – May 2013Complete core policies and procedures – June 2013Complete and disseminate final Panel and AST Handbook – December 2013

Introduce a rolling programme of targeted recruitment for AST members to ensure that ASTs can fully support panel members in their area

Director of Panel and Area Support/ Panel and Area Support Officer

Recruitment procedures in place – May 2013

Put in place the mechanisms and resources for the reporting of Children’s Hearings management information at AST and national level


Agree package of information with ASTs and SCRA – May 2013Mechanisms for reporting in place – June 2013

Plan the processes required for the phased reappointment of ASTs

Director of Panel and Area Support/ Panel and Area Support Officer

Processes in place – March 2014


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Establish risk management arrangements and guidance for ASTs


Arrangements and guidance in place – March 2014

Produce a communications toolkit for ASTs Communications and Engagement Officer

Complete toolkit – June 2013

In collaboration with panel and AST members, develop the functionality of the new online portal in line with panel and AST requirements


Award website and portal contracts – April 2013Review and sign off website and portal – June 2013Launch website and portal – June 2013Carry out further development of the portal – July 2013 onwards

Implement and ensure the provision of training for AST members on a complaints procedure for panel members and ASTs members

Panel and Area Support Officer

Approval of Complaints Policy by CHS Board – May 2013Publish Complaints Policy and Procedure – May 2013Relevant AST members equipped to implement Complaints Policy and Procedures – May 2013Publish Complaints Procedure on AST portal – May 2013

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Corporate outcome

Outcomes for children and young people in the Children’s Hearings System are improved by working together with partners in a whole systems approach

Business objective four Work with partners across the Children’s Hearings System to deliver improvements for children, young people and their families


Contribute to the work of the Children’s Hearings Improvement Partnership (CHIP) in exploring shared outcomes to demonstrate the impact of the Children’s Hearings System for children and young people

National Convener Ongoing

Work with SCRA to develop a research project on the quality of information provided to hearings to support panel member decision making


March 2014

In partnership with local authorities, put in place a mechanism for reporting on the implementation of compulsory supervision orders for the National Convener’s annual report


Complete consultation with partners on the definition of implementation of a CSO and numerical indicators – May 2013Finalise definition of the implementation of a CSO and numerical indicators with ADSW – May 2013Arrangements in place – June 2013



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Evaluate the effectiveness of our communications, information exchanges and relationships with partners by conducting a partner survey


Deliver survey – January 2014Finalise report – March 2014

Disseminate and monitor the delivery of hearings management guidance to ensure effective hearings management practice

Director of Panel and Area Support/Hearings Management Group

Issue phase one of Hearings Management practice guidance – April 2013Issue second phase of guidance – June 2013Issue third phase of guidance – December 2013

Establish a policy and practice function which will ensure the views of CHS, the panel community and children and young people in the Children’s Hearings System are reflected in the development of national policy

SMT Appoint Policy and Practice Officer – May 2013


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Establish shared risk management arrangements with SCRA


June 2013

Implement an information management framework:● Implement policies, procedures and guidance

for CHS, ASTs and panel members to ensure compliance with information related legislation and develop a phased approach for a rolling programme of training

● Implement information processing arrangements with local authorities to govern their processing of information on behalf CHS

● Where appropriate, transfer information from local authorities and Scottish Government to CHS so that we can carry out our operational functions

● Establish records management arrangements and protocols to manage CHS’ corporate information


Implement policies, procedures and guidance – June 2013Develop phased approach for programme of training – June 2013

June 2013 June 2013 May 2013

Corporate outcome

CHS is an effective, efficient and enabling organisation that meets the needs of its stakeholders

Business objective five Embed effective governance and support arrangements across CHS and ASTs


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Gather demographic and equality information about panel members and AST members to:● Inform panel member recruitment ● Ensure compliance with the Equality Act 2010


December 2013

Produce a five year financial strategy for 2014-2018 to inform strategy in preparation for the Scottish Government spending reviews


Complete outline – December 2013Complete strategy – February 2014

Identify CHS’ duties under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 and put in place a plan to deliver these


December 2013

Implement and provide training on the CHS complaints procedure


December 2013

Develop an ICT strategy to support the operation of CHS, ASTs and the national Children’s Panel


September 2013

Report to Scottish Government on progress to incorporate CHS’ new duties on Public Service Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 into our performance management framework


December 2013

Embed Scottish Government’s Corporate Expectations in the work of CHS through reporting our contribution to each in quarterly reports


July 2013

Business objective six Develop systems and resources to communicate and engage effectively with all our stakeholders


Deliver a Communications and Engagement plan that focuses on the implementation of the Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 and which enables CHS to:● Communicate and engage effectively with our wide

range of stakeholders● Promote the role and contribution of panel

members and AST members● Raise the profile of the Children’s Hearings

System and the roles of the National Convener and CHS within it


Produce quarterly activity plans to complement the Communications and Enagement plan – April, July, October, JanuaryProduce revised Communications and Engagement plan for 2014/15 – March 2014

Complete phase one of a project to deliver an accessible public CHS website and secure online portal that will provide:● Panel and AST members with a single point of

access to all the information and functionality they need to support them in their roles

● A new CHS website● A collaborative and secure platform for working

and communicating between CHS staff, Board members, ASTs and panel members


Award website and portal contracts – April 2013Review and sign off website and portal – June 2013Launch website and portal – June 2013


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Business objective seven Make the most of our people


Create opportunities for our people to learn and develop through implementing a People Strategy for CHS staff

National Convener Review of organisational policies – April 2013Staff performance management arrangements in place -– April 2013People strategy submitted to Remuneration and Appointment Committee for review – September 2013Submit people strategy to Board for approval – September 2013

Carry out a CHS staff satisfaction survey Performance and Research Officer

Undertake staff survey – October 2013Produce report – November 2013

Use the findings of the employer survey of the panel community and conduct follow up research with employers of panel members to inform the development of an employer strategy to increase panel member retention, boost morale and improve the overall experience of being a panel member

The Board / Performance and Research Officer

Complete report on the employer support – April 2013Establish next steps – May 2013

Work with the Scottish Qualifications Authority to develop an accredited award for panel member and AST member training


December 2013

Conduct a panel member and AST member satisfaction survey


Undertake survey – December 2013Complete report – February 2014



CHS Balanced Scorecard

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This balanced scorecard is structured into four views which provide a 360 degree overview of the work of CHS.

The KPIs contained in the scorecard are intended to be indicators of success and should be read together as part of a package to get an overall picture of our performance. Targets will be set for these KPIs over the coming year.

The performance management report will be reviewed continuously to make sure that we are reporting on the right things.

Children’s Hearings Scotland Area 2/1/1 Ladywell House Ladywell Road Edinburgh EH12 7TB

t: 0131 244 3696 f: 0131 244 4745

www.chscotland.gov.uk

Business Plan 2013/14

This publication has not been printed to save paper. However, if you require a printed copy or a copy in an alternative format and/or language, please contact us to discuss your needs. The Children’s Panel – life changing.


http://www.chscotland.gov.uk

Business Plan 2013/14

Documents

Transcript of Business Plan 2013/14