Our programme provides a wide range of activities including thematically focused events across the year related to ALDCS four priority areas, as well as annual events bringing together Director of Children’s Services, as proven tools for improvement.
Project Goals
- To provide an effective way for local authorities to get insights in a way that is not confrontational or judgemental but allows for an exploration of strength/risk and the chance to develop ideas that will benefit the LA’s practice.
- To provide a series of both thematic/topical peer challenges and events, whilst also maintaining a focus on Children’s Social Care for Directors of Children’s Services as their annual peer challenge activities. Discussions in the sub-regions have recommended a focus on discrete areas of practice, tailored to each borough’s needs.
- Provide a Common Framework that consists of the LIIA quarterly Benchmarking Data to underpin the peer to peer analysis, together with each borough’s self-evaluation to enable deeper ‘challenge’.
Project Milestones
- ALDCS Children’s Services Summit: Hosted the second ALDCS children’s services summit, welcoming Lead Members, Children’s Services colleagues, DfE, health and many other partners to identify opportunities for greater collaboration in order to improve outcomes for children in London.
- South London DCS Peer Challenge: 12 London Authority DCS, Practice Leaders and Heads of Service came together as groups of 3 for peer challenge events that are conducted with a coaching model to provide an effective way for exploration of strengths and risks.
- East South London DCS Peer Challenge: 8 London Authority DCS, Practice Leaders and Heads of Service came together as smaller groups for peer challenge events that are conducted with a coaching model and appreciative inquiry to provide an effective way for exploration of strengths and risks.
- North South London DCS Peer Challenge; 5 London Authority DCS, Practice Leaders and Heads of Service came together as smaller groups for peer challenge events that are conducted with a coaching model to provide an effective way for exploration of strengths and risks.
- North West London DCS Peer Challenge; 8 London Authority DCS, Practice Leaders and Heads of Service came together as a complete group with a day’s focus on adolescent safeguarding for their peer challenge event conducted with a coaching model to provide an effective way for exploration of strengths and risks.
- Lambeth Peer Review; was conducted over 2 days with the objective to understand the current joint commissioning practice in Lambeth and highlight strengths and areas for innovation and development to improve outcomes for children.