One aspect of my work which is a great privilege - though it can be a terrible chore, and certainly has its tedious moments! - is being involved in the life of Essex County Council.
I have been co-opted as a Member of the Council, in the first instance to be asked to contribute towards the scrutiny of policy in the arena of Children, Young People, Schools and Families. Being in County Hall and meeting other Members/Councillors, though, certainly helps me to develop relationships and familiarity with people and functions of our local authority, which is valuable in all sorts of ways...
Today, we had a day-long scrutiny exercise, calling a string of witnesses to tell our committee about their work on the Essex Safeguarding Children's Board. Essex has been heavily-critisized by OFSTED for its failing and unsatisfactory work in regard of safeguarding our children, so this Board's growing work and profile is significant. Should colleagues wish to know more about what we are investigating and monitoring, then do please be in touch.
It is also significant that, just yesterday, HM Government (DSCF) published its own latest bit of advice and direction about the work of Boards of this kind, following on as a response to the second piece of work by Lord Laming, itself arising out of the Baby Peter debacle over these past months.
Watch this space!
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