Transforming life

chances: How

serious are we?

Nigel RichardsonDirector of

Children’s Services, Leeds, UK

Sydney 2015

Tell me about

RBA/OBA Grandpa !

July 2009:An Inspector

Calls…

‘The response to child protection referrals does

not meet statutory guidance and does not ensure that children are

adequately safeguarded’.

Leeds Ofsted report 2009

Only One

Question

What is it like to be a

child or young person

growing up in Leeds…

and how do we make it

better?

Three mindsetsDo the simple things better

The child is the client

Safeguard and promote

Children live in

families

Families create

communities

Communities create

cities

Changing Families

• Lowest marriage rate in 150 years

• Most couples cohabit before marriage

• Highest teenage pregnancy rate in Western Europe

• 2 million lone parents with dependent children

• 4/10 babies born outside marriage

• 2million + ++ children living in poverty

• Estimated cost of family breakdown - £46 billion +++

Family risk factors

• Poor parental supervision

• Harsh/erratic discipline

• Parental conflict

• Separation from a biological parent

• Family violence

• Anti-social parent

• Low income

• Poor housing

Risks for young people

• Leaving school with no qualifications

• Involvement in crime

• Alcohol & drugs

• Poor mental health

• Homelessness

• Pregnancy/fatherhood

Protective factors

• Social bonding

• Clear standards of positive behaviour

• Involvement in family, school & community

• Positive role models

• Clear, high expectations

• Social & thinking skills

• Recognition & praise

Or put another way…

• Experience of the education system and labour market

• Society and culture in which they grow up

• Relationships with parents and families

• Experiences with peers and in leisure time

What if?An

organisational imperative?

A new Social Contract?

Recognise ‘family’ as the most important ‘utility’ for the 21st century?

‘You shouldnever plan anything –

then nothing can ever go

wrong !’ Spike Milligan

uiu

Leeds• 180K children and young

people• One vision • One partnership • One Plan• Five outcomes• 12 priorities and 3

obsessions • 25 clusters : 3

behaviours• Schools at the heart of

communities • 75k people• A life ready for learning

Three behaviours

• Voice and influence of the child

• Restorative practice

• Outcomes based accountability

Changing culture• Cross-party political

support

• OBA as the recognised methodology for projects in the city.

• Approach adopted by key city-

wide strategic partnerships

• Children’s Trust Board receive regular OBA scorecards on CYP Plan priorities.

• Adopted by all local ‘cluster’

partnerships

• 25 clusters using OBA events

• to address local priority issues

• - Top 100 Methodology

Changing culture • A restorative commitment to

working with individuals, families and communities to solve problems

• OBA used to consult on school place planning in response to population growth

• The children’s social care transformation programme – improving frontline practice

• OBA used to plan change, measure impact and show practitioners the difference they are making.

• A new social contract with families

• The way we do things around here!

Is anybody any better

off?

Num

ber o

f chi

ldre

n lo

oked

aft

er

1500

1400

1300

1200March 11 March 15March 13March 12 March 14

250 fewer children in care(£16m saved)

It pays to obsess: Reducing the number of looked after children

Num

ber o

f you

ng p

eopl

e w

ho a

re N

EET

2300

2050

1550

1300March 11 March 15March 13March 12 March 14

1800

570 fewer young people who are NEET

It pays to obsess: Reducing the number of young people not in education, employment, or training

(NEET)

It pays to obsess: Improving school attendance

Primary schools Secondary schools

2010/11 2013/142011/12 2012/13

92%

98%

96%

94%

2010/11 2013/142011/12 2012/13

92%

98%

96%

94%

Academic year Academic year

Approximately 400,000 more pupil days in schools

So what?

2015: The inspectors return!The Inspectors looked at… And found that Leeds is…

children who need help and protection

Good

children looked after and achieving permanence Good

adoption Good

experience and progress of care leavers

Good

leadership and management Outstanding

The Leeds Safeguarding Children Board is

Good

OVERALL LEEDS IS… Good

2015:The inspectors

on OBA ‘The application of the

outcomes based accountability

approach… is facilitating a shared understanding

of priorities for children… (and) the three obsessions are

providing a sharp focus for strategic and

operational thinking’.

Ofsted 2015

Keep thinking about…

• Early start and early help

• The behaviour of adults

• Children live in families

• Multi-agency endeavours safeguard children

• The common wealth of an area

• Voice and influence of children

• The strength of families

Points to Ponder…• Keep the complex

simple not simplistic• Obsess on outcomes• Keep your discipline• Repeating yourself is

good• Understand the

patterns• Tell stories• Structures help shape

behaviours but relationships make the difference

• Repeating yourself is good

A Question of leadership?

• No more heroes

• Relationships across partnerships

• Culture eats strategy for breakfast

• The way we do things around here

• What and how but also why

• Invert the triangle

• Outcomes, Outcomes, Outcomes

• There’s a dance to be danced

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW8amMCVAJQ

Everything you need to know about leadership in three

minutes…

Common language

Better diagnosis

Better interventi

on

Better outcomes

Changing behaviours

Transforming life

chances:

How serious are

you ?

Your choice

Trying hard is not

good enough

Thank you for listening.