ICS: Challenge and Opportunity Workshop

3.15 4.15 Lee Hopkins and John Hayter

Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames

20th April 2009

Kingston in Context

• Total population: 157,923 (ONS –

2007)

• Population under 18 yrs: 32,282 (ONS –

2007)

• Open ‘Safeguarding’ cases: 800

• Children Looked After (CLA): c 135

• Child Protection (CP) Plan: c 90

• ICS Users: 130

Kingston Prior to ICS• Processes developed locally based primarily on

Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families

• Paper file recording for most information processes• Electronic ‘event data’ recording on SWIFT database• Inconsistencies in recording mechanisms• Performance information collection dependant on several

manual processes different across Teams• Limited reporting functionality maintained by individuals

Kingston Implementation

• Full Business Process review 2005• Consideration and impact of DCSF requirements on

existing processes• Development partner with Liquid Logic• Data migration and integration July 2006• Development of Practice Guide August 2006• System testing October 2006• End user training November 2006• Go Live December 2006

Issues and Challenges

• Interpretation of requirements• NAF not consistently embedded across service

areas• Change Management and cultural shift• Analysis and report writing skills• Process driven work• Flexibility to add bespoke documents• Use of ICT – basic skills• Staff training – ICS framework

Current Position

• Preparing for ICS Phase 1C• Good level of practitioner sign-up• Robust training mechanisms• Good ICT and practice guidance• Strong performance management culture out performing

national statutory targets• Reliable reporting mechanism• Need to improve systems support functions• Need to review Business Process to ensure fit for

purpose and ICT processes simplified and streamlined

Your Current Position?• Where are you strategically

• Project planning, lead, sponsor, user groups• Organisational Structure and roles• Cultural change and change management

• Current phase of ICS (including challenges)• Training and support• Links to practice (practice guide)• Management Information

• Investment in infrastructure• One PC per person• Required network; Home working

• Impact on performance?

Action Plan

• What are your key priorities:• Strategically• Operationally• Technically

• What are the main barriers to successfully achieving priorities?

• How will you overcome them?

Contact Information

• Lee Hopkins• Strategic Manager Safeguarding Services• lee.hopkins@rbk.kingston.gov.uk

• John Hayter• ICT Development Manager• john.hayter@rbk.kingston.gov.uk