To safeguard children and adults in Southwark and lead policies to support them. To assume the statutory role of lead member for children’s services in accordance with the guidance produced by the Department for Education (DfE), including responsibility for children's social care and early years, the inclusion agenda, and work to implement the children and young people's plan. The portfolio holder will hold political accountability and exercise leadership over all areas included in DfE guidance. To lead our work with academies and other education providers to improve standards in every school in the borough so that no child is left behind.
To safeguard the needs of vulnerable adults, the provision of personal social services, services to older people, services to people with disabilities. To work with the Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Public Health to improve services for those with HIV/AIDS, drug and alcohol problems or mental health needs. The cabinet member will work closely with the Cabinet Member for Housing Management and Modernisation with regard to the housing needs of vulnerable adults.
The cabinet member will have particular responsibility for:
· housing needs of vulnerable adults
· adult social care, including personalisation
· ethical care and improving the quality of homecare
· disability and supporting vulnerable people
· residential care charter
· people with disabilities
· supporting people with mental health needs
· youth offending
· universal services for people children and young people
· early intervention
· child protection, safeguarding and specialist services for most vulnerable children, young people and their families
· education, employment or training for care leavers
· further education (16-18)
· raising the quality of children’s services
· school place provision and admissions
· raising school standards including by multi-academy trusts and other education providers
· expanding affordable childcare and nurseries
· the youth fund
· corporate parenting including fostering and adoption
· children and family centres
· Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
· Integration of health and social care.