Issue - items at meetings - Children in Care Performance Report

Report of the Interim director of Children’s Services (copy attached).

26.1         The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Interim Director of Children’s Services; the report provided a summary of key performance indicators, and an analysis of the key issues. The full report of performance indicators was attached to enable regular monitoring by all Members, as well as Members of the Sub-Committee.

26.2         Following a request from the Chair the Senior Lawyer clarified that an interim care order was initially granted for a maximum of 8 weeks; the courts would then be able to renew this every 28 days until either the final order was made, or there is a hearing that the order is no longer needed. A review of the family justice system had made clear that timescales of approximately 1 year were too long for the legal status of children to remain uncertain, and it had been accepted by Central Government that they must complete with 26 weeks – with a set of very prescriptive exceptions. Although this legislation had not yet come into effect a target had been set to complete within 26 weeks; the challenge for local authorities was to develop a system to meet the courts and take advantage of the faster timescales.

26.3         Councillor Hyde asked for more information in relation to the instability of placements; and in response Officers explained that the biggest factor affecting placement stability was careers struggling with challenging behaviour. Work was undertaken at stability meetings and additional services were put in place for support where appropriate.

26.4         Following queries from Councillor Gilbey it was explained that the education and employment performance of care leavers was better locally than the national average; however, the number of unemployed was rising, and it was accepted that employability was a challenge which needed to be focused on.

26.5         The Sub-Committee also discussed 6-monthly sexual health and substance misuse screenings. It was highlighted that this was often a subject that foster carers and social workers struggled to properly address as it was considered a difficult topic to discuss. More work could be undertaken with the Children in Care Council to consider linking up some of this with the work of the virtual school. The Senior Lawyer noted this was an example of a target that was less simple to assess; the discussions needed to be a two-way process between the social worker and the young person. Recording issues were also noted such that this kind of screening might happen informally as part of wider discussions.

26.6         RESOLVED –

      i.               That the Sub-Committee note and scrutinise the information in the report.

    ii.               That the Sub-Committee consider any particular issues they may wish to consider in more depth at future meetings.

  iii.               That Sub-Committee consider how to relay this information to the broader Council to ensure high awareness of the responsibilities for children in care.