Issue - items at meetings - PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Report of the Director of Children’s Services.

32.1    Steve Barton, Assistant Director of Performance, CYPT, presented the report to Members and answered questions.

32.2    In response to questions about performance in relation to Looked After Children, it was agreed that this was a major challenge for Children’s Services. It was explained that each child may have a dedicated team, a personal education planner, monitored packages of support, foster carers and external grant funding, although sustaining funding was problematic.

It was noted that the Looked After Children Strategy is on the CYPOSC work programme. for the 25 March 2009.

32.3    In answer to a question concerning why the council  had entered a relationship to procure placements for looked after children with West Sussex rather than East Sussex County Council, it was explained that West Sussex was particularly eager to work with the council on this initiative. However, relationships with East Sussex were positive too.

32.4    In response to questions relating to the “Referrals to CYPT Safeguarding Teams” figures, the Committee was informed that child protection was everyone’s responsibility and referrals ought to be going to the safeguarding teams. Month on month figures varied considerably,  as they did in neighbouring local authorities.

32.5    It was noted that it was important to get first time entrants into Youth Justice back into education as soon as possible.

32.6    RESOLVED- That the Committee note the report and agree to the action being taken to improve performance.