Issue - meetings

To provide a monthly update of performance monitoring activity in relation to Children in care.

The Committee considered a report setting out the January performance monitoring data in relation to CiC within the Children and Families service.

A note of caution was given in respect of comparisons with other boroughs and national averages because the figures for Haringey were accurate to the month whereas those of others were as of March 2009.

In response to concern over the low numbers of CiC with a Personal Education Plan (PEP) in place and the low numbers that were up to date, officers advised that greater input from schools would help to address this and that it was likely that more PEP’s had been done but the system had not been updated. This matter would be addressed. Also as Haringey had adopted the London PEP it should be easier to get better quality of information through better input from teachers and social workers. The new system which had gone live on 15 February 2010 would enable the Committee to track the process and receive regular progress reports.

Members sought a breakdown by age of the number of CIC who had received health assessments and dental checks over the previous 12 months. Also the Committee felt that it would be useful to have figures on the number of 19-24 year old care leavers in Education, Training or Employment.

Particular concern was raised over who was responsible for a 13 year old who had committed an offence whilst missing from care. It was noted that there were policies and guidance in place for when CIC go missing.

A new quality audit framework had been developed and the first audits started under the new arrangements from October. It was noted that  there would be monthly audits, which would either be themed and or generic .

RESOLVED:

·        That the report to the next meeting contain a breakdown by age of the percentage who had had health assessments and dental checks within the previous 12 months.

·        That an update to the July meeting be provided on the number of 19-24 year old care leavers in Education, Training or Employment.

·        That a report be presented setting out the breakdown of responsibility of care for those children missing from care and anonymous case studies be provided.

·        That the Chair be provided with specific information in relation to the 13 year old referred to in the report.

·        That a presentation be given to the next meeting on the operation of the new quality audit framework and specific information be provided on the CiC inspection cases carried out between October and December 2009