Issue - meetings

To consider and note the update report on child protection performance.

The Committee received the update report on key performance issues in Child Protection, introduced by Debbie Haith, Deputy Director, Children and Families, who drew attention to the 17% increase in the number of looked after children (LAC) and the 23% increase in those subject to a children protection plan.

The Committee noted that there had been a decrease in the numbers of assessments (NI59 and NI60) completed within the timescales (page 64) particularly over the summer period.  The report contained data up to August 2010 therefore supplementary information on assessments would be circulated to Committee Members (action 100.1).  It was noted that the 10 day target for initial assessments to be completed was more realistic (than the 7 day deadline) and allowed professionals more time to talk to each other about cases.

The Committee asked for information on the 7 out of 21 care leavers who were not in education, employment or training (NEET) on their 19^th birthday (Page 66, NI 148) (action 100.2).

Committee members noted that the statistics provided in the performance reports were agreed by Council Members through a process conducted by the policy and performance team.  Committee members were invited to email the Cabinet Member if they had suggestions on specific variations on data that they wished the Committee or the Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee to consider (action 100.3).

In response to concerns raised about the low statistics for reviews in August (page 69 of the agenda pack) and for social worker visits to children in care (CIC) (page 71) it was noted that numbers tended to dip during the summer holiday period and there were a number of reasons why visits might be cancelled and rearranged.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.