Issue - meetings

This report sets out performance data and trends for an agreed set of measures relating to looked after children. Section 2 provides an overall assessment of performance in the service and performance highlights. Appendix 1 provides a series of tables and graphs for each of these measures, grouped by topic, showing monthly data, performance against target, long term trends and benchmarking where applicable. It also contains performance and service comments for each area to provide context.

This report sets out performance data and trends for an agreed set of measures relating to looked after children for the period ending in July.

The Committee  noted the following highlights:

·        The number of children in care was declining at a steady level.  There was also a good number of children moving in with relatives rather than foster carers.

·        A child that had been in long term foster care had been adopted by the foster parents and  this was a good success story.

·        As  of last week, there were no children missing from care.

·        Good percentage of adoption and special guardianship orders.

Members asked if there could be more up to date performance information considered at future meetings as  the performance figures considered were for the end of July .

Members questioned the definition of suitable accommodation[Op147] as following the discussions with Aspire it was felt  necessary to look more closely at this performance area and   understand  what is  meant by safe, suitable and secure and  make sure this correlates  with the understanding the young person has about the accommodation. Members noted that at seventeen and a half there are tenancy workshops for care leavers to attend and get a good understanding of the accommodation options and their responsibilities as tenants.  It was clarified that care leavers do get priority in the housing bidding system and this had been made clear to the Head of Housing Support and Options.  There was a requirement for the care leavers to attend the tenancy workshops  and Members noted more work  was being completed on securing better  semi independent accommodation . There was also  a meeting between the interim Director for Children Services  and  the Housing Improvement manager  to  discuss private rented opportunities and whether the potential to  procure large  properties as accommodation  to be shared by care leavers.

Noted that there was a  report due to the next meeting  in December about housing for care leavers and   this should include the work on:

Ø  finding suitable accommodation for care leavers.

Ø  Update on the work to  procure better accommodation ,

Ø  the work with RSLs ,

Ø  support being given to young care leavers who are parents

Aspire had offered to complete inspections of properties and this was being considered.