Issue - meetings

This report provides an analysis of the performance data and trends for an agreed set of measures relating to Looked After Children on behalf of the Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee.

RECEIVED the report on Performance for the Year to August 2015. Report included in the agenda pack (pages 9 to 18). 

NOTED in response to discussion:

• An overall improving trajectory in relation to the majority of performance indicators.

• As of the 5^th October there were 450 Children in Care, which was 76 per 10,000 population including 36 unaccompanied asylum seeker children. Haringey’s rate of LAC remained significantly above the London (54) and National average (60) although the gap had closed to the statistical neighbour rate of 70.  

• Permanency was secured for 18% of children who ceased to be Looked After. In the year to August 2015 there were 9 adoptions and 7 Special Guardianship Orders.

·         The downward trajectory of the average amount of time taken for children being placed for adoption (438 days). The committee noted significant improvement in performance for this indicator compared to last year. This figure was above national average but was in line with statistical neighbours.

·         Adoption was down 24% this year nationally.

·         79 children were placed 20 miles or more from Haringey at the end of August 2015. This equated to 18.3% against a 16% target but on an improving trajectory.

·         At the end of August, 96% of LAC, in care for over a month, had an up to date health assessment, a sustained improvement which compared favourably with the London average.

·         Following concerted effort, including technical input and data cleansing, 74% of LAC had an up to date Care Plan at mid-September, improved from the position of 49% at the end of May but remaining below the expected level.

·         The average care proceedings duration in 2014/15 was 34 weeks with trends towards a longer duration than the statutory minimum. In quarter 1 this trend had been reversed towards shorter duration and an average duration of 32.4 weeks.

·         There had been a decline (57%) in the number of Personal Education Plans (PEP) being completed since the 71% achieved in July, but the Committee noted that this was partially attributable to the school summer holidays. The Committee noted that advice from the DfE on reporting timescales was that the PEP’s should be held three times a year and that could either be 3 school based meetings or 2 school based meetings with a review in between. It was clarified that at present the figures were based on six-monthly reviews and that the new guidance of 3 reviews per year was implemented as of September. Virtual Schools needed to establish a process for recording any reviews and their inclusion into the performance figures.

Action: Fiona Smith

·         The Committee noted that the social worker was responsible for initiating the PEP and for recording it on the child’s file but when the meetings took place in school the teacher would chair the meeting and record the actions taken. The effect was that it could be difficult to then get the paperwork back from the schools.  Virtual schools to revisit the issue of bringing in electronic PEP’s, Virtual School  ...  view the full minutes text for item 375