Issue - meetings

The report will provide an update to Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee on the current cohort of disabled Looked After Children.

RECEIVED the Disabled LAC report that was requested following the Committee’s request for an update on what the issues and challenges were in relation to disabled Looked After Children. The report was included in the agenda pack (pages 19 to 26).  

NOTED that

• There were currently 22 children looked after by Haringey allocated in the Disabled Children’s Team.

• Foster carers who were considering the option of applying for SGO status had not pursued the option due to a concern that the support identified in the SGO plan, would not be sufficient to meet their needs compared to the allowance they receive through their fostering allowance. Children’s Service Manager advised that the maximum allowance for Special Guardianship was £185 per week which was about half of the allowance for a foster carer. The levels of support and guidance were also significantly lower for special guardianship.

• One third of the Disabled Children’s Team’s LAC were placed over 20 miles from Haringey, with 4 of the 7 children placed in residential homes or schools.

• An issue was identified in that children were travelling some distances from their residential home in order to maintain their placement in the local special school. The Director of Children’s Services identified that some children had two-hour journeys to school. The Committee noted that the type of disability could have a limiting effect on the type of educational establishment available. Officers advised that parents could be reluctant to push children into public transport or to alter a settled routine. The Head of Integrated Service was looking into how to address the issues raised around transport. The Head of Integrated Service to report to the Committee on the reasons behind why those children were being transported a long distance.

Action: Vicki Monk-Meyer

• The Committee welcomed the report and commented that they found having information on disabled Looked After Children constructive.

• In response to a question on how may of the 31 foster carers recruited through the banner campaign were able to foster a disabled child, the Children’s Service Manager advised that there was one.

AGREED to note the report.