Issue - meetings

The Chair advised that she recently attended a London Councils meeting with other Lead Members for Children’s Services from across London. Colleagues advised that during recent inspection visits Ofsted were keen to speak to members of corporate parenting committees to ensure that the arrangements around corporate parenting were robust and that members were engaged. The Chair emphasised that the she wanted the Committee to be able to demonstrate its engagement if asked by Ofsted and so would be maintaining performance as a standing item on future agendas.

RECEIVED the report on Performance for the Year to the end of August 2016. Report included in the agenda pack (pages 13 to 18). 

NOTED in response to discussion:

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

• 430 children were in careon the last day of August 2016 or 72 per 10,000 population including 32 unaccompanied asylum seeker children. There had been a gradual increase in the level of children in care in comparison to the position at the end of March 2016 - 23 more children in care. However reduction in Haringey’s rate of looked after children in 2015/16 placed LBH within the inter-quartile range of our statistical neighbours (a rate of 69 per 10,000 population), although the current rate remained above the London (52) and national average (60) rates.

• At the end of August, 91% of looked after children had an up to date Care Plan. Performance in this area consistently remained above target since February 2016 as a result of activity tracking in weekly meetings held by the Head of Service for Children in Care.

• At the end of August, 82% of looked after children aged 16-17 had up to date Pathway Plans. Performance in this area dipped slightly since June 2016 where 96% of pathway plans were up to date however completion of pathway plans was much higher than that reported at the same period last year. Although performance remained short of the 90% target, it was hoped that with further effort from the 16+ children in care team, the 90% target would be achieved.

• Performance of PEPs was slightly short of the target (87% up to date at the end of August). This area continued to be a priority of performance tracking.

• 40% of LAC achieved 5 A*-C grades at GSCE including English Literature and Maths. The Committee was informed that no local authority had ever achieved over 38% in previous years. The Committee passed on their congratulations to the Virtual Schools and all of the others involved.

• Indicators around stability of placements for looked after children remained in line with statistical neighbours and targets. In the year to August 2016, 9% of children had three or more placement moves, below the statistical neighbour average (10%). 76% of children under 16 who had been in care for at least 2.5 years had been in the same placement for at least 2 years, slightly above our statistical neighbour average (67%).

• 91% of Children in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 436