Issue - meetings

RECEIVED the report on Performance for the Year to the end of November 2016. Report included in the agenda pack (pages 15 to 20). 

NOTED in response to discussion:

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

• 438 children were in careon the last day of November 2016 or 74 per 10,000 population including 39 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 - 31 more children in care. However a reduction in Haringey’s rate of looked after children in 2015/16 placed Haringey 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 (51) and national average (60) rates.

• At the end of November, 91% of looked after children had an up to date Care Plan. Performance in this area had 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 November, 84% of looked after children aged 16-17 had up to date Pathway Plans. Performance in this area improved slightly since the reported position in August 2016 (82%) and was closing the gap with the 90% target.

• A similar improvement trend on Personal Education Plans was reported although current performance had declined since the August school holidays.  81% of school age looked after children had an up to date PEP as at the end of November. This area continued to be a priority for performance tracking.

• At the end of March 2016, there were 35 pupils in Year 11 who were looked after continuously for 12 months or more. Of these, 13 (37%) attained 5 GCSEs A*-C incl. English & Maths – a significant increase compared to 28% in 2015.

• Indicators around stability of placements for looked after children remain in line with statistical neighbours and targets. In the year to November 2016, 9% of children had three or more placement moves , below the statistical neighbour average (10%). 75% 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%).

• At the end of November, 95% of children in care for over a month had an up to date health assessment, above target and continuing the positive trend.

• Data for the period July to September 2016 confirmed that the average duration of care proceedings for concluded cases was 32.5 weeks, an improvement from the 37 weeks in Q1 and better than the 2015/16 average (34 weeks). Q2 data for 2016-17 showed 44% were concluded under the 26 week statutory timescale.

• The outcomes for 36% of care proceeding cases issued between July and September 2016 was for children to remain with or reunify with their parents compared to 54% of children  ...  view the full minutes text for item 455