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.

Sarah Alexander introduced this report to the Committee and highlighted the following:

• The proportion of fostered children in Haringey Council's provision had increased to 41% from 36% in the previous quarter.
• The number of looked-after children had generally remained at the same level.
• The percentage of up-to-date dental checks for looked-after children was increasing. As part of LAC reviews, social workers were encouraged to question when dental check had last taken place.
• There had been a slight increase in the caseload of certain teams within the service. This was being monitored to ensure caseloads remained at a manageable level.

The Committee queried the performance of Pathway plans (a plan to provide for a young person’s road to independence, detailing a range of issues such as their health, goals and ambitions), noting the target of 90% was being underachieved by 10%. Officers informed they were closely monitoring this but highlighted there were challenges such as where those on Pathway plans were in prison, which created difficulties in meeting with them in a timely manner. Management were tracking Pathway plans every two weeks. 

The Committee was informed that 14 care leavers, who were unaccompanied asylum seeking children, were missing. Officers confirmed they checked in with the police and Home Office every 3 months for potential updates but acknowledged they could have been removed or deported without their knowing as the Home Office was not obliged to inform the CYPS if this had been the case.

Regarding paragraph 2.4 of the report, Officers clarified that children could cease to be looked after by discharging themselves from care between 16 and 18, but they are dissuaded from doing so.