Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Allison and Watson. Cllrs Hare, Peacock and Weber were in attendance.

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 06 December 2011.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 December 2011 were agreed as an accurate record and signed by the Chair.

The Committee considered the matters arising report and received updates as appropriate:

·      North London Fostering Consortium update: joint working continued between the five boroughs of the consortium including assessing the impact and costs associated with the new approach of sharing foster carers. Other profile raising initiatives were underway including the running of coffee morning information sessions and targetted work with the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community.

·      Outcomes analysis of fostering week activities: clarification was required from Cllr Allison on her outstanding query on the information provided.

·      NLSA procurement specialist: the successful candidate would shortly be starting in post. A report on the work on category management costs would be scheduled for Committee consideration in due course.

·      Framework-i: the Committee noted the update provided on arrangements for staff at the two children’s homes in the borough to have read only access to pertinent information on the system.

·      Disruption to Reg 33 visit: further details were provided and noted by the Committee on the situation that had occurred during a Reg 33 visit to one of the children’s homes in October and had resulted in the visit being cut short.    

To consider key performance data concerning looked after children as at the end of December 2011.

The Committee received a streamlined, high level summary report setting out performance information relating to Looked After Children (LAC). Key headlines included an increase in the percentage of social worker posts becoming permanently filled and the continued downwards trajectory in the number of LACs. The cost of service per LAC however remained high and above target. The new category manager post would play a key role in trying to manage these costs down and also to benchmark data with comparator authorities.

It was advised that the number of LAC who ceased to be looked after who had been looked after for less than a month remained under frequent review by senior managers. It was agreed that a report be provided to the next meeting providing further details on this cohort of young people including information such as age, reasons for becoming looked after etc.

The Committee also requested a report back on the stability of LAC placements based on length of placement. 

RESOLVED

·      That the report be noted.

To consider the  OFSTED inspection report on the Adoption service and the service improvement plan.

The Committee considered the adoption service improvement plan developed following an Ofsted inspection in July which had rated the service as satisfactory. The plan encompassed not just the actions identified by the inspectors but was aspirational in setting out the improvements required for the service to transition to an excellent classification. The improvement plans for both the fostering and the adoption services would become part of the wider strategic improvement plan being developed for the whole of the Children’s Services directorate to reflect the shift to a whole service approach for LACs. It was agreed that the LAC element of the service improvement plan would be submitted to a future Committee meeting for consideration. Assurances were provided that the performance of the adoption service and implementation of the action plan would continue to be reported to the Committee on a regular basis.

The impact of national policy drivers in relation to adoption were discussed and it was requested that a summary be produced to provide a context to the planned future consideration of the Permanency Strategy by the Committee.

The Committee queried the reference in the inspection report of the need to ensure staff recruitment procedures were more robust to ensure suitability to work with children and service users. It was explained that this had arisen from a one off incident where a small step in the recruitment process for a staff member had unfortunately not been fully recorded.

RESOLVED

·      That the report be noted.

Haringey Fostering Service was inspected on August 2011. This action plan addresses the recommendations following the inspection and forms the basis for  improvements if the service is to move from its current ‘satisfactory’ rating to one of at least ‘good’.

The Committee considered the fostering service improvement plan developed following an Ofsted inspection in August which had rated the service as satisfactory. The improvement plan aimed to move the service to at least a good rating and would become part of the Children’s Service strategic improvement plan.

Confirmation was provided that action outlined in relation to preparing and implementing a written procedure to be followed in the event of any allegation of abuse or neglect and for written records to be kept had already been completed and therefore no additional action was required.

RESOLVED

·      That the report be noted.

The report will provide information on the various options for the future of the residential provision for Looked after Children directly by the Council. Report to follow

The Committee considered a report setting out options for the future of the borough’s two children’s homes following a review of internal provision in light of ongoing concerns on value for money and the outcomes achieved for young people. A regular pattern of underoccupancy had prevailed despite expanding the remit of one of the homes, and had resulted in costs in excess of those seen in comparable homes. A number of options had been considered for the future of the homes but the report to be submitted for Cabinet in February would seek in principle approval for the closure of both homes pending the results of an Equalities Impact Assessment and consultation with relevant persons.

Both staff groups had been advised of the recommendation to close the homes and meetings had been scheduled with the young people in both homes later in the week to discuss the options being considered and provide reassurance on how any changes would be managed and the impact on individual future care plans. Barnados would be running an additional session with the young people to address any other issues arising. Meetings would also be scheduled with respective parents, schools, social workers and social worker managers.   

Assurances were provided that should the homes be closed, sufficient alterative provision was available, which additionally provided more flexibility in ensuring the best placements were obtained according to individual need. The Committee received a tabled paper setting out the current position of the individual children currently living at the two homes and provisional future plans in place for them. Confirmation was provided that in line with their care plans and irrespective of whether the homes closed or not, none of the current occupants were expected to still be in the homes by July when it was recommended the homes be closed. Assurances were also provided that any private children home placements used in the borough in the future would be required to have a rating of good or outstanding. 

In response to a query, it was confirmed that the legal status of both sites had been checked and neither had restrictive covenants attached. It was requested that should the recommendation to close the homes be approved, that consideration be given to alternative uses for the sites as well as disposal, for example potential suitability for a mother and baby unit.

The Committee asked for a future report on semi-supported housing options including pilots being run with Homes for Haringey and Community Housing.

Following discussions, it was agreed that where possible the same Reg 33 inspectors continue to undertake scheduled visits to provide assurances on continuity of care over any transition period.

The Committee asked that their thanks be placed on record for the work of staff to progress this difficult piece of work.

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting for consideration of items 11-13 as they contain exempt information as defined in Section 100a of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended by Section 12A of the Local Government Act 1985): paras 1 & 2 and 3: namely information relating to any individual, and information likely to reveal the identity of an individual Also Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

To consider  exempt information  concerning the options for the future of residential provision provided for Looked After Children  directly  by  the Council. Report to follow

The Committee noted the names of the two children’s homes referred to in item 9.

 To consider exempt information relating to  Fostering recruitment activities.

The Committee considered details of the Change a life foster campaign as part of the fostering service improvement plan, including the objectives, marketing activity plan and action taken to date to increase the number of registered and approved foster carers. It was confirmed that the impact of the campaign would be evaluated at the end of the year.

RESOLVED

·      That the report be noted.

The Committee will  receive details of Regulation 33 inspections made to Haringey’s residential homes.

The Committee considered a summary report on the Regulation 33 visits undertaken at the two children’s homes in the borough in November and December and subsequent recommendations. It was advised that changes were being made to the staff undertaking the visits requiring a training session on 16 February. The Committee questioned the imperative for this training in light of the uncertainty around the future of the homes.

Confirmation was provided that plans for installing a new kitchen in one of the homes had been placed on hold pending decision on the future of the homes.

RESOLVED

·      That the report be noted.

Date of next meeting is the 19^th March 2012 6.30pm

 The next Joint meeting with the Children’s Safeguarding Policy and Practice  Committee  is on the  05  March 2012 at 7.00pm.

The Chair advised she was unable to attend the proposed joint meeting with the Children’s Safeguarding Policy and Practice Committee on 5 March and that consideration be given to rescheduling the date.

A report would be taken to a future meeting on proposals from the Children in Care Council on future interaction with the Committee.