To consider and question the Cabinet Member for Children and Families on key issues arising from Corporate Priority 1 – Best Start in Life and, in particular;
· Finance issues;
· Looked After Children; and
· Plans for Children’s Centres.
Minutes:
Councillor Waters, the Cabinet Member for Children and Families, reported that there was still an overspend within Children and Young People’s services. This was, to a large extent, demand led. Savings were now being made and there was now a better grip on expenditure. There would still be an overspend at the end of the year but it would be lower than previously anticipated. The service was still spending less than the amount that was in the budget for last year. The anticipated overspend would be £5 million without management action. The action that was being taken would reduce this to £4 million. There were 439 Looked After Children (LAC) at the moment, which was the lowest number since 2011. This compared with a number of 514 at the end of last year.
Jon Abbey, the Director of Children’s Services reported that the cost of provision for LAC varied depending on the requirements of individual children. Moving young people out of placements could not be done without proper planning and all cases were gone through thoroughly with a very clear plan developed for each of them. Haringey had challenging demographics and OFSTED would challenge the local authority if budgetary levels were deemed unsafe. It was not currently possible to recruit permanent staff for the First Response team and agency staff made up 10% of the workforce at the moment.
Neelam Bhardwaja, Assistant Director for Children’s Services (Safeguarding and Support), reported that these were common issues across local authorities. The overall reduction in the number of LAC was very positive. In particular, some young people were being adopted whilst a number had turned 18. Although there were lower numbers, there were still significant costs associated with LAC. There were a number of ways that young people were referred to them and these were often not possible to control.
Mr Abbey commented that the overall overspend this year was lower than last year and the service had better control over the number of LAC. They were nevertheless challenged by reduced financial resources and high levels of demand. The budget had been £112 million 4 years ago and was £50 million now. The pressures on the service were caused by demand compounded by austerity.
In answer to a question, the Cabinet Member reported that it was too early for interventions by the new Early Help service to have made an impact on the numbers of LAC.
A Panel Member commented that there needed to be a balanced approach to risk. It was preferable to have an overspend than compromise on quality and safety.
In answer to a question, the Cabinet Member stated that permanence was the best outcome for children and young people. Outcomes for LAC were not as good as for other children and young people. 90% of LAC went back to their family of origin and the service tried to support young people in families and communities. The quality of staff was very important and continuity with social workers assisted with this process.
In respect of Children’s Centres, the Cabinet Member reported that the Cabinet report on this issue had set out the impact of the proposed closures. The Centres had provided access to individuals who were able to refer them onto a range of services. This might become more difficult following the closures but there had been a focus on ensuring that access was maintained in developing the new model.
A lot of consultation had been undertaken, including some that had taken place prior to statutory consultation. There had been 480 responses by e-mail to the consultation. No one had wanted the closures. It had been clear from responses to the consultation that there was a lack of understanding of community access points. Many of the former Children’s Centres would be used by schools and work was being done to develop this. As a result of the changes, there would no longer be a Children’s Centre in the west of the borough but work would nevertheless be undertaken to commission one. Expressions of interest for this would be invited. There was a minimum service offer that included Health Visiting.
It was noted that the saving that would be made from the closures was £1.4 million of a pre-reduction budget of £4.145 million. The Cabinet Member commented that the closures were as a direct result of the cuts and that they would not have taken place otherwise. There were no plans to re-open centres that had been closed for the time being. The closures would take effect from the end of the current financial year. Discussions were taking place with trade unions, staff and governing bodies about the implementation.
Panel Members requested assurances that each case would be reviewed. It was noted that individual cases would be moved rather than closed. Jon Abbey, the Director of Children’s Services, reported risks arising from the closures were being managed through the Early Help service. Each case required a detailed review and discussion about how support could now be provided.
AGREED:
1. That the Panel be provided with statistics on the number of young people currently on the child protection register, how many were under the age of 5, how many were under the age of 1 and which wards they came from;
2. That comparative information on outcomes elsewhere for LAC be shared with the Panel;
3. That, in respect of Children’s Centres:
(a). The Panel be provided with details of the cost of the proposed closures;
(b). An update on progress with the proposed closures be provided by the Cabinet Member to the March meeting of the Panel; and
(c). A full report be made to the Panel in a years time on the impact of the closures.