Agenda item

Looked After Children Performance Measures Quarter 4

(To receive a report from Janice Spencer OBE, Interim Director of Children's Services, which invites the Corporate Parenting Panel to consider and comment on the Looked After Children Performance Measures for Quarter 4)

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report from Caroline Jackson, Commissioning Manager – Performance Services, which provided key performance information for Quarter 4 2018/19 relevant to the work of the Corporate Parenting Panel.

 

Attached at Appendix A to the report was the Looked After Children measures.

 

The Interim Director – Children's Services presented the report and guided the Committee through Appendix A, making specific reference to the performance indicators that had not been achieved, which were:

 

·         Fostering/adoption of Looked After Children (LAC) aged 10 to 16 years old – The Panel was advised that performance had improved slightly at year end, but remained under target.  The Panel noted that the vast majority of children looked after within this age group were placed in foster care settings.  However, it was highlighted that there had been an increase in the number of children placed in residential care; and there had also been a concentrated focus on reuniting children with their birth families, and that some of this group were awaiting revocation of their care orders.  The Panel was advised that officers were satisfied with the actions being undertaken;

·         Stability of Placements of LAC: Number of moves – The Panel noted that the reduction in performance was indicative of children with more complex needs becoming looked after; and that there had been a reduction in the number of foster placements available to match effectively at the point of the initial placement;

·         Stability of Placement of LAC: length of placement – It was reported that a considerable amount of work had been done to ensure that foster carers were well supported and that any potential problems were identified early.  It was noted that the national and local shortage of foster carers who wanted to care on a long term basis was also a contributing factor.  It was felt that this indicator needed refreshing; and

·         Care leavers in Education, Employment and Training – The Panel noted that there had been a small dip in the number of care leavers employed or in education and training.  The reason for the dip at this stage was unknown.  It was highlighted that the Care Leaver Apprenticeship Scheme was being reviewed, so that it could respond to the increased educational requirement implemented by the government to access apprenticeships.  It was hoped that a new offer would help young people with fewer qualifications access the Care Leaver Apprenticeship Scheme.

 

Some concern was raised regarding whether there was any scope in setting a higher performance target for English and Maths.  The Panel was advised that the target set was aspirational, and that the challenge was dependent on where the cohort of young people were in the learning cycle.  It was noted that Caring to Learn was helping young people identify their skills and interests.  It was noted further that the pupil premium was being used to build on an interest or out of school activity.  It was highlighted that PEPS provided an aspirational range of options; the challenge was getting the young person to gain a passion for learning in the first instance which then helped with the overall emotional wellbeing.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the Looked After Children Performance Measures for Quarter 4 be received.

Supporting documents:

 

 
 
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