Agenda item

(To receive a report from Andrew Morris, Corporate Parenting Manager, which invites the Corporate Parenting Panel to review the progress made against the priorities and actions identified in the Looked After Children & Care Leavers Strategy Action Plan)

Consideration was given to a report from Andrew Morris, Corporate Parenting Manager, which invited the Panel to review the progress made against the priorities and actions identified in the Looked After Children & Care Leavers Strategy Action Plan.

Detailed at Appendix A was a copy of the Looked After Children & Care Leavers Strategy 2018/2021 Priorities, Actions and Progress Action Plan. 

It was noted that the action plan was designed to track the activity to achieve the aspirations set out in the strategy.  It was noted further that this strategy was the first of its kind to be developed on a multi-agency basis; and was supported by Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children's Partnership (LSCP).

During consideration of the action plan, the Panel raised the following issues:-

·         The status of the strategy – The Panel was advised that the strategy would be monitored by the Corporate Parenting Panel and the Quality Assurance Board.  It was highlighted that the purpose of the strategy was to hold the service to account;

·         A question was asked as to whether other agencies were using Signs of Safety.  Confirmation was given that all agencies understood and were using Signs of Safety.  The Panel was advised that the Ofsted Inspection had found that Signs of Safety was well embedded.  It was also noted that Early Help was currently being refreshed to prevent momentum being lost; and to ensure that areas were constantly reviewed;

·         It was highlighted that success needed to be celebrated - It was agreed that there needed to be an area within County Offices to display some of the achievements of Lincolnshire's young people.  It was agreed that the Corporate Parenting Manager would look into this matter further;

·         Clarification was given that young people in an emergency situation were not waiting to be seen, they would be seen by crisis response team;

·         Sharing of information – The Panel was advised that Mosaic was accessed by Social Care, some health services; the leaving care service and adult social care.  It was noted that the aspiration was for all relevant records to be viewed by all involved;

·         Care leavers being exempt from paying council tax until they were 25 years of age.  The Panel was advised that currently care leavers were exempt from paying council tax in all seven districts up to the age of 21; and that negotiations were underway to increase the age to 25.  Dual hatted Councillors advised that they would promote the matter with their respective district councils.  It was highlighted that North Kesteven District Council had already increased the age to 25.  The Scrutiny Officer agreed to provide the Corporate Parenting Manger with a list of dual hatted members;

·         Housing provision for the most challenging young people.  It was highlighted that sometimes this proved to be a challenge as some district councils were not in charge of their housing stock.  It was suggested that more contact needed to be made with local landlords and housing associations.  Some members offered help to the Corporate Parenting Manager in approaching housing associations in their areas.  The Panel noted that all districts had signed up to being Corporate Parents; and were aware of the need to continually promote the need of care leavers;

·         Vulnerability of care leavers and Looked After Children who were often influenced by outside pressures.  The Panel was advised that there was the Joint Diversionary Panel, which recognised the vulnerability of young people and provided diversionary routes to avoid young people entering the criminal justice system;

·         One member enquired as to when the amber indicators would become green.  Officers advised that work was on-going and that when the Panel considered the item next, some progress would have been made.

In conclusion, the Panel welcomed the report and requested that a further review of the action plan should be undertaken in 12 months' time.

RESOLVED

1.    That a further report on the Looked After Children and Care Leaver Strategy Action Plan be presented to the Panel in 12 months' time.

2.    That the Corporate Parenting Manager be authorised to look into finding a 'Celebration Wall' to display information relating to the achievements of Looked After Children and Care Leavers.