SUMMARY
1.
The purpose of this report is to respond to the
Committee’s request to Cabinet for further information on Looked After
Children.
ACTION
REQUIRED
2.
The Audit and Performance Committee is asked to
comment on this report and identify which information they would feel is
relevant to have regular update reports during this financial year.
BACKGROUND
3.
The number of
looked after children has increased from 166 in 2003 to a current all time high
of 195. A rise of 17%.
4.
Although
there are fewer children and young people entering the system (53 this year in
contrast to 79 last year), there are also fewer children and young people
leaving the care system, which is causing the build up of numbers.
5.
There has
also been a significant increase in the number of children and young people
entering the system on Interim Care Orders rather than through voluntary agreements
with parents (an 85% increase over a 5 year period).
6.
The pool of
foster carers during this period has only increased in real terms by four,
because although there were 22 new carers registered, there have also been 18
deregistered. There has additionally
been an increase of family and friends carers from 29 to 35.
Impact on Key Performance Indicators
7.
Clearly there
is a changing profile of our LAC population, which is not just reflected in
terms of numerical data, but also there is evidence of more complex and diverse
needs. This is understandably impacting
on our performance overall.
8.
The
percentage of children with three or more placements during the year is
currently at 15.98%, this is slightly worse than last year’s performance, which
stood at 15%, but because of the way this indicator is banded it may mean going
from 5 ‘blobs’ which is the top band to ‘2 blobs’ (see explanation note at end
of the report).
9.
The health of
our LAC is measured by a combination of those who had an annual health assessment,
and also had their teeth checked by a dentist.
This is also slightly worse than last year when our performance was 82%
and in the top band. We are predicting
that at the end of this financial year, it is likely to be about 78%, which
means moving from the top banding of 5 ‘blobs’ to 4 ‘blobs’. Our current data suggests that this is
predominantly linked to the dental checks and clearly correlates with the
concerns around NHS dentist availability.
10.
The number of
children adopted has been very low this year (2) and will also mean that we
drop from 2 ‘blobs’ to 1 ‘blob’. There
are a number of reasons for this including court delays, capacity of workers,
as well as the statistical argument of low numbers disproportionately affecting
outturns.
11.
Although we
are predicting that our performance for LAC offending will stay within the same
banding (i.e. 2 ‘blobs’), there is evidence of it improving. Last year 17 out of 95 young people were
given a final warning/reprimand or convicted.
This year to date it is 14 out of 95.
12.
The
timeliness of reviews was disappointing and, along with four local authorities
in our comparator group, we were in the lowest banding. The definition for this indicator changed
and we suspect there is differential interpretation of it. However, we also recognise that it is
delays in setting up the 1st statutory review that is impacting on our
performance. Due to the increased
demand, and no increase in resources, this has been unavoidable.
13.
Our
performance for care leavers involved in education, employment and training
last year was in the top banding. We
are predicting a similarly positive outturn this year. We were 4th in our comparator group last
year.
14.
Our average
gross weekly expenditure per looked after child was also good, in the 2nd top
banding out of 5.
15.
Participation
of looked after children in their reviews was also in the top banding last year
and we are expecting this to remain in the top banding for this year. We are joint second in our comparator group.
Summary
The indicators reflect a mixed picture of
performance generally but we are continuously seeking the views of young
people, through their reviews to find out and implement service changes.
Explanation of grading
The Department of Health have identified 5 performance bands, although not all bands are used for all indicators. For example the placement moves indicator only uses 5, 2 and 1 blob status.
n 1 blob = investigate urgently
n n 2 blobs = ask questions about performance
n n n 3 blobs = acceptable but possible room for improvements
n n n n 4 blobs = good
n n n n n 5 blobs = very good
Contact Point:
Steve Beynon, ( 823639; email: [email protected]
STEVE BEYNON
Director of Children’s Services