Agenda item

The purpose of this paper is to update the Early Years, Children and Youth Panel on the progress and developments for "Looked After" young people in Bath and North-East Somerset.

The Divisional Director for Children & Young People Specialist Services introduced this item to the Panel. He informed them that at the end of Quarter two there were 141 young people in the care of Bath and North-East Somerset. He said that this was a reduction of 14 young people who were in care at the end of the previous quarter and again broadly in line with the numbers of young people that have been in our care over the past two years.

He said that this figure puts us significantly below the national average figure and also slightly below the figure for our comparator cohort of Local Authorities.  He added that these figures are calculated by a "per 10,000" calculation, which show that B&NES is currently at 41.4 children in care per 10,000 of the population, compared to the national figure of 60 and the statistical neighbor comparator figure of 42.6 per 10,000 of population.

He stated that we have also made good progress in ensuring that when young people have to come into care we are able to provide a good level of stability for them.

He explained that we have continued to develop the ‘In Care Council” following the re-tendering of the contracts to deliver these. He said that the contract is currently undertaken by “Off The Record” who work with both the “Junior In Care Council” (7-11yrs) and the Senior group (11-18yrs). Both of these groups have increased their membership and offer a range of activities and opportunities for the young people that attend.

He informed the Panel that in line with the Government’s move to extend the upper age limit that young people can remain in foster-care we have continued to develop the scope of our “Staying Put” programme for young people that which to remain with their foster-carers up until the age of 21 years.

He said that one of the key measures of the quality of work and support to Care Leavers is the measure of former Care Leavers who are in employment, education and training (EET). At the end of 13/14 we had a figure of 78% former care-leavers in EET, compared with our statistical neighbours average of 59.6%, and the national figure of 58%.

Councillor Loraine Morgan-Brinkhurst asked how many children had moved out of B&NES.

The Divisional Director for Children & Young People Specialist Services replied that around 50% had moved out of B&NES, but that 80 – 90% were within a 20 mile radius.

Councillor Loraine Morgan-Brinkhurst asked if siblings were kept together.

The Divisional Director for Children & Young People Specialist Services replied that it was very rare to need to separate siblings.

Councillor Liz Hardman commented that she was pleased to see the work of the In Care Council recognised. She asked if there were any plans to increase the parameters of Staying Put to 25 years old.

The Divisional Director for Children & Young People Specialist Services replied that the Council has a duty to provide support whilst the young person / adult were in education.

Edward Joseph commented that the young people he had met through the In Care Council were always happy, but that he was concerned as to whether enough children and young people were using the services available through the In Care Council. He asked if the Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children & Youth would visit the In Care Council.

Councillor Liz Hardman commented that she felt that the In Care Council representatives did visit and represent other Looked After Children. She added that she believed that many of them were involved in activities.

Councillor Loraine Morgan-Brinkhurst asked if transport was available to those young people outside of B&NES to attend the In Care Council.

The Divisional Director for Children & Young People Specialist Services replied that a taxi service was available.

Councillor Michael Evans asked if the Council found it easy to find foster carers.

The Divisional Director for Children & Young People Specialist Services replied that he felt that the Council do better than most authorities in that respect.

Councillor Loraine Morgan-Brinkhurst commented that she was very proud of the Council for their work on this matter.

The Chair commented on the need to raise the profile of Corporate Parenting into the next Council following the local elections.