Agenda item

This report will outline the effectiveness of the Local Authority in meeting their safeguarding responsibilities and progress of children in care and care leavers.

The Service Manager for Care Outcomes introduced this report to the Panel, a summary is set out below.

The Pledge

•  Your Social Worker:

•  All children in care have an allocated social worker and rates of stability are good.

•  Timescales for visits to children in care are good

•  How we make decisions: 

•  Participation of children in care in decision making is a priority for the Local Authority

•  The prevalence of children participating in their Children in Care reviews is high at 93

•  Young Ambassadors recruited to help shape Children’s Care Services across Bath and North East Somerset, ensuring the voices of children and young people are heard.

•  Where you live:

•  In 19/20 69% of children were placed outside of the Local Authority boundary, or at a distance of at least 20 miles away from their family home – issues of sufficiency (B&NES & nationally). 

•  Use of 16+ accommodation and support in B&NES – with rigorous oversight and appropriate risk management plans.

•  Stability rates of placements are consistently good in B&NES

•  Your Education:

•  Termly Personal Education Plan (PEP) meetings to support educational outcomes.

•  Currently 94% of our statutory age children attend Good or Outstanding provisions.

•  Your identity:

•   All children in care have a Care Plan which focuses on identity needs, including religious and cultural needs, as well as individual talents, interests and hobbies.

•  Life story work is key and further developments in place

•  Leaving care and Moving On: 

•  B&NES has high rates of keeping in touch with care leavers, consistently between 97-99%. 

•  88% of our care leavers have a Pathway Plan in place which is reviewed every 6 months. 

•  All care leavers up to 21 years have an allocated Personal Advisor (PA) that supports then in all areas of life, including housing, finances, education, employment and training, health (including mental and emotional health).

•  For care leavers over the age of 21 years, we will continue to support them in line with their wishes and feelings – Extended Duties. 

•  Numbers of children Staying Put with their foster carers after 18 years are good in B&NES

•  96% of young people have suitable living arrangements

Impact of Covid-19

•  Education provision has been disrupted

•  Some aspects of health services such as dentistry and eye tests have been delayed or unavailable

•  Significant impact on care leavers relating to Further Education, employment & training opportunities

•  B&NES & partner agencies have continued to provide good services to children in care. 

•  We have continued to visit children in their placements, where it is safe to do so

•  Health assessments have continued during this previous year, albeit virtually. 

•  The Virtual School have supported children who are both in school, and those in placement being home schooled. In more recent weeks they have worked to assist children returning back to school.

•  Significant support has been provided to foster carers to ensure that they are well supported to enable them to continue to care for the children in their care. 

Further developments

•  Children’s Transformation Programme:

•   

•  Education, employment & training

•  Placement sufficiency: Foster carer recruitment and retention & South West Sufficiency Project

•  Fostering Families

•  Reunification Service

•  Transitions

The Chairman asked the following two questions on behalf of Councillor Liz Hardman.

Referring to page 59 paragraph 3.41 she asked how can we reconcile the high rates of keeping in touch and the high number of those with a pathway plan, with the lower numbers in Education, Employment & Training (EET).

The Service Manager for Care Outcomes replied that for some children with whom we are consistently in touch with and who have a Pathway Plan, they may also have additional needs which lead to EET, ie mental health needs, accommodation, impact of Covid-19 on job opportunities. She added that for these children, the PA support and Pathway Plan will focus significantly on EET, alongside other needs.

Referring to page 62 paragraph 3.60c she asked how many of our 181 children in fostering placements are in the independent sector. She also asked what is it that the independent sector is able to offer to attract foster carers that we are not.

The Service Manager for Care Outcomes replied that 59 children are placed with Independent Fostering Agency carers. She said that there were a range of reasons but mainly; personal choice and recommendation, and/or allowance rates.  She added that one area of work within the Children’s Transformation Project is further reviewing our foster carer service.

Councillor Paul May asked how local employers can support the progress of Care Leavers.

The Service Manager for Care Outcomes replied that good links have been established with the RUH and the Chocolate Quarter in terms of Work Days / Apprenticeships.

Kevin Burnett referred to page 60, 3.48 and asked if the application of the risk assessment tool, timeliness and review of pathway plans was now fully embedded.

The Service Manager for Care Outcomes replied that this was still ongoing as it was interconnected with other work areas.

Kevin Burnett asked if an information pack was now available for new Looked After Children.

The Service Manager for Care Outcomes replied that there was and that it was launched in June 2021.

Councillor Andy Wait suggested that this report be seen by Full Council.

The Chairman said that he would discuss that proposal with officers.

The Panel RESOLVED to:

i)  Note the progress made to date in these duties

ii)  Note that this work will continue to be a priority within the Local Authority