The Assistant Director of Children Services presented the report and highlighted the following points:

·       291 Looked after Children, 260 in aftercare.

·       Numbers remain stable and good compared to statistical neighbour.

·       Spike in June and July due to UAAC

·       9%-11% have a disability, figure is stable.

·       Missing episodes are reducing and looking to reduce still.

·       Initial Assessments remain area of improvement and focus. Task and Finish group looking into improvements.

·       All children placed within a 20 miles radius.

·       Majority of care levers keep in touch; contact should be led by the care leavers.

Members raised the following points and asked the following questions:

·       Councillor Cecil if family have good relationship with GP why can’t that GP do the health assessment.

o   Sharron Hall – Statutory that it has to be a paediatrician.

·       Councillor Hartstean asked where UASC are placed.

o   Range of options and factors, it includes age. If under 16 then Foster Carers, if over 16 then supported accommodation depending on needs and skills of the young person. Case by case

·       Councillor Hartstean asked what the youngest UASC is.

o   Youngest are age 14 years old, 8 young people under 16.

·       Councillor Carter noted that 14 is a young age and wanted to know entry age and the level of care given.

o   One just turned 14 and another who is 14,

o   Support from virtual school and health needs are met, they have been registered with a GP.

o   They have the same rights as any other children.

o   Good outcome with education

·       Councillor Hartstean noted 52% of care leavers go into further education and that it was lower than the statical neighbour.

o   Seeing some improvement and working to raise the number.

·       Councillor Carter noted a gain and consistent improvements over time but was disappointed with low number in further.

o   The Local Authority want as many in employment, training or further education as possible.

o   Keeley Pullen noted that a young person may not always be ready for education right away. Can give home tuition and work to overcome initial barriers.

·       Councillor Ononaji complemented the service and asked if the good rating was Ofsted graded or internally.

o   Benchmark and compared against statistical neighbours.

o   Data looked at regularly and questioned and improve.

·       Councillor Ononaji asked what challenges with Initial Health Assessments

o   Challenges with shortage of paediatricians, it is a national issue.

o   Sharron Hall paper on IHA and is wating for response and funding.

·       Councillor Ononaji is there a requirement drive to hire more paediatricians.

·       Councillor Carter asked where the IHA report will be heard at

o   ICB possesses would not go through the Local Authority’s Overview and Scrutiny functions.

·       Councillor Cecil asked how funding is arranged for UASC in schools.

o   Funding would be directed to them.

o   Needs need to be met by all children.

o   Support maybe needed for dialect or language.

The Chair thanks those who answered and drafted report and read the recommendation.

RESLOVED:

1.1           That members note improvements in Children’s Social Care and note the work that is undertaken to ensure good and improving performance.

1.2           Members scrutinise the performance data and provide challenge to the service as required on how, as corporate parents we provide appropriate services, keep children and young people safe and promote good outcomes.