Agenda item

[To receive the Performance Monitoring Information Report.]

Alison Hinds, Deputy Director of Social Care presented the Performance Monitoring Information and highlighted salient points. The report provided an update on service performance as at 31 December 2021 and questions were invited.

The number entering care had stabilised since November and there was a positive performance to report in terms of placement stability. It was confirmed that a breakdown of how many children were in each placement type was included in the Placement Analysis section of the report

It was noted that an improved performance had been seen in children receiving up to date assessments and reviews as well as a high level of young people participating in their reviews.

A high level had been seen in years 12 and 13 and Early Years PEPs completion however a slight dip had been seen in school age children which had affected the averages.

Health assessments were returning to pre-COVID levels along with improvements seen following the review of the reporting system. Dental checks were now at 80% also returning to pre-COVID levels.

Adoption orders had increased which had been expected as previously delayed cases moved through court. Improvements had also been seen in terms of timeliness.

Care leavers had performed well in education, employment and training despite the challenges presented by the pandemic. Those in suitable accommodation had also improved on last year.

It was confirmed a typographical error had been spotted in relation to the year the data referred to.

A query was raised around whether the number of adoptions was expected to rise as matches began to be made and delayed cases moved through the courts. Assurances were offered that children continued to be adopted and placed throughout the pandemic and the low figures seen last year was as a result of court delays.

A query was raised around unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) arriving within the City and if this had had an impact on children’s services. It was confirmed a small number of young people arrived through the hotel in the City. It was reported that the majority of these arrived with their families via the planned National Transfer Scheme, although occasionally there were spontaneous arrivals which accounted for some of the UASC.

It was noted that families arriving together were supported as a family unit with provision of food and essential items, although safeguarding was also in place as appropriate; only those that were UASC would be involved with the care service. There had been a very small number of young people disputing their age. It was confirmed that there had been more UASC than in previous years as a result of the recent events. Close work was being undertaken in partnership with SERCO to support families.

A query was raised around how the service supported children who wait longer as there were concerns on the impact to their emotional wellbeing whilst awaiting placement. Close work was being undertaken with Adoption@Heart and it was noted that the Adoption Interim Report scheduled for the March meeting would provide much more involved detail on the support offered to this cohort.

It was confirmed that every effort was made to secure a suitable and stable placement for each child using matching processes for plans of fostering or adoptions. Figures were not immediately available however it was agreed that the number of children who wait longer would be included in the Adoption Interim Report for the next meeting.

The Chair also referenced the Children’s Residential Provision Review report that was due to be considered by Scrutiny Board on 2 February 2022 that may be of interest

Resolved:

1. That the Performance Monitoring Information report be received.
2. That the number of children who wait longer would be included in the Adoption Interim Report for the next meeting.