Agenda item

[To consider the Annual Report of the Looked After Chiildren (LAC) Transitions Team]

Sharon Green presented the LAC Transitions Team’s Annual Report 2013/14 which detailed an overview of the team’s activities for the year together with a commentary of performance and plans for the future.

Cllr Paula Brookfield referred to the number of “missing children”. Emma Bennett explained the difference between “missing children” and those care leavers who were no longer in contact with the local authority. Sharon Green advised that some care leavers specifically requested no further contact with the local authority once they had left care but in other cases where contact had been lost, Personal Advisers would continue to attempt to re-establish contact approximately every six months. Emma Bennett also outlined the role of the Family Support Worker.

Cllr Julie Hodgkiss asked whether the system operated by the Department for Work and Pensions to provide support to care leavers was working satisfactorily. Sharon Green acknowledged that the system was not working as well in Wolverhampton as in some other locations.

Cllr Martin Waite reported on anecdotal evidence of a Social worker encouraging a care leaver to spend the accrued savings to prevent prejudicial treatment in respect of receipt of benefits. Emma Bennett commented that a number of LAC had expressed concern in relation to the amount of money they received as savings did build up. This matter was being reviewed but was a complex issue to address to the satisfaction of all LAC.

Cllr Martin Waite also drew attention to the average amount of time per week available to Social Workers to spend with individuals. Sharon Green acknowledged that caseloads were challenging and reflected the amount of time which could be spent with individuals.

Cllr Dr Michael Hardacre expressed his disappointment that paragraph 5.1 of the covering report seemed to suggest that an equalities analysis had not been undertaken. He also queried the term “Foyer” in the Annual Report. Emma Bennett assured the Board that an equalities analysis had been undertaken and explained that a “Foyer” was a housing scheme linked to educational and/or employment opportunities.

Cllr Rita Potter referred to Section 7.8 of the Annual Report and suggested that further consideration be given to the classification of Care Leavers on the housing register. Emma Bennett and Sharon Green reported on the excellent working relationships between the local authority and Wolverhampton Homes and also other Registered Social Landlords operating in the City but undertook to consider this matter further. Alison Hinds reminded the Board of the progress with the provision of additional supported accommodation by Wolverhampton Homes.

Cllr Paula Brookfield requested further information in relation to “Night-stop”. Sharon Green explained that this was a host arrangement facilitated through YMCA Black Country which had eliminated the use of Bed and Breakfast as an emergency provision.

The Chair, Cllr Val Gibson, referred to paragraph 9.5 of the Annual Report insofar as it related to useful information to be provided to care leavers. She reminded the Board that at the last meeting representatives of the Children in Care Council had made it known that information on issues such as using a washing machine and changing a fuse would be helpful. Sharon Green explained that it was intended to include links to relevant YouTube clips on the children’s website.

Resolved:

1. That the report be received and noted;

2. That further discussions be held with Wolverhampton Homes on the most appropriate classification for care leavers on the housing register;

3. That further useful information be included on the children’s website in respect of issues such as the use of a washing machine and changing a fuse;

4. That the thanks of the Board be offered to the Transitions Team for the work undertaken during the period covered by the report.