Agenda item

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Transformation and Partnerships which presented progress against the council’s corporate performance framework for the Altogether Better for Children and Young People priority theme for the first quarter of the 2017/18 financial year (for copy see file of minutes).

The Team Leader for Performance, Co-ordination and Development reported that more children aged 0-2 years in deprived areas (88%) were registered with a Children’s Centre and are having contact compared to last year (86%).  Children’s Centres play a vital role in early intervention, reaching those whose needs might otherwise escalate into more serious problems.  Significant progress was made on the processing rate for statutory referrals within one working day despite an increase in the number of children in need.

Councillor Brookes sought clarification in relation to the national figure for looked after children as it appeared to be static on the graph included in the report. The Team Leader for Performance advised that the national figure for looked after children was 60 per 10,000 population under 18, however in County Durham there had been a much more significant increase.

Councillor Kennedy commented that there could be a connection between domestic violence, the rise in child poverty and the increase in the number of Child Protection Plans.

Councillor Durham asked about the increase in the number of dental checks for looked after children. He was advised that work was ongoing which was looking at the accuracy of information recorded.

Councillor Patterson expressed concern in relation to health checks for looked after children and asked if this could be compared against other children as there were less health checks in school and parents may have difficulty attending appointments. The Team Leader advised that health visiting service information could be included, and added that the health visiting was good, however, as a child gets older contact is reduced.

Councillor Kennedy advised the committee that in her experience, dental practices had taken clients who were children off their books if they had missed a single appointment, resulting in them having to register elsewhere.  The Chairman advised that this would be raised with Adults, Wellbeing and Health Scrutiny Committee and the Health and Welling Board.

Councillor Hopper advised that Dentists follow similar procedures to GP surgeries regarding appointments.  She indicated that tooth decay was preventable and there should be promotion of dental health.

Councillor Jopling enquired about under performing schools and procedures for those schools who had been identified as inadequate and required improvement. The Team Leader advised that School Improvement officers work with schools to improve standards and some of those identified were making progress to come off the list.

Resolved:

That the report be noted