Minutes:
Karen Robb, Strategic Manager for Looked After and Permanence, delivered a powerpoint presentation on the types of care placements (for copy see file of minutes).
It was reported that a large number of looked after children are placed with in-house foster carers or with friends and family, however, the number of independent fostering agencies being used is increasing, due to the level of demand. The Chairman asked if the number of children in private children’s homes correlated with the recent closure of some of the in-house provision.
The Strategic Manager for Looked After and Permanence replied that when the homes were closed, there were fewer looked after children; the figure at that time was approximately 600. Councillor Jewell asked whether it was possible to predict the direction of travel and the Strategic Manager for Looked After and Permanence said this is difficult to predict, however, the figure had stood at approximately 800 for several months so it may have stabilised at that level.
The Chairman commented that it would be interesting to analyse whether austerity had led to the increase in the number of looked after children. The Legal Manager, Children and Adult Services, responded that the effects of austerity can be seen in the east of the County which has a greater number of looked after children than the more affluent parts of the County. The Head of Looked After Children and Care Leavers added that there is work being undertaken on themes such as the amount of movement in communities and the effects of this on the care system, adding that the findings from this work will be shared with the Panel in the future.