Agenda item

The Panel considered a report of Tom Gorman, Corporate Scrutiny and Performance Manager, which presented an overview of performance in relation to Looked After Children and Care Leavers (for copy of report and presentation see file of minutes).

The Corporate Scrutiny and Performance Manager explained the draft performance management framework has been formulated using key lines of enquiry identified for looked after children and care leavers by the Local Government Association.

The Chair referred to one of the key lines of enquiry, which is whether members understand their role as corporate parents, saying this is difficult to quantify.  He requested that the Panel consider how this could be measured, and provide feedback to the Senior Partnership Officer.  J Wilson suggested that the Children in Care Council may be able to assist with evidencing this.

Cllr Considine commented that it would be useful to have more detail on some of the data, for example, a cost comparison of internal and external placements.  Cllr Considine also referred to the number of children reported missing during the year and queried whether the figure stated in the report indicates that several young people have gone missing once, or, whether the figure is skewed by one or two young people who go missing on a regular basis. 

The Corporate Scrutiny and Performance Manager informed the Panel that costs for external placements can be made available as the Scrutiny Team had undertaken some research on this previously.

Councillor Jewell asked if there is definition of the point at which a young person is officially classed as missing.  Bayna Brown, Strategic Manager, responded that this varies according to the characteristics of the young person and every young person is risk assessed.

Councillor Scott referred to the amount of data in the report saying that although the level of detail is appreciated, it would be helpful if more explanation could be provided.

In response to a question from Cllr Makepeace, the Head of Looked After Children and Care Leavers, responded that data on care leavers will be included in the performance framework.

Councillor Darkes commented on the number of Social Workers who have a high caseload and he asked what action is being taken to respond to the increasing demands.  The Head of Looked After Children and Care Leavers explained that there are a number of strategies to ensure a recruitment and retention programme is in place.  These include the Social Work Academy which supports newly qualified Social Workers, and, Step up to Social Work, and, Frontline which is a nationally recognised programme to attract Social Worker graduates into Durham.  The Chair referred to the Council meeting held on 24 January at which the Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People provided a detailed response to a question as to the measures being undertaken by the Council to address the upward trend in children requiring support from the Authority.

In response to a question from Councillor Darkes, the Corporate Scrutiny and Performance Manager informed members that copies of the ‘strengths and difficulties’ questionnaire referred to in the report were available.  Councillor McKeon asked if there had been any similar exercise carried out for non-looked after children, in terms of how they see their emotional wellbeing.  The Head of Looked After Children and Care Leavers replied that there may be some data available on general trends.  Officers suggested that this matter could be discussed with Donna Sweet, when she attends the meeting.

Referring to independent visitors, Cllr Crathorne asked if more information could be provided on their role.  The Head of Looked After Children and Care Leavers, explained that this service is available to all looked after children, however, as most of these young people have a good support network, only a small number of looked after children currently access the Independent Visitor Service. 

In response to a question from Councillor McKeon, the Head of Looked After Children and Care Leavers responded that authorities have a duty of care to inform other local authorities if they place a child in care within their area, and, whether or not the child is an unaccompanied asylum seeking child can be ascertained. 

E Seed and J Wilson of the Children in Care Council referred to the report and observed that there are many other ways that young people in care have opportunities to express their views which are not captured in the report.   Officers suggested that these examples could be captured in the Corporate Parenting Panel Annual Report.

Resolved:

The Panel:

• Noted the latest performance in relation to looked after children and care leavers in County Durham
• Identified any additional performance measures for inclusion in the Performance Management Framework (PMF)
• Consider ways to evidence of the Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOEs), including those not monitored through the Corporate Parenting Panel’s Performance Management Framework.

Tom Gorman, Corporate Scrutiny and Performance Manager left the meeting.

It was agreed that the Education Performance Report would be considered as the next item of business.