Agenda item

Performance in the following areas:

·         Planning for Permanence

·         Placement Stability

Key line of enquiry: Are we providing stable environments for children in our care?

The Panel considered a report and presentation of Chris Bell, Operations Manager, Fostering and Adoption, which provided an update on the current activity and performance in relation to achieving permanence for Looked After Children including plans for service developments over the over the next 12 months (for copy of report and presentation see file of minutes).

Cllr Grant referred to the 73 children who are not yet matched with a permanent placement and asked how long they have been waiting to be matched.  The Operations Manager replied that the reasons are very dynamic and he added that there is a national shortage of adopters.

Councillor Makepeace referred to the discussions at a previous meeting which sought to identify ways to increase the promotion of adoption and fostering.  The Operations Manager responded that the service is currently working on the development of the fostering digital roadshow to be delivered through AAPs and other community settings and it is hoped that this will be launched to coincide with fostering fortnight in May. 

Councillor Jewell referred to the office relocation and continuity around service development and the importance of ensuring the service is available throughout the County.  The Operations Manager responded that a hub approach will be adopted, and new ways of working will be embraced, including the use of digital facilities when necessary and appropriate. 

Resolved:

The Corporate Parenting Panel agreed to:

• The implementation of the Early Permanence Strategy to deliver a consistent service wide approach to Care Planning for children to remain at home with their families whenever possible and where children need to become looked after their plans are progressed in a timely manner to avoid drift and delay.
• To continue the targeted recruitment of both foster carers and adopters, based upon both the profiles of the children to ensure the provision meets the needs of the most difficult children. To improve effective senior management oversight of all cases where children are looked after to reduce drift and delay and that they achieve permanence at the earliest opportunity.
• To ensure a clear performance framework is developed to effectively report progress to CYPSMT and to Elected Members.