Agenda item

The Panel considered a report and presentation of Karen Robb, Strategic Manager for Looked After and Permanence which provided details of looked after children placed out of the Local Authority boundary (for copy of report and presentation see file of minutes).

In response to a question from the Chair, the Strategic Manager for Looked After and Permanence replied that the decision to make a Special Guardianship Order is taken when it is recommended in the young person’s Care Plan.  The Cabinet has recently reviewed the Special Guardianship Policy to ensure that young people subject to Special Guardianship Orders have appropriate access to a wide range of services and support.   

Cllr Darkes referred to the sixteen children who are placed out of county and he asked about the support they are provided with.  The Strategic Manager for Looked After and Permanence replied that those young people are provided with the same level of service as those living within the county. 

In response to a query from Cllr Grant, the Strategic Manager for Looked After and Permanence clarified that the ten registered children’s homes include Aycliffe Secure Unit as one home.  Cllr Grant observed that, as over a quarter of looked after children are placed outside of the county, it would be useful to have more information on the costs of these placements.  The Strategic Manager for Looked After and Permanence responded that, recently, there had been an increase in the use of private sector provision and this has led to consideration being given to increasing the in-house provision in the future.  It was confirmed that all of this information will be included in the Sufficiency Strategy which will be presented to the Panel at a future meeting.  The Chair added it is important to note that some young people are based outside of the county in order to cater for their specialist needs.

Cllr Richardson referred to a care leaver who had attended a previous meeting and he enquired as to whether the service is still in contact with the young person who at the time was planning to move out of the county.  The Strategic Manager for Looked After and Permanence confirmed that the relationship with the young person is ongoing and this will continue until the care leaver reaches the age of 25, if that is the wish of the young person.  

In response to a query from Cllr McKeon as to how pupil premium plus applies to out of county placements, the Deputy Head of the Virtual School advised that the funding and level of support is the same, and is allocated in the same way.