Agenda item

The Panel considered the Performance Update presented by Helen McAloon, Strategy Team Leader, which provided an overview of performance in relation to looked after children and care leavers during quarter four of the year, to the end of March 2023 (for copy of report and presentation see file of minutes).

Information provided included the following points:

·      The number of children in care continues to increase and Durham’s rate of children in care remains higher than the national average but below regional and statistical neighbours. During the year, 465 children and young people became looked after and 373 left care.

·      The composition of the children looked after cohort has seen a decrease in the number of under 1s entering care and an increase in the number of 1-4 year olds and adolescents entering care.

·      44% of social workers have caseloads of 25 or fewer cases.

·      Performance in relation to review health assessments remains stable and there had been a reduction in the number of initial health assessments being carried out within 20 working days of entering care, however, performance has improved in respect of paperwork received within timescales. 

·      The provision of stable homes continues to be an ongoing focus for the service during the period and it was reported that 9% of children looked after had three or more homes during a year.

·      Monitoring is taking place in respect of the increase in the number of children going missing from home which had increased from 10% to 14%.

·      The provision of suitable accommodation has improved and those deemed not in suitable accommodation are in custody. 

·      The number of young people in education, employment and training is above benchmarks.

In response to a question from the Panel as to what is considered to be a manageable caseload for a social worker, the Practice Lead explained that it was difficult to quantify as figures do not take account of the complexity of cases therefore two social workers with the same amount of cases may have very different workloads.

The Panel raised concern regarding the increase in missing from home incidents and officers explained the work done with young people and their support networks, in order to prevent missing incidents, with a dedicated Missing from Home team in place.  This includes the young person having access to an independent person with whom they can talk openly about their circumstances. The Panel heard that evidence suggests that over-reporting of missing incidents occurs and that children looked after may be disproportionately more likely to be reported missing. However, the safety of young people who are the subject of actual missing incidents is paramount and in some circumstances it may be necessary to put active disruption plans in place. The Head of Children’s Social Care highlighted that analysis of the figures shows that a small cohort of young people are responsible for a high number of missing incidents and it was agreed that more detailed information will be included in future performance reports as to the number of missing incidents which are actual missing incidents as opposed to those which are less concerning, for example when a young person is reported missing because they have forgotten to let their carer know that they will be returning home later than usual.  Further information on missing from home work will be brought to future Panel meetings as part of the work programme. 

Members were pleased to see that a high number of care leavers are in education, employment and training and the Practice Lead remarked that whilst this was pleasing, there is always room for improvement.  In response to a question regarding social work recruitment, officers replied that it continued to be a challenge. The Panel heard that assessments will be taking place to recruit 20 social work trainees and interest had exceeded all expectations, with over 400 applications received. The Council aims to increase social work capacity over the long-term and attracting experienced social workers is an ongoing issue which is reflected nationally, therefore Durham is aiming to ‘grow its own’.  On a positive note, it was reported that a number of experienced social workers have recently returned to the employ of Durham County Council.

Members of the Panel referred to the increase in the number of children looked after in Durham and asked how this compared regionally. The Head of Children’s Social Care explained the number of children looked after has increased regionally and nationally over a number of years.

Durham’s rate of children in care is the fifth lowest in the north east and the levels of deprivation in some parts of the county were identified as a contributing factor.

Councillor Deinali spoke of the success of the Pause programme and the reduction in the number of children under the age of 1 entering care and she asked whether any themes had been identified for the increase in the number of children aged 1-4 entering care. The Head of Children’s Social Care spoke of the many reasons why children and young people become looked after, with the main reasons being abuse and neglect.  The Practice Lead referred to observations of an increase in the number of adoptions where there had been a maternal history of substance misuse.  As a result, this is being monitored.

Councillor Charlton asked what action is taken in respect of families who have multiple children taken into care. The Head of Children’s Social Care highlighted that the work of the Pause programme had reduced the number of under 1s entering care by engaging with mothers who had multiple babies removed. The mothers are encouraged to take a pause and to access support in order to avoid repeating their behaviour.

Councillor Hunt asked whether the government’s plans to tackle anti-social behaviour would lead to more young people entering care.  Officers responded that whilst tackling anti-social behaviour is part of the wider work done to support families, very few children enter care due to their own behaviour.

Resolved:

That the report and presentation be noted.