Agenda item

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Service, Looked After Children on the number of children in care, the types of placements they were allocated to, the reviews, the education outcomes and the cost to the Local Authority.

The report author, accompanied by the Interim Director of Children’s Services, the Director of Finance and the Senior Finance Manager attended the meeting to present the information and to address the enquiries of the Select Committee.

It was reported that both at national and local level, the number of Children Looked After (CLA) had increased consistently since 2013. In Oldham, an increase of 37 cases (per 10,000 population) had been registered between March 2016 and March 2018. These figures were affected by the rise in cases of domestic abuse. It was also reported that in recent months, the number of CLA had been on a downward trend and this had placed Oldham in a better position compared to its statistical neighbours. It was reported that this was due to a more stringent management oversight of decision about children becoming looked after as well as a stronger focus on children safely exiting care.

Overall, this was an improving picture but still some challenges had to be addressed. For example, the increasing level of complexity in new and existing cases; this was often connected with domestic violence and parental mental health. Children were also at risk of sexual exploitation and this affected the stability of placements.  Children’s Social Care Budget saw CLA as its largest overspend due to out of the area placements and in-house fostering. A revised operating model had been proposed to address the overspend by reducing the demand for placements and achieving better value for money via better commissioning.

With regard to the education outcomes of CLA, it was reported that 2017/18 data had not yet been validated. Therefore, the report mainly focused on 2016/17 information. Positive outcomes had been registered for Key Stage 2 and 4, improving trends, Oldham had ranked 19th nationally, in combined reading, writing and maths, achieving expected standards. This was higher nationally, regionally and in comparison to statistical neighbours. With regard to outcomes for Key stage 4, Oldham had been ranked 11^th nationally for English and Maths GCSEs.

Members sought and received clarification / commented on the following points:

-        Adoption time scale – it was explained that, in Oldham, the adoption time scale had been reduced from 501 days in 2015 to 430 days.

-        Out of the area placements – It was explained that Oldham had 41% of CLA placed out of the area. However, they were placed within 21 miles from their home address, in line with the Government measure to improve long term stability, quality of relationship and to avoid disruption to schooling.

-        Education outcomes and issues on progress for Key Stage 4 – It was explained that services faced challenges linked to the social and mental health aspects of young people’s lives. For those children placed in external provisions, the intention was to return them to in house provisions in order to achieve better outcomes through collaboration amongst education, health and social care professionals. It was also stressed that services wanted to take on board the voice of children; it was statutory provision that each CLA had an Education and Health Care Plan (HECP), so education and health and care professionals could work together to support children and young people to achieve their targets.

-        CLA’s overspend – Details of the overspend were provided. It was also explained that recruitment of foster parents was ongoing; Oldham had joined You Can Foster agency to increase its visual advertising campaign. 

-        Foster parents recruitment in Oldham and comparison to its statistical neighbours – It was explained that Oldham in house provision compared well to its statistical neighbours. The aim was to increase the capacity to place children locally.

-        Academies and CLA – it was explained that there was statutory guidance in place that all school establishments had to follow. In addition to this, there was a forum where all schools, including Academies and the Virtual Head Teacher met regularly. Although Academies had different policies and procedures, they were generally very responsive and prepared to build up relationships with professionals who worked with CLA.

-        Reasons for spike in CLA figures – It was explained that there were various reasons, however, more children were coming into care and less could exit care safely. However, more preventative work was ongoing to reduce these figures.

-        Percentage of children subject to abuse or neglect – It was explained that the majority of CLA had been subject to neglect and emotional abuse. However, in domestic abuse, it was difficult to separate the two.

-        Austerity and impact on society – It was explained that the financial climate and the challenges that families faced in terms of domestic abuse, substance misuse and sex exploitation, all had an impact on children.

-        Placement Stability – It was explained that different causes could contribute to make a placement not stable, for example a planned move, such as adoption, was a positive outcome although it had an impact on the stability of a previous placement. Social care and education professionals worked together to ensure that education provision was maintained to contribute to a greater stability for CLA.

-        Education, Employment and Training for CLA and care leavers  - It was explained that there was a dedicated career advisor for CLA and care leavers. 70% of care leavers in Oldham were in Employment, Education or Training. The Corporate Parenting Panel had the responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of these children.

RESOLVED that the content of the report be noted.