Draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J. Hamilton, P. Russell and R. Russell.

Agreed:- That Councillor G.A. Russell be appointed Chairman of the Looked After Children Scrutiny Sub-Panel and Councillor McNeely be appointed Vice-Chairman.

The Project Manager of NCH Rotherham Bridges gave a report, with the support of young people involved with the Project, which informed the meeting of :-

-     the background to the NCH Rotherham Bridges Project, and that it provides support to young people looked after and care leavers, between the ages of 16 and 21, within the requirements of the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000;

-     the NCH Rotherham Accommodation Project which provides support to care leavers within their own tenancies and is developing Supported Lodging provision;

-     the requirements of the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000;

-     staffing and service requirements of the two Projects;

-     current service provision and issues arising such as :-

o       education, training and employment

o       accommodation provision

o       health

o       financial/funding aspects

Particular issues were highlighted such as one to one work with care leavers, support available for young people, the drop-in service, group work undertaken, courses available to young people and links with the Prince’s Trust.

Reference was also made to accommodation issues, particularly for disabled young people. Concerns around accommodation were discussed.

Subsequent comments and queries were in respect of :-

(a) project workers, their role and working arrangements;

(b) access to benefits and how it could possibly be improved;

(c) the number of looked after children in work placements and job schemes.

The work with the Council, Connexions Service and Colleges regarding placements was outlined.

(d) the health care available to looked after children, concerns being expressed about emergency care, and the lack of counselling services especially for mental health issues.

Discussions were ongoing with the Health Services and appropriate agencies as the children in care required professional support and advice.

Agreed:- (i) That the report and information be received, the representatives from NCH Bridges Project being thanked for their contribution.

(ii) That the representatives of NCH Bridges Project return at a future date to report on progress.

(iii) That the concerns raised in respect of benefits for looked after children be addressed at a future meeting.

(iv) That information be obtained from Human Resources on the work placement situation for looked after children.

(v) That the Cabinet Member, Children and Young People’s Services be made aware of the concerns raised regarding the health needs of children in care, particularly their requirements which were not being met.

The Head of Scrutiny Services reminded members of the role of scrutiny, the terms of reference for this Scrutiny Sub-Panel and its work programme for 2006/07.

With regard to the terms of reference, it was agreed by members that, for continuity purposes, the Chair of Children and Young People’s Services Scrutiny Panel should also chair the Looked After Children Scrutiny Sub-Panel.

On the outline work programme and terms of reference, it was suggested that specific reference should be made to the duty to promote the educational achievements of Looked After Children as stated in Section 52 of the Children Act, 2004.

Agreed:- (i) That the Terms of Reference for the Looked After Children Scrutiny Sub-Panel be noted.

(ii) That the work programme as outlined be accepted along with the additional item as suggested.

(iii) That the Chair of the Children and Young People’s Services Scrutiny Panel also be the Chair of the Looked After Children Scrutiny Sub-Panel and the Terms of Reference be amended to reflect this.

Katy Hawkins reported that as at 20th June, 2006, Rotherham had 327 children in care.

The details submitted set out :-

-     the number of looked after children

-     the gender and ethnicity breakdown of the children in care

-     the school attendance record of children in care along with commentary on reasons for them missing school

Katy Hawkins clarified what was classed as secure accommodation for children in care. Further questions were asked about what action can be taken to ensure that looked after children placed with their families maintain good attendance at school.

It was noted that the figures submitted included the number of unaccompanied asylum seeker children.

Agreed:- (i) That the report be received.

(ii) That arrangements be made for members of this Scrutiny Sub-Panel to visit the Get Real Team in Autumn.

Katy Hawkins reported that the Care Standards Act 2000 sets minimum standards of care to be provided for children and young people and provides a set of standards which form the basis for judgements made by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), the independent inspectorate for social care services.

The report submitted set out the guidelines for registration of Children’s Residential Homes, how the homes are inspected in line with the standards, the way in which inspections take place, and the areas covered by Regulation 33 inspections.

Agreed:- (i) That the report be received.

(ii) That further reports are provided on key themes emerging from future Regulation 33 inspections the reports to be submitted on a quarterly basis.

Katy Hawkins reported on the current figures and performance indicators in relation to the Fostering and Adoption Teams.

The report submitted set out :-

(a) the situation in respect of fostering services and foster care provision, the types of foster placements, support and training given to foster carers.

Reference was made to the Emergency Foster Care situation which indicated the reasons for some foster carers having too many children in their care at times, particularly if a number of siblings were involved. The recruitment of foster carers was ongoing but it was a long process.

(b) the adoption situation in Rotherham and the performance against LPSA targets, along with those for Looked After Children.

It was noted that potentially Children and Young People’s Services will face significantly increased costs in relation to adoption support packages.

Agreed:- (i) That the report be received.

(ii) That a report be submitted to the next meeting on (a) the provision of support for foster carers and (b) the recruitment of foster carers.

Agreed:- (i) That the minutes of the above group be received and the actions to be taken be noted.

(ii) That progress be reported back to the next meeting of this Sub-Panel.

Agreed:- That the minutes of this Scrutiny Sub-Panel held on the 23rd March, 2006 be received.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Looked After Children Scrutiny Sub-Panel would take place on Wednesday 20th September, 2006 at 2.00 p.m.