Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Cath Wright and Councillors G. A. Russell and J. Hamilton.

The meeting stood in silence for one minute as respect for Councillor Davies who had recently died.

Members received a presentation from the Head of Children’s Social Care on the content of the above Green Paper which sets out a radical package of proposals for change. ‘Care Matters: Transforming the Lives of Children and Young People in Care; sets out a number of key proposals in improving the care offered and after-care for Looked After Children. There are ambitious aspirations within the proposal which are welcome but challenging. There are major implications for the way Children and Young People’s Services organise its Looked After Children and Care Leaver Services and the resources available (or lack of them).

The presentation informed members of :-

·        the background resulting in the Green Paper

·        Government proposals, focusing on seven themes/pledges

·        issues in respect of children on the edge of care

·        better and more stable placements for children

·        provisions for life outside school

·        entering adult life

·        making the system work

·        how to respond to the Green Paper

·        what happens next, consultation etc.

As part of the presentation, members were provided with questions as part of the consultation response, and comments were suggested to form part of the response. These were :-

1. The need for reform.

The members expressed broad support for the ‘pledge’ however, they wanted there to be a greater emphasis on the specific role of elected members as corporate parents. It was noted that Rotherham had gone some way to developing its own pledge to Looked After Children and Young People that reflected many of the points raised in the proposals.

2. Children on the Edge of Care

Measures to minimise the numbers of children entering care were supported. Interventions such as family conferencing and shared care arrangements were highlighted. It was felt that the local authority was well placed to deliver many of the proposals outlined in the consultation.

3. Role of corporate parents

The Members shared the commitment to corporate parenting outlined in the chapter.  However, they were resistance to the notion of ‘social care practices’ independent of local authority control as they were unclear how Local Authorities could maintain their safeguarding responsibilities under these proposals.  They had concerns about how these proposals would lead to better outcomes for looked after children, and sought clarification about how the associated additional costs would be met.

The role and responsibilities of elected members as corporate parents should be strengthened and further guidance on this would be welcomed. 

There was support for the independent visitor role and that of advocates.

4. Ensuring Children are in right placements.

The proposals outlined in this chapter were broadly supported as it was recognised that it is vital that children are in the appropriate placement to meet his or her needs.  However, it was noted that the proposals may have significant budget implications.

Developments to improve fostering placements were already in hand to enable better and more stable placements.

5. A first class education

There was agreement that the Designated Teacher for children in care should be a designated Head Teacher or a teacher  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

The Service Manager, Looked After Children, reported that Looked After Children have the right to expect the outcomes we want for every child, that they should be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution to society and achieve economic well being. To achieve these five outcomes for Looked After Children, local authorities as their corporate parents’ should demonstrate the strongest commitment to helping every child they look after to achieve the highest educational standards he or she possibly can.

Under Section 22(3)(a) of the Children Act 1989, as amended by Section 52 of the Children Act 2004, the duty of the Local Authority to safeguard and promote the welfare of a child looked after by them includes in particular a duty to promote the child’s educational achievement. The authority must therefore give particular attention to the educational implications of any decision about the welfare of those children.

This duty came into force in July 2005 and applies to all children looked after by an Authority wherever they are placed.

The report submitted outlined the major issues associated with this duty and set out areas for discussion :-

(a) Strategic Planning and Accountability

(b) Effective Implementation of the duty.

In connection with (a) and (b) above, the report made reference to :-

• the Children and Young People’s Plan and what it should include
• the role of the Directors of Children’s Services and lead members
• the role of Independent Reviewing Officers
• the inspection framework
• a summary of points in respect of supporting educational achievements and aspirations

Particular reference was made in discussion to :-

-     the training of designated school governors on aspects of children in care

-     the needs of looked after children in custody and the involvement of the Youth Offending Service and the Bridges project

-     the possibility of officers involved with the managing of looked after children attending meetings of the Children and Young People’s Services Scrutiny Panel

Agreed:- (a) That the report be received and the contents noted.

(b) That as part of the response to the Government Green Paper on Care Matters, the point be made that the direct duty should also apply to schools in order to carry out the work required.

The Service Manager, Looked After Children, submitted a report which outlined the academic achievements of Children Looked After by Rotherham MBC for the academic year 2005/06.

The report set out information in respect of :-

• Key Stage 2 SATS results
• GCSE results
• Post 16 awards
• absence from school figures

Overall it was a positive year with targets being met,

Particular discussion took place on the absence from school figures, how the Performance Indicator was measured and action being taken with schools to improve the reporting of absences.

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

(b) That the congratulations of this Panel be conveyed to the pupils concerned for their achievements.

The Service Manager, Looked After Children, submitted a report which outlined the processes in place to monitor the results and progress of all Looked After Young People and Care Leavers in respect of Post 16 education and provided information on achievements in 2005/06.

Discussion took place on possible steps which could be taken to encourage more students to move into higher.

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

(b) a scrutiny review be undertaken to examine how access to higher education for young people who have been looked after can be widened.

Consideration was given to the content of a report which informed members that the fourth annual C.S.C.I. inspection of Fostering Services in Rotherham under the Care Standards Act 2000 will take place on the week beginning 7th January 2007.

The outcome of the previous fostering services inspection in March 2005 was generally positive. The recommendations were incorporated into an action plan, which was monitored closely.

The most significant recommendation in respect of fostering services contained within the JAR Inspection report and the previous fostering service inspection was to improve choice in foster placements through recruitment of foster carers.

The report submitted set out details on the following areas which were subject to ongoing review:-

• recruitment and selection
• provision of foster carers from the BME community
• improve flexibility of training provision to foster carers
• response to comments and suggestions by foster carers

The report also detailed the Recruitment Action Plan and the support available to foster carers.

Significant improvements have been made in the recruitment process. Local research into recruitment amongst the BME community has been undertaken, together with a review of national research into best practice in recruitment. A full audit of needs is underway. A recruitment plan is in development based on research and the audit of need. Prioritisation will be given to recruitment for permanence placements, for adolescents and for children with complex needs.

Agreed:- (a) That the report be received and the proposals for foster care recruitment as detailed in the report be endorsed.

(b) That the outcome of the C.S.C.I. Inspection of Fostering Services be reported to this Scrutiny Sub Panel.

The Service Manager, Looked After Children, reported that as at 25th November, 2006, Rotherham had 331 children in care.

The details submitted set out :-

-     the number of looked after children in the various types of care available, with comparative figures for 2006

-     the gender and ethnicity breakdown of children in care

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

Agreed:- That the report be received.

Further to Minute No. 15 of the meeting held on the 20th September, 2006, the Service Manager, Looked After Children, submitted a report which summarised the main themes arising from the Regulation 33 visits of the following children’s homes held during the period September 2006 to November 2006 :-

Creswick Road

Goodwin Crescent

St. Edmunds Avenue

Studmoor Road

Agreed:- (a) That the report be received and progress reports be submitted on each.

(b) That further reports are submitted to this Panel on key themes emerging from future Regulation 33 Inspections.

The Principal Scrutiny Adviser reported that, further to Minute No. 12 of the meeting of this Sub-Panel held on the 20th September, 2006, the local M.Ps had written to the Secretary of State as suggested and a further report on the outcome would be given at the next meeting.

It was also reported that feedback from NCH Bridges project was that the links with the Job Centre were more positive.

Agreed:- That the minutes of this Scrutiny Sub-Panel held on 20th September, 2006 be received.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Looked After Children Scrutiny Sub-Panel would take place on Wednesday 28th March, 2007 at 2.00 p.m.