Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made.

Agreed:- (1) That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Looked After Children Scrutiny Sub-Panel, held on 25th March, 2009, be approved as a correct record.

(2) That, with regard to Minute No. 23 (Progress against Fostering Inspection Action Plan (Ofsted Monitoring) – the Scrutiny Sub-Panel noted that the outcome of the Ofsted re-inspection during May, 2009 was that Rotherham’s fostering services are now at a satisfactory standard overall (further details and the updated action plan would be reported to the next meeting of the Looked After Children Scrutiny Sub-Panel).

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Looked After Children Support Team Manager outlining the duties placed upon local authorities within the Care Matters agenda to put into place new processes to hear the voice of the looked after child and to ensure that their needs are listened to and responded to. The report also detailed the progress made towards these requirements, in Rotherham.

The report stated that the Looked After Children Council has met with Elected Members on three occasions. The minutes of each meeting were appended to the report submitted. Their work  has included:-

- work on the Borough Council and LAC Council’s ’pledge’ to Looked after Children;

- development of a magazine for Looked after Children; and

- work towards a full ‘fun’ day for a larger group of Looked After Children, which will enable wider consultation with young people.

Agreed:- That the report be received and the good progress of the Looked After Children Council be noted.

Further to Minute No. 28 of the meeting of the Looked After Children Scrutiny Sub-Panel held on 25^th March, 2009, consideration was given to a report submitted by the Senior Scrutiny Adviser concerning the Sub-Panel’s terms of reference and suggesting an outline work programme for the 2009/10 Municipal Year that includes the key matters for scrutiny known to date and incorporating those areas identified by the Sub-Panel at previous meetings.

Agreed:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the 2009/2010 work programme of the Looked After Children Scrutiny Sub-Panel, as now submitted, be approved.

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Operations Manager, Youth Offending Service, stating that reports about offending by looked after children were first requested in 2005 due to local and national concerns that ‘Looked After’ children and young people were at significantly greater risk of offending than the general population. There was a particular concern, which had been commented upon by local Magistrates, that those who were accommodated in the residential sector were most likely to become involved in the criminal justice system. Specifically the focus was on ‘violent and disorder’ offences within local authority children’s homes. The data for the most recent year, 2008/09, was included in the report submitted.

The report described the more general picture of offending by young people who have been looked after for at least 12 months on 31^st March 2009 and covered offences committed between 1^st April 2008 and 31^st March 2009.  It is acknowledged that previous reports have covered other periods of the year, but there is nothing to suggest that this would have any significant impact on general trends or patterns. Reference was made to the age of criminal responsibility being 10 years, so the numbers of looked after children under consideration are those who have met the time factor of being looked after as above, and who are between 10 and 17 years of age.

The Sub-Panel discussed the joint working arrangements with Area Assemblies and with the Safer Neighbourhood Teams in respect of crime reduction generally.

Agreed:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the Looked After Children Scrutiny Sub-Panel supports the actions, outlined in the report submitted, to reduce further offending by looked after children.

(3) That a progress report on offending by looked after children be reported to a future meeting of the Looked After Children Scrutiny Sub-Panel in twelve months’ time.

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Service Manager, Operational Safeguarding Children Unit, stating that as at 31st March, 2009, there were 406 Looked After Children in the Rotherham Borough area. There are 33 children subject to Care Orders placed at home with their parents and subject to the necessary regulations. These 33 children and young people have access to the same support and resources as other Looked After Children who are in either foster care or residential care.

The report stated that the Performance Indicators relevant to Looked After Children are equally as applicable to those in placements, in foster care and residential care and in family placements.

The challenge for the Service is to support parents in maintaining school attendance, health assessments and diverting these young people away from anti?social behaviour and crime.

Placement agreements are developed where a looked after child returns home and parents are made aware of what is expected from them. It was noted that, on occasions, this objective is difficult to achieve.

The Scrutiny Sub-Panel debated the process leading to applications for the discharge of Care Orders and the importance of supporting Looked After Children towards independent living.

Agreed:- That the report be received and its contents noted.

Further to Minute No. 24 of the meeting of the Looked After Children Scrutiny Sub-Panel held on 25^th March, 2009, consideration was given to a report presented by the Looked After Children Service Manager concerning the fostering recruitment and retention plan which has been successful in increasing the numbers of prospective foster carers under assessment.

The report stated that the recruitment process has included fostering fortnight and specialist events such as meetings with representatives from the black and minority ethnic communities and attendance at Aiming Higher consultation events.

Reference was made to the recruitment of foster carers by neighbouring local authorities and by the independent sector.

Agreed:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That a progress report about the recruitment of foster carers be submitted to the next meeting of the Looked After Children Scrutiny Sub-Panel.

The Looked After Children Service Manager submitted a report providing the quarterly statistics and profile of the number of looked after children and young people in Rotherham. The report stated that, as at 31^st May 2009, there were 409 looked after children, 29 of whom were supported by the children’s disability team. This number was an increase from 353 children in June 2008, 387 in December 2008 and 391 in March, 2009.

Statistics were included in the report of the type of care received by looked after children and young people, their age range, type of care order and ethnic backgrounds.

Agreed:- That the report be received and its contents noted.

Further to Minute No. 26 of the meeting of the Looked After Children Scrutiny Sub-Panel held on 25^th March, 2009, consideration was given to a report presented by Martin Smith, Manager of the Get Real Team, outlining the role of the Get Real Team in raising the attainment, achievement and aspirations of young people in care in Rotherham, mainly via short term intervention work, in addition to monitoring and supporting attendance at school across all key stages.

The report stated that by 22nd May, 2009, out of 212 young people of school age looked after by this Council, 13.25% have reached 25 days or more missing from school. (28 students in total) compared to 8.79% (19 students) reported to this Sub-Panel in March 2009. Details of the type of placement for these young people were also listed in the report.

Reference was made to the preparation of personal education plans for the looked after children and young people in Rotherham. The Sub-Panel noted that the role of Designated Teachers would have a statutory basis from September 2009 and would therefore have an effect upon looked after children in the future. Further reference was made to the training of school governors responsible for looked after children.

Agreed:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That a further report be submitted to the next meeting of the Looked After Children Scrutiny Sub-Panel detailing the progress being made in raising the attainment, achievement and aspirations of young people in care in Rotherham, with particular reference to the training for school governors.

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Looked After Children Service Manager containing a summary of the main issues and events occurring in Children’s Homes during the period March to June 2009. The report referred to the mainstream Children’s Homes which are:

- Goodwin Crescent Children’s Home at Swinton;

- St. Edmunds Avenue Children’s Home at Thurcroft;

- Silverwood Children’s Home, East Herringthorpe;

- Woodview Children’s Home, Kimberworth Park.

The report provided information about the visits and reports made under Regulation 33 of the Children’s Homes Regulations 2001. This regulation states that:-

“Where the registered provider is an individual, but is not in day to day charge of the children’s home, he shall visit the home in accordance with this regulation”. In Rotherham, the Manager of Operations, Looked After Children Resources performs this function.

Specific reference was made to the proposed improvements to the Children’s Home at Goodwin Crescent, Swinton.

Agreed:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That it be noted that the Manager of Operations, Looked After Children Resources shall continue to undertake the visits and reports in accordance with Regulation 33 of the Children’s Homes Regulations 2001 and submit reports to meetings of this Scrutiny Sub-Panel.

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Performance Manager (Children and Young People’s Services) outlining performance at the end of 2008/09 against targets for national indicators relating to services for Looked After Children.

Members noted that the format of the report had changed to provide more analysis and assessment of comparison and direction of travel, which will be valuable to managers, Directors and Elected Members under the Comprehensive Area Assessment regime.

Discussion took place on the range of the performance indicators, with Members noting the various areas of improvement and of under-performance and also the arrangements for performance clinics.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the Performance Report and accompanying Assessment (appendix A to the report submitted) be received and the performance relating to services for Looked After Children be noted.

(3) That the recommendations regarding performance clinics (as detailed within appendix A to the report submitted) be noted and arrangements be made for Members of the Looked After Children Scrutiny Sub-Panel to attend the performance clinics.