Agenda item

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 on the senior management team.

To further support looked after children in schools, it was also recommended that there was a need for a member of the governing body to have a designated function for children in care. Further guidance and training on the role of designated governors would be welcomed.

Reference was made to the proposal to provide local authorities with the power to direct schools to admit children in care even when the school is fully subscribed.  This was broadly supported however, it was acknowledged that this should be done sensitively to ensure that the child’s needs are met, recognising that additional resources may be required if the school is full, particularly in primary settings.

It was noted that the Section 52, Children Act 2004 duty to promote the educational achievements of looked after children, only applied to local authorities.  It was suggested that it would be helpful if this duty was extended to school bodies.

 The measures proposed in relation to Further Education were supported.

6. LifeOutside School

The key proposals in this chapter were supported.  In relation to accessing health care for looked after children, there was a strong view that school based nurses or health advisers are best placed to provide the required health checks.

7. Transition to Adult Life

There was agreement that outcomes for young people would be improved by extending access to foster care until 21.  However this would have significant impact on future budget arrangements.

Strategies to improve the employment and training opportunities are supported.  In addition, measures to support young people into further or higher education are backed.

8. Making the system work

It was accepted that children in care should be given a greater say in decisions which affect them, and that the role of Independent Reviewing Officers should be strengthened.  Similarly, the proposals to introduce a ‘Children in Care Council’ were supported, with members welcoming the greater involvement of Looked After Children in the policy and decision making functions of the Council.  The Members would support the formalising of such arrangements.

Greater consideration should be given to measuring the success of young people in care for example measuring wider vocational attainment or participation in positive activities rather than their performance being solely measured by GCSE results.

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

(ii) That the comments arising from the presentation be endorsed

(iii) That the comments be fed into the Local Authority’s response to the Green Paper.