Agenda item

This agenda item will provide a summary of performance for key performance indicators across the Looked After Children (LAC) services. It should be read in conjunction with the accompanying performance data reports, Appendix 1 which provides performance on a page giving an overview of the services performance in comparison to the same period 2022-23 and Appendix 2 which provides trend data, graphical analysis, and latest benchmarking data against national and statistical neighbour averages where possible.

Cathryn Woodward, Performance and Business Intelligence Manager, presented the submitted report which provided a summary of performance for key indicators across the Looked After Children Services for Quarter 2 2023/2024. It also included a summary of Service performance in comparison to the same period in 2022/2023, trend data, graphical analysis and the latest benchmarking data against national and statistical neighbour averages (where possible). The following was outlined: -

·       The number of children entering care was lower in comparison to the same period last year. 78 children entered this year, which was a reduction of 13.

·       79% of care plans were up to date in this quarter. The service had re-aligned the way in which plans were monitored, to ensure they were completed closer to looked after reviews to ensure a better-quality care plan. As a result of this change, the performance measure had reduced this quarter.

·       76% of children were in a family-based placement, this was similar to last year.

·       64% of children looked after for two years or more were in a stable long-term placement. This was 1.5% higher than last year. The aim was to be at 70%.

·       7.7% of children looked after were in a stable short-term placement, this was 3.7% higher than last year.

·       There were 108 fostering families, this was 12 lower than the previous year. There had been 8 approvals in this quarter and 11 de-registrations.

·       There were 10 children in care that were known to the Youth Justice Service.

·       There were 11 children adopted in this quarter.

·       57% of initial health assessments were completed on time, with the target being 20 days. 71% of children and young people in this cohort had up to date dental assessments.

·       91% of reviews were completed on time, with 93.4% of visits up to date. These performance measures had been impacted by staffing levels which caused instability in the service. This had now been resolved and the service was fully staffed.

·       98.9% of education plans were up to date, this was 3.9% better than the last quarter.

·       There had been an increase in care leavers, with 322 young people leaving care. 96% of those young people were in suitable accomodation. 12 young people were in un-suitable accomodation, with 6 in custody.

·       There was 101 children and young people discharged from care. 22% were moved into permanence.

Discussion ensued with the following discussed: -

·       In relation to care plans, the service had changed the way in which the plans were monitored to align this with the care plan being updated within 10 days of the looked after child (LAC) review. Before the change, this was updated within 6 months of a LAC review.

·       Children in care had several concurrent plans. When reviewing the IRO’s, the service wanted to ensure all other plans were up to date.

·       There was an older cohort of looked after children entering the service, who were near the age of leaving care.

·       In relation to the 6 out of 12 children in custody, all children and young people in custody had allocated personal assistants working with them in anticipation of leaving custody. It was more challenging to maintain contact with children and young people in custody. Some of these children and young people had no history of care and were remanded into the care of the Local Authority.

·       Any child or young person under the age of 18 had the support of the virtual school in custody to ensure there was an appropriate education offer. There was a working group for education for serving headteachers, which ensured headteachers were part of the safeguarding of exploitation. This group fed into the Safeguarding Partnership Executive Group.

·       There was on-site health provision at all custody sites, with a Comprehensive Health Assessment Tool (CHAT) completed within one hour of arriving in a secure estate, to establish if there could be any immediate risk of harm. This was also reviewed regularly.