Agenda item

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Children and Young people which provided Members with an overview of the issues that impact on Children in Care and their experience of transition from care into adult life.

The Board was advised that there were 148 Children in Care in Halton and 78 Care Leavers.  The population of Children in Care had remained consistent over a number of years as a result of the emphasis placed on supporting families and seeing care as a final positive choice for children and young people.

The Board was further advised that all children who came into care had a clear plan, which considered the needs of the individual child and how these needs could be matched to an alternative carer and other service provision.  The care planning process was driven by the health and well being of the child. 

It was reported that the Authority would need to improve the continuity of planning for children as they leave care and delay the ‘event’ until the young person was ready to leave home.  This could be achieved by extending the offer for young people to stay with their carer until they were 21 years of age.  It was highlighted that this would have funding implications and could have an impact on the availability of placements for other children, but it was an essential first step to improving outcomes for Children in Care.

The actions and the next steps as set out in paragraphs 4.3 (i-v), 4.4 and 4.5 of the report were also highlighted for consideration by the Board.

Arising from the discussion, the following comments were noted:-

·        It was noted that Appendix 1 to the Children in Care Strategy was not attached to the report.  It was agreed that this be circulated to Members;

·        It was suggested that a report be presented to the Board on the quality of the Section 33 and Climbē visits before the Corporate Parenting Conference was rerun in February 2009.  It was also suggested that information on the visits be sent to all Members asking that they receive training and participate in the visits;

·        Concern was raised regarding the quality of the reports in respect of Section 33 visits and ensuring that actions were followed up.  It was suggested that the form be amended to include a date for any actions that had been taken.  It was suggested that the reports, be anonymised and reported back to the Board;

·        The Board supported the actions set out in paragraphs 4.3 (i-v) and the next steps set out in paragraph 4.5 of the report.

RESOLVED: That

(1)               Appendix 1 to the Children in Care Strategy be circulated to all Members of the Board;

(2)               a report detailing the quality of Section 33 and Climbē visits be presented to the January meeting of the Board;

(3)               the Section 33 and Climbiē visit reports be anonymised and reported back to the Board as good practice; and

(4)               the actions set out in paragraphs 4.3 (i-v) and the next steps set out in paragraph 4.5 of the report, as attached to the minutes, be approved.