Corporate Parenting Panel

There is an induction hearing loop system available in all meeting rooms. Some of the systems are infra-red operated, if you wish to use this system then please contact Karen Dunleavy on 01733 452233 as soon as possible.

ABCORPORATE PARENTING PANEL

WEDNESDAY 18 MARCH 20156.30 PM

Bourges/Viersen Room - Town Hall

AGENDAPage No

1. Apologies

2. Minutes of the Last Meeting 5 - 14

3. Update from Children in Care Council

To note the verbal update from representatives of the Children in Care Council.

4. Updates from Foster Carers

To note the verbal update from representatives of the Foster Carer Forum.

5. Social Worker Case Study

To note a presentation from Adopters regarding their experience of the adoption process.

6. Fostering Statement of Purpose 15 - 34

The Panel is asked to agree the update to the Statement of Purpose and to consider and endorse service objectives.

7. Adoption Update 35 - 46

The Panel are asked to note and consider the findings of the report.

8. Report on the Corporate Parenting Champion Re-launch 47 - 50

To consider and endorse the proposal for Corporate Parenting Champion re-launch and the recommendations.

Public Document Pack

aac536

Text Box

9. Performance

9.a Complaints 51 - 60

For the Panel to note.

9.b Placements of Children in Care 61 - 66


9.c Scorecard 67 - 82


9.d Updates on Initial Health Assessments

Report to follow.

10. Members Issues

Members that are not part of the core CPP membership, but hold Corporate Parenting responsibilities, are invited to raise any issues they have with regard to the services provided to Children in Care

11. Any Other Business

12. Date of the Next Meeting

The date of the next meeting is to be agreed at Annual Council due to be held on 20 May 2015.

Group Members:

Councillors Thacker MBE (Chairman), Saltmarsh (Vice Chairman), Arculus, Casey, Peach, Holdich OBE, Rush, Scott OBE, Harper, Day, Johnson, Jamil, Sylvester, F Fox, Okonkowski and Lane

Standing Invitation to all Councillors

Further information about this meeting can be obtained from Karen Dunleavy on telephone 01733 452233 or by email – [email protected]

Emergency Evacuation Procedure – Outside Normal Office Hours

In the event of the fire alarm sounding all persons should vacate the building by way of the nearest escape route and proceed directly to the assembly point in front of the Cathedral. The duty Beadle will assume overall control during any evacuation, however in the unlikely event the Beadle is unavailable, this responsibility will be assumed by the Committee Chair.

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ABMINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE PANEL

HELD AT THE TOWN HALL, PETERBOROUGH 22 JANUARY 2015

MEMBERS PRESENT: Councillors Thacker (Chairman), Saltmarsh (Vice Chairman), Arculus, Casey, Harper, Holdich, Jamil, Johnson, Lane, Okonkowski, Peach, Johnson, F Fox and Rush.

Members also Councillor Murphy.in Attendance

OFFICERS PRESENT:

Jenny Goodes Head of Service for Looked after Children and Leaving Care

Belinda Evans Complaints ManagerSimon Green Head of Fostering and AdoptionLou Williams Assistant Director, CommissioningPippa Turvey Senior Governance OfficerKaren Smith Lead Nurse for Children in Care HomesHelene Carr Head of Access to Resources Team (Art)Sian Stevens Looked After Children Team ManagerAlison Geldor Project Coordinator for National Youth Advocacy

Service (NYAS)

ALSO IN ATTENDANCE:

Sarah Purvis Foster Care ForumSusan Pelican Foster Care ForumPhilip Gilbert Foster Carer

1. APOLOGIES

Apologies were received for Councillors Day and Sylvester.

Apologies were also received for Councillors Ash, Cereste, Brown, Elsey Knowles, Judy Fox, Khan, Lamb, Over, Serluca, Shearman, Stuart and Walsh.

2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 19 NOVEMBER 2015

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 November 2015, were approved as a true and accurate record.

3. UPDATE ON COMPLAINTS

The Customer Services Manager and Head of Service for Looked after Children and Leaving Care introduced a report to the Panel on the complaints received from and on the behalf of children who were looked after by the Authority from 1 April 2014 to date.

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Key points highlighted included:

Complaints had seen an increase, with three received in one week, which were reported through the NYAS route;

There had been 12 complaints received to date, which was expected to present a slight increase in the figures compared to 2013/14;

A breakdown of complaints per teams; The complaints had been received predominantly from parents in relation to

Children in Care services received; An end of year report was due to be produced which would provide a

breakdown by age group; Seven out of 12 young people had raised complaints independently and

supported through the NYAS services; Timescales were improving, with an average 16 day turnaround to reach a

resolve; Two complaints had been outstanding since the report had been produced,

however, these have been resolved; A high volume of complaints had been upheld or partially upheld, which

indicated that complaints were being treated seriously and avoided escalation and had been resolved to the young person’s satisfaction; and

One case of service improvement had been identified.

The Complaints Manager and the Assistant Director, Commissioning responded to comments and questions raised by Members. In summary the responses included:

The complaints received for the leaving care service was due to a lack of support in a number of areas such as leaving care advice provided;

The options for Care Leavers (CL) aged 18 or over seeking independent living had been housing placement or the Foyer which was a staggered independent living option. However, there had been a Staying Put Policy in place to enable CL to remain with their foster carers;

A complaint had been received with regards to clothes being packed into bin bags, despite the firm commitment made by Children in Care Services to ensure that clothes would be packed into coloured bags;

There had been a ten day turnaround expectation to resolve complaints, regardless of the 20 day legislative deadline. In addition complaint reports were sent to Heads of Service on a regular basis in order to avoid any lag with timescales;

Line Mangers as well as Team Managers of a service were always copied into complaints received for each respective service area; and

Confidentiality in the production of complaint reports was paramount in order not to identify any particular Child in Care

A Foster Carer representative commented that providing appropriate luggage was not always practical if there were a large quantity of items that needed transportation for the Child in Care.

The Panel: Noted the report.

4. PERFORMANCE REPORT

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3.a Breakdown of Looked After Children Placements

The Head of Service for Looked after Children and Leaving Care introduced a report, which updated the Corporate Parenting Panel in respect of the number of children and young people currently being looked after by the Authority. The Panel was advised that the November 2014 figures were at 378, which was a slight decrease compared to the position reported in September 2014.

3.b Scorecard Update

The Head of Service for Looked after Children and Leaving Care introduced a report which provided an update on the current service performance for children looked after, leaving care, adoption and fostering and the status of some of the objectives currently being worked towards by the Looked after Children Services teams.

The Assistant Director, Commissioning responded to comments and questions. In summary the responses included:

The areas highlighted in red within the performance report for children who had ceased to be Children Looked after, meant that Council had not had the number of children leaving care as expected. This highlight was not an indicator of poor performance by the Council.

The Panel: noted the report.

5. UPDATE FROM THE CHILDREN IN CARE COUNCIL

Due to non-attendance of the representatives of the Children in Care Council and the Youth Engagement and Participation Officer, this update was deferred until the next meeting of the Corporate Parenting Panel.

6. UPDATE FROM FOSTER FORUM

The Foster Care Forum representatives provided an update on the recent discussions arising from the Foster Carer (FC) Forum meetings.

The key areas of discussion included:

Changes to the FC Committee Chairman, in addition the current Vice chairman had had to resign;

A successful Christmas party had been held for Foster Children and their foster families;

The level of budget available for CIC and carer events; A presentation on foster carer fees was received by the forum, which

explored the ways to reduce the use of agency carers; and The Staying Put Policy revision was endorsed by the Foster Carer Forum.

The Head of Service for Looked after Children and Leaving Care responded to comments and questions. In summary the responses included:

A shared service between Local Authorities such as Cambridgeshire, for the provision of in-house Foster Carer Services would prove difficult due to the low level of carers available, hence the reliance on agencies; and

It was confirmed that Mr and Mrs Gilbert had provided foster carer placements for 29 years and had fostered an estimated 600 children.

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The Panel: noted the update.

The Panel Agreed:

That the Foster Carer Forum would forward their minutes for inclusion within the Corporate Parenting Agenda pack for Members reference.

7. MEMBERS ISSUES

There were no issues raised.

8. REPORT ON THE SERVICE DELIVERED BY THE NATIONAL YOUTH ADVOCACY SERVICE (NYAS)

The Team Manager – Specialist Commissioning Services and Project Coordinator for NYAS introduced a report to Panel Members which provided an overview of the commissioned advocacy service for Children in Care (CiC) and the issues which had arisen during the current year 14/15.


The NYAS service had been provided to Children in Care for 12 years; Service provision had been made to CiC located in residential

accommodation such as Clare Lodge and Cherry Lodge; A wishes and feelings approach was provided through the NYAS service; NYAS had been commissioned to receive 120 referrals and to date this

number had been exceeded; Out of the 521 referrals, NYAS had supported 327 CiC on more than one

occasion; A graph outlined the different case types; which had been supported such as

Looked After Children reviews; Feedback on the NYAS service received by CiC; and Referral process.

In response to a question raised by the Panel the NYAS Project Coordinator confirmed that the NYAS office was based in Huntington, however, the team would travel to wherever the CiC was located.


9. REPORT FROM THE BIRTH TO 25 DISABILITY SERVICE TEAM

The Head of Service for Looked after Children and Leaving Care introduced a report to Panel Members which provided an overview of the birth to 25 Disability Service offered to CiC.


There were currently 15 CiC supported by the birth to 25 Disability service; The service Aligned with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities reforms; The service offered short breaks for parents of children with complex needs

(Respite); There were two facilities in Peterborough, which offered Disability services for

CiC, namely Cherry Lodge and the Manor; and

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The continuation and development of a transition plan, which was to include specific training for foster care and specialist foster carers.

The Head of Service for Looked after Children and Leaving Care responded to comments and questions raised by Panel Members. In summary the responses included:

The types of disability severity supported by the Disability Service Team ranged from Autism, Down Syndrome and Paraplegic, which provided services such as respite to fulltime care, until the age of 25 had been reached. Care provision following the age of 25 would be delivered by Adult Social Care; and

Foster Care support for CiC with severe disabilities was only provided in three placements. In the main, severe disabled CiC cases would be cared for in dedicated disabled care homes such as Cherry Lodge and Link.


10. DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION – CHILDREN IN CARE

The Assistant Director, Commissioning introduced a report to Panel Members which provided an overview of the characteristics of the population of Peterborough, which included a performance report.


Understanding the Looked After Children population; Success in Foster Carer recruitment; The rates of Children and Young People in Care for Peterborough was in line

with the national average; The age of Children Looked After in Peterborough compared with the national

average. The youngest children had moved into permanent adoption; The white / other’, demographic which had included a large group, was

slightly above expected; Changes that had impacted significantly were from mainly the Eastern and

Central Eastern population, which had experienced an increase of children placed into care with ages between birth to four years old;

Children’s Services were working towards engaging with the European communities in order to recruit Foster Carers; and

The recruitment of Foster Carers in house was slightly increasing, with agency FC decreasing for Peterborough compared to the national average. The team was working towards various initiatives to reduce the number of agency foster care placements.

In response to a question raised by the Panel the Assistant Director, Commissioning advised that interpretation services were provided by the Council’s contractor Language Line, however, recently a creative approach had been explored such as the use of technological options such as google translate.


11. STAYING PUT POLICY – SIMON GREEN

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The Head of Fostering and Adoption Services introduced a report to Panel Members which provided an overview of the recent amendments to the Staying Put Policy, which was updated due to legislative changes, and had recently been adopted by Peterborough City Council. The Staying Put Policy was a financial incentive to enable young people to remain with their Foster Carers beyond the age of 18 years of age.


The Staying Put Policy was developed on a joint partnership basis with Foster Carers, social workers and PCC officers;

The Young Person in Care transition needs would be initiated as early as possible;

Young people were often not ready to move on to independent living at the age of 18; and

The challenges faced in provision of the service and budgetary implications.


12. REPORT FROM ON THE WORK OF CORPORATE PARENTING PANEL

The Head of Service for Looked after Children and Leaving Care introduced a report to Panel Members which provided an overview of the report on the work of the Corporate Parenting Panel in Municipal Year 2014/15.


Ofsted’s focus on the effectiveness of the Corporate Parenting Panel; The Panel’s commitment towards exploration and challenge of the reasons

behind complaints raised; The Panel’s pursuance in resolving issues such as the use of black bags for

the transportation of CiC belongings and the rebrand and publication of the Children in Care Pack;

Performance data and the Panel’s challenge of health assessments; ethnicity, population breakdown and education data;

Case studies received; The Panel’s support of foster carer recruitment campaign and CPP’s idea to

include advertisements on Council Tax bills; The Panel’s commitment to encourage participation of Children in Care and

Children in Care Leavers; The Panel’s continued challenge of officers; and The Panel’s important contribution to maintain effectiveness of the service.

Members commented that further work was required to encourage all Corporate Parent Members and in addition Children and Young People in Care to attend the Corporate Parenting Panel meetings.

The Head of Service for Looked after Children and Leaving Care responded to comments and questions. In summary the responses included:

Work was underway to actively encourage participation of the Children and Young People in care to attend CPP meetings. It was advised that this could involve liaison with the Youth Engagement and Participation Officer over how

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to engage the CiC on discussions regarding business items of the agenda; and

Safeguarding Families and Communities had provided a display stand at the newly elected Councillors training session.


The Panel Agreed: it was agreed to approve the report for submission to the Creating Opportunities and Tackling Inequalities Scrutiny Committee as they had requested.

13. UPDATE ON THE CHAMPIONS FOR CORPORATE PARENTING

The Head of Service for Looked after Children and Leaving Care introduced a report to Panel Members which provided an overview of the work being undertaken to improve the education, training and employment outcomes for Care Leavers through the direct intervention of the Corporate Parenting Panel and its partners.


Peterborough City Council was performing well for Education and training opportunities for Care Leavers; and

Councillor Holdich, the Champion for Educational Attainment and Access to Higher Education and had been involved in the development of a bespoke apprenticeship programme, led by the City College.

The Head of Service for Looked after Children and Leaving Care responded to comments and questions raised by Panel Members. In summary the responses included:

There were a number of Care Leavers (CL) that had been successful in careers such as nursing, however there was a small cohort of CL that had not achieved as well; and

Placement stability in terms of the Staying Put Policy was hoped to provide a better chance of success for CL career development.

The Corporate Parenting Education Champion advised the Panel that there were a total of 1390 apprenticeship placements in Peterborough, which was above the national average. It was also advised that further support by the City College had been undertaken to encourage and support those CL’s whom found it difficult to remain in an apprenticeship placement.


14. UPDATE FROM HEALTH ON INITIAL HEALTH ASSESSMENTS

The Dedicated Nurse for Children in Care provided an update on the progress of initial health assessments for CiC.

Key issues highlighted included:

The Health Team were currently operating under a fully staffed complement, with a Dr and two specialist nurses as of January 2015;

The children coming into care had increased; A key area of concern had been foetal alcohol disorder and drug misuse,

which had experienced a large impact on children and their health needs;

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The number of health assessments conducted on CiC was at a 100% completion rate;

The majority of health assessments (82%) were conducted by a paediatrician; The review health assessments were conducted by the Lead Nurse for

Children in Care Homes or the specialist nurses; and A case study was provided of a CiC’s health assessment and evaluation of

their health and wellbeing.

The Designated Nurse for Children in Care and the Head of Service for Looked after Children and Leaving Care responded to comments and questions. In summary the responses included:

There was a recruitment exercise to appoint a further Paediatrician to undertake the health care assessments for CiC;

The additional funding to increase resources had been provided by the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) as a result of influences arising from various panels in relation to CiC matters, such as the Corporate Parenting Panel and the Joint Family Commissioning Board;

Most appointments had been held within school hours, however, a level of flexibility had been recently introduced to accommodate out of school hours; and

Dr Gregory had been very dedicated in the provision of health services to CiC.

The Panel: noted the update and commented that the service had seen a marked improvement.

The Panel Also Agreed: that some examples of health assessments case studies were to be provided at each CPP meeting by the designated Nurse for Children in Care.

15. SOCIAL WORKER CASE STUDY

The Social Worker for Looked After Children gave a presentation to the Panel on the services provided by the Looked After Children Team. The Social Worker for Looked After Children also provided an example of two case studies the actions that had been implemented to provide support for the children taken into care under sections 20 and 31 of the Children’s Act.

Following a question raised by Members of the Panel, the Social Worker advised that the main symptoms of a child born with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder was that they experienced difficulty with impulse control, which had particularly impacted older children.

16. WORK PROGRAMME

The Assistant Director, Commissioning introduced the Work Programme for the Municipal Year 2014/2015.

The Panel: agreed to the Work Programme.

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17. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Corporate Parenting Champions

In a question raised regarding the work of the Corporate Parenting Champions (CPC), the Head of Fostering and Adoption confirmed that most of the roles had been allocated to Cabinet Members, however, there were a couple of vacancies in respect of Housing and Finance and Benefits.

Creating Opportunities and Tackling Inequalities Scrutiny Committee, Report on the Work of Corporate Parenting Panel Request

Members raised a concern over the request for a second report on the work of Corporate Parenting Panel (CPP) received from Creating Opportunities and Tackling Inequalities Scrutiny Committee (COTISC), as it was felt that a thorough report had recently been produced for COTISC, which outlined CPP work. Members of the CPP also commented that the COTISC may wish to consider directing any questions they had on the work of Corporate Parent Panel through Councillor Saltmarsh.

The Panel Agreed:

That the Head of Fostering and Adoption would provide a report to detail how the CPC responsibilities had been allocated to Cabinet Members and how the CPC positions were promoted to Children in Care.

The Panel Also Agreed: that consideration should be given by the Authority to include Councillors attendance figures on the Council website alongside other Council business meeting attendance.

18. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The Chairman advised that the next meeting was to be held on Wednesday, 18 March 2015 at 6.30pm, in the Bourges/Viersen Room.

CHAIRMAN6:30pm – 8:41pm

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CORPORATE PARENTING GROUP AGENDA ITEM NO. 6

18 MARCH 2014 PUBLIC REPORT

Report of the Executive Director of Children’s Services

Contact Officer(s) – Simon GreenContact Details – 01733 864571 or 07984044288

Fostering Statement of Purpose

1. PURPOSE

1.1 The National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services (2002) and the Fostering Services Regulations 2011, issued by the Secretary of State, govern the work of fostering services providers throughout England and will be used in inspecting and registering fostering agencies.

This report is being presented under the Corporate Parenting Panel’s Terms of Reference;3 i) To receive statutory reports in relation to the adoption, fostering, commissioning, looked after children (LAC) services and children’s homes with a view to recommending any changes.

2. RECOMMENDATIONS

2.1 The Panel are asked to:

1. Agree the update to the Statement of Purpose; and2. Consider and endorse service objectives.

3. LINK TO THE CHILDREN IN CARE PLEDGE

3.1 Our mission is to make the most effective use of family based placements so that we make a positive impact on the lives of children and young people who are in the care of Peterborough City Council.

As a service, we aim to promote the safety, education, health, welfare and cultural needs of children in our care by recruiting, assessing, training, developing and supervising foster carers and by providing regular support, supervision reviewing and audit processes.

This links to the Children in Care Pledge under: 1. Effective care planning; and2. Placement stability and range of high quality placement provision.

4. BACKGROUND

4.1 The Statement of Purpose is reviewed annually.

Members of the Council, managers, staff and carers all have a responsibility to make sure the Pledge to Children in Care is embraced and fulfilled. We see this as our highest priority for children in care.

5. KEY ISSUES

5.1 The Corporate Parenting Panel has a crucially important role in making sure that this happens and the business of the Panel should be constructed to help the Panel deliver its responsibilities in this regard.

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6. IMPLICATIONS

6.1 n/a

7. CONSULTATION

7.1 n/a

8. NEXT STEPS

8.1 The Statement of Purpose will be made available on the fostering services website.

9. BACKGROUND DOCUMENTSUsed to prepare this report, in accordance with the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985

9.1 The Statement of Purpose has been updated to reflect changes to the way services are delivered and the Regulatory framework governing fostering practice

10. APPENDICES

10.1 Appendix 1: Fostering Statement of Purpose

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APPENDIX 1

PETERBOROUGH CITY COUNCILCHILDREN’S SERVICES DEPARTMENT

FOSTERING STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

PUBLICATION SCHEDULE NUMBER:

PUBLICATION DATE: March 2015

AUTHORISING OFFICER: Nicola CurleyAssistant Director of Children’sSocial Care

AUTHORISING OFFICER SIGNATURE:

AUTHOR OF PUBLICATION: Simon Green

POST: Head of Children in Care, Adoption and Fostering servicesServicesDIVISION; Children’s Social Care

REVIEW DATE: March 2016

FOSTERING SERVICE ADDRESS AND CONTACT DETAILS;

The Fostering TeamFirst Floor, Bayard PlacePeterboroughPE1 1FB

Tel; 01733 317448Fax; 01733 317436

Email:[email protected]

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mailto:[email protected]

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A guide to Fostering Services provided byPeterborough City Council

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Fostering Service Mission Statement ……………………….. 3

2. Introduction ………………………………………………………. 4

3. Status and Constitution Service ……………………………… 4

4. Management Structure and Staffing …………………………. 5

5. Services Provided ……………………………………………….. 66. Aims, Objectives and Standards of Care ……………………. 9

7. Foster Carers …………………………………………………….. 11

8. Children …………………………………………………………… 12

9. Complaints ..……………………………………………………… 1310. Procedures for Recruitment, Approval, Training, Support 14

and Review of Foster Carers …………………...............

11. Fostering Panel 15

12. Quality Assurance and Strategic Planning ………………… 17

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Peterborough City CouncilFostering Service Mission Statement

Our mission is to make the most effective use of family based placements so that we make a positive impact on the lives of children and young people who are in the care of Peterborough City Council.

As a service, we aim to promote the safety, education, health, welfare and cultural needs of children in our care by recruiting, assessing, training, developing and supervising foster carers and by providing regular support, supervision reviewing and audit processes.

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1. Introduction

1.1 The National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services (2002) and the Fostering Services Regulations 2011, issued by the Secretary of State, govern the work of fostering services providers throughout England and will be used in inspecting and registering fostering agencies.

1.2 This Fostering Service Statement of Purpose has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Standards and Regulations and will be a useful source of information to members of the Council, staff, foster carers and prospective foster carers as well as children and young people who are placed with Peterborough City Council carers.

1.3 Regulation 3 of the Fostering Services Regulations 2011 and Standard 16 of the National Minimum Standards 2011 require each fostering service provider to compile a statement of purpose which includes:

The aims of objectives of the fostering service A statement as to the services and facilities to be provided

1.4 The Fostering Service provided referred to in this statement, is within t he management of Safeguarding, Families and Communities within the organisation of Peterborough City Council.

1.5 This Statement of Purpose will be reviewed and updated annually by the Service Manager for Fostering and Adoption. It will be ratified by members of the Corporate Parenting Panel.

2. Status and Constitution

2.1 Peterborough City Council Fostering Service is located at:

First Floor, Bayard PlaceBroadway Peterborough PE1 1FB

Tel; 01733 317448Fax; 01733 317436Email: [email protected]

2.2 The premises used as offices by the fostering service are fit for purpose as outlined in National Minimum Standard 17.

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3. Management Structure and Staffing

3.1 The Peterborough City Council Fostering Service reports to the Members of Peterborough City Council. The Lead Member for children is Sheila Scott and the Chief Officer responsible for the service is Lou Williams who is also located at Bayard Place, Peterborough.

3.2 Responsibility for Children’s Social Care is delegated to Nicola Curley AssistantDirector, Safeguarding, Families and Communities.

3.3 Part II of the Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 outlines the conduct of fostering agencies and local authority fostering services and therefore, the responsibilities of Peterborough City Council to ensure that ‘the fostering service is provided and managed by those who are suitable to work with children and have the appropriate skills, experience and qualification to deliver an efficient and effective service’ (NMS 17) and that ‘the fostering service is organised, managed and staffed in a manner that delivers the best possible child care that meets the individual needs of each fostered child and of foster carers.’ (NMS 17.1)

3.4 There is a Service Manager (Head of Service) who manages the Fostering Service. The Head of Service – Simon Green holds a recognised social work qualification, a qualification in management, at least two years’ experience relevant to fostering within the last five years and at least one years’ experience supervising and managing professional staff, and are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

The Fostering Service covers recruitment, supervision and support and connected persons. In addition to a Team Manager the service operates with an establishment of 11.5 qualified social workers, six of whom are Senior Practitioners. The Senior Practitioners take leads in specific areas of work.

All Social workers in the Fostering Service hold a recognised social work qualification and are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

3.5 The Fostering Service strives to provide a quality service which focuses on the impact on the children and young people in placement, and the foster carer families. The values outlined within the National Minimum Standards are central to the work of the service:

The child’s welfare, safety and needs are at the centre of their care. Children should have an enjoyable childhood, benefiting from excellent

parenting and education, enjoying a wide range of opportunities to develop their talents and skills leading to a successful adult life.

Children are entitled to grow up in a loving environment that can meet their developmental needs.

Every child should have his or her wishes and feelings listened to and taken into account.

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Each child should be valued as an individual and given personalised support in line with their individual needs and background in order to develop their identity, self-confidence and self-worth.

The particular needs of disabled children and children with complex needs will be fully recognised and taken into account.

The significance of contact for looked after children, and of maintaining relationships with birth parents and the wider family, including siblings, half - siblings and grandparents, is recognised, as is the foster carer’s role in this.

Children in foster care deserve to be treated as a good parent would treat their own children and to have the opportunity for as full an experience of family life and childhood as possible, without unnecessary restrictions.

The central importance of the child’s relationship with their foster carer should be acknowledged and foster carers should be recognised as core members of the team working with the child.

Foster carers have a right to full information about the child. It is essential that foster carers receive relevant support services and

development opportunities in order to provide the best care for children. Genuine partnership between all those involved in fostering children is

essential for the standards to deliver the best outcomes for children; thisincludes the Government, local government, other statutory agencies, fostering service providers and foster carers.

3.6 Administration support is primarily delivered by the Business Support section of the council and the Fostering Panel has dedicated administration time.

3.7 All staff are subject to the Council’s policy on recruitment, staffing, equa l opportunities and discipline. All staff are subject to regular enhanced DBS checks; safe recruitment practices take place in line with the Bichard requirements and standard 3 National Minimum Standards Fostering 2002.

4. Services Provided

4.1 Peterborough City Council Fostering Service exists to provide Foster Care for children and young people who are in the care of Peterborough City Council.

The service aims to recruit carers in sufficient numbers and with a range of skills that will allow children and young people to remain in the vicinity of their families and other support networks. It also aims to offer positive placement choice. The service offers placements with carers who meet standard 6, National Minimum Standards Fostering 2002 supported by comprehensive training, development and support.

4.2 The following types of placements are offered:

4.2.1 Long term (permanent) Duration: Until adulthoodPurpose: Permanent, substitute care

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4.2.2 Extended term, task centredDuration: Two to five yearsPurpose: To provide substitute family care where the need for ongoing work

has been identified to enable the child to achieve the outcome required by their Care Plan. An example would be the placement of a teenager who would maintain contact with their family and be prepared for independent living at 18.

4.2.3 Short termDuration: Up to two years.Purpose: To provide substitute care while a specific piece of work is carried

out such as an assessment of parents with regard to a child’srehabilitation.

4.2.4 Connected persons – (Kinship, Friends & Family)Duration: May be short or long term.Purpose: To offer care within the extended family network or by friends of a

looked after child or young person in line with the Policy and Operational Instructions of Children’s Services.

4.2.5 Parent and childDuration: Usually up to six months duration and only in very exceptional

circumstancesPurpose: To support the parent, protect the baby, assess and develop the

parent’s parenting skills.

4.2.6 RespiteDuration: 1-27 days, planned series of placements not exceeding 75 nights

per year.Purpose: To provide respite care placements to

- other foster carers according to the terms of theDepartment’s Respite Care Policy

- parents of children who have been approved as requiring such care.

4.2.7 Emergency (EDT)Duration: Up to 72 hoursPurpose: To provide emergency substitute care at very short notice e.g.

when a parent is admitted to hospital or remanded in custody.

4.2.8 Preparation for independence (Supported Lodgings)Duration: Not specified, this is dependent on the needs of the young person.Purpose: To provide care and support to a young person over 16 years of age,

with the aim of them living independently.

4.2.9 Link Care (Short breaks for children with a disability)Duration: To a maximum of 27 days, according to the needs of the parents

but not exceeding 75 nights per year.

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Purpose: To provide respite care placements to parents of children with disabilities who have been approved as requiring such care by the Disability Panel.

5 Services offered to support Foster Carers

5.1 A duty service is operated between 09.00–17.00 Monday to Friday by both the Fostering Service and the Access to Resources Team. The Access to Resources Team provides the gateway through which specific placements for children and young people are identified in consultation with the Fostering Duty Worker.

5.2 The service also provides a 24 hour telephone on call service to foster carers and is supported by the out of hour’s emergency duty team.

5.3 Each foster carer is allocated a named Supervising social worker who is responsible for enabling the foster carer to provide for the safety, education, health, welfare and cultural needs of every child placed with Peterborough City Council approved foster carers. This is undertaken through support and supervision of the fostering household, support groups and the annual foster carer review process.Carers are monitored to ensure that the services they provide to children have the optimum positive impact and that any issues of concern, allegations or complaints are dealt with in a timely and efficient manner. The Supervising social worker works in partnership with the child’s Social worker to ensure an effective service which meets each child’s needs.Supervising social workers identify and facilitate training and development

requirements of each foster carer.

5.4 Foster carers are offered respite care in line with the department’s policy,according to the needs of the child or young person for whom they are caring.

5.5 Each child placed is allocated a named Social worker who is responsible for developing, managing and progressing plans for the child, ensuring Child Care Reviews take place and ensuring carers are given robust information and paperwork to assist in their task of caring for the child.

5.6 The service is supported by a dedicated children in care nursing team who monitor the health of children in care and offer information, training, support and advice to foster carers.

5.7 Therapeutic service/support/advice is provided through dedicated Child andAdolescent Mental Health professionals.

5.8 Peterborough City Council offers direct work to children and young people in care through the Direct Intervention Service.

5.9 Children’s Services commissions an advocacy service for all children in careaged 9-17 years through an independent agency, NIYAS.

5.10 There is a Complaints Service available to foster carers, children and young people if they wish to make a compliment or complaint.

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5.11 There is a ‘Children in Care Council’ which advocates the needs of all children and young people in the care of Peterborough City Council in line with the Care Matters agenda.

5.12 Support groups for birth children of fostering carers are being developed with input and support from the Participation Officer.

5.13 The Children in Care Education Team provides specialist advice and support toFoster Carers and the children they care for in relation to education.

5.14 All children and young people in care receive a ‘LACPAC’ which is a booklet detailing a range of information. Work is currently taking place to develop a children and young people’s guide to fostering to compliment this statement of purpose.

5.15 There is representation on the Corporate Parenting Group by experienced foster carers.

5.16 The Leaving Care Team is responsible for providing support and guidance to those young people in and leaving care. Each young person is allocated a worker in this team prior to their 16th birthday and Pathway Plans are formulated to support their transition to independence. The team offers a supported lodgings scheme to provide suitable placements for young people on the verge of independence.

5.17 Finance is provided to enable children and young people in care and their foster families to participate in activities aimed at supporting the fostering community within Peterborough.

5.18 Training is provided to carers in line with their needs and development.

6 Aims Objectives and Standards of Care

6.1 The aim of Peterborough City Council in providing care for children and young people in care is to achieve the best possible outcomes. The provision of a fostering service is a key factor in the strategy of achieving this aim. The Council values the commitment, dedication and high standards of care that can be provided in foster placements.

6.2 The primary aim is to provide safe high quality family care for Peterborough ’s children and young people in care that optimises their potential and has optimum positive impact on their lives (Standard 10 NMS 2011).

The Fostering Services’ primary aims are to;

Provide a safe high quality in-house placement service for children in care so that children can enjoy sound relationships, interact positively and behave appropriately (Standard 3 and 4 NMS 2011)

Promote a positive image of fostering and provide comprehensive support for carers, carers’ children as well as the children in placement

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Ensure the child’s wishes and feelings and views of those significant are heardand acted upon whenever it is safe and appropriate to do so

Ensure children, young people and their families are provided with Foster CareServices which value diversity and promote equality (Standard 2 and 9 NMS2011)

Ensure education and achievement is actively promoted and children are supported in their development (Standard 8 NMS 2011)

Continuous recruitment and retention of high quality foster placements that can meet the varied needs of children requiring placements (Standard 13 NMS 2011)

Commit to a child/young person centred approach which includes promoting good health and well-being and ensuring children are encouraged to enjoy interests and engage in leisure activities (Standard 6 and 7 NMS 2011)

Work in partnership with all relevant professionals to ensure the best interests of the children are paramount at all times

Work in partnership with all areas of Children’s Services to ensurecomprehensive support packages are available

Actively pursue a team culture that mutually supports a clear focus on the needs, wishes and welfare of the child and is respectful of challenge and responsive to change

Develop partnerships with wider organisations, voluntary sector and independent agencies to ensure the best possible outcomes for our children

Supervise, support, encourage and train foster carers to the highest level

Contribute to the development and continuous improvement in the delivery of children’s services within the city

Commitment to the support and ongoing development of foster carers including delivery of training in line with the National Children’s Workforce Development team (Standard 20 and 21 NMS 2011)

Evaluate and review the ongoing ability of foster carers to provide care for children placed with them (Standard 20, 21 and 22 NMS 2011)

Optimise the opportunity for choice of fostering placement and resources(Standard 15 NMS 2011)

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7 Foster Carers

7.1 The Fostering Service aims to recruit a range of carers to meet the needs of children and young people who are cared for by Peterborough City Council as outlined in Standard 13 of the NMS 2011.

Peterborough City Council is aiming to recruit foster families who will reflect the ethnic and religious background of our children in care. We particularly seek carers who can offer homes to Mother and Baby placements sibling groups, children with complex needs and those willing to care for teenagers.

7.2 On the 9th February 2014 there were 129 families who foster for Peterborough City Council spread across a wide range of categories. Fostering families can be single carers or couples, gay or heterosexual. Peterborough City Council welcomes applications which reflect the diversity of our society. All foster carers are expected to deliver care in accordance with the Fostering Services Regulations and National Minimum Standards 2011.

7.3 The majority of carers live in the Peterborough area. However, there are some located in neighbouring Authorities as the service will accept applications from any perspective carers within reasonable travelling distance of the City.

The category’s in which different family placements fall are:

7.3.1 Family and Friends. These are Peterborough City Council approved foster carers who have been approved for a specific child (or children) who were previously known to them i.e. family friends or relatives (Standard 30 NMS 2011). Connected persons carers would normally receive Level 1 foster carer payments and are allocated to a supervising social worker.

7.3.2 Mainstream Foster Carer. These are carers approved by Peterborough City Council for a child or children in Care who (dependent on their experience, skill development and training) have been approved as carers for a child or children in care who matches their approval status. There is a 3- tiered accreditation scheme operational within the fostering service which relates to the skills and experience of the carer and levels of care needed by specific children.

7.3.3 Contract Care. Some children in care or sibling groups have very specific complex needs which make them very difficult to place. The contract care scheme attracts higher levels of funding for these children for a specified period of time and then is reviewed. Sometimes the service may specifically recruit carers to this scheme for identified children. Carers who offer contract care have a demonstrable history of working successfully to achieve the desired objectives for children who may display the most challenging behaviour and children with the most complex needs.

7.3.4 Respite Carers. These are carers who offer a service to families of children in need and foster carers who require respite care. They can offe r from an occasional day to a week block of care to support a family in crisis or foster family. This is an invaluable service which promotes the stability of both family and existing foster placements.

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7.3.5 Link Carers. Link carers are recruited specifically to offer short term breaks to an identified family or foster carers who care for a child with disabilities. These placements can be for a few hours or a more extended period with a limit of 120 nights per year.

7.3.6 EDT Carers. These are foster carers who provide emergency out of hours services for children and young people who need to be accommodated as an emergency during the evening, nights or weekends. They are generally carers with specific experience of caring for a wide range of children. EDT carers receive a standby rate of pay whilst they are ‘on call’ and the usual fostering rates when a child is placed with them.

7.3.7 Supported Lodgings Providers. These are carers who provide placements for children aged 16+ to enable them to move into the world of independent living. Carers in this category may be recruited specifically or may be foster carers for young people prior to them turning 18.

8 Fostering Allowances

8.1 Allowances and agreed expenses are paid to foster carers which cover the full cost of caring for each child or young person placed with them (Standard 28 NMS2011). The allowance for the child is in line with that recommended by TheFostering Network.

8.2 The differing levels of payment allowances reflect the type of placement re quired for a child and the skill and experience of the foster carer. The allowance is to remunerate carers for the costs inherent in looking after a child and does not specifically constitute a wage. Unless, in contract care situations this has been negotiated as there is a need for the carers to remain at home to provide the adequate levels of care for the placement.

8.3 A proportion of the allowance is allocated as a personal allowance for the child.Payment rates will be found in the Foster Carer Payments Booklet.

9 Children

9.1 The number of children placed in foster care varies due to their ongoing plans and numbers of children requiring emergency placements. As at 09.02.2014 there were 360 children and young people Looked After with 175 children placed with in-house foster carers

9.2 The age range of children placed is birth to 18 years. The length of stay is dependent upon the type and reason for placement ranging from a few days to the point at which the child reaches the age to live independently. Every child has a Care Plan, which is reviewed at a maximum of 6 monthly periods in line with statutory duties outlined in the Children Act 1989. Each LAC review is chaired by an independent person who seeks to ensure the Care Plan is still the appropriate path for the child or young person and their needs are fully met.

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9.3 Where appropriate a plan to develop and maintain family contact and friendships for each child or young person is set out in the Care Plan and foster placement agreement as outlined in Standard 9 NMS 2011. Foster Placement Agreement meetings occur in a timely fashion and discuss all matters relating to the provision for the child, as outlined in Schedule 2 of the Fostering Services Regulations 2011.

10 Complaints

10.1 All children and young people, their representatives, families and other persons including staff and foster carers have access to the statutory complaints processes operated by the local authority. Staff receiving complaints presented by (or on behalf of) anyone receiving a Children’s Social Care Service will follow the Children’s Social Care complaints procedure available through Insite.

10.2 An emphasis is placed on resolving complaints at an immediate local level, i.e.Stage 1 informal problem solving and these are usually dealt with by the fosteringsocial worker and the team manager. Complaints by a child in care may be moved straight to Stage 2 of the process (Independent Investigation). Stage 2 complaints are those where stage 1 has been exhausted and/or where the complainant has elected to invoke stage 2.

10.3 Children’s Social Care has a Children’s Participation Officer (CPO) whose role it is to develop links with children and young people in care, including their key contribution to service design and development. The CPO can also raise issues on behalf of children and liaises with the Independent Advocacy Provider

10.4 There were 3 formal complaints in relation to the Fostering Service between01/04/13 and 31/01/14:

10.5 The Complaints Team can be contacted at:

Peterborough City CouncilCentral Complaints ServicesBayard Place Broadway Peterborough PE1 1FBTel: 01733 747474

Comments on the Fostering Service can also be made to OFSTED at the address given on Page 16 of this statement.

11 Procedures for the Recruitment, Approval, Training, Support and Review ofFoster Carers

11.1 Peterborough City Council Fostering Service ensures its practice at all times is compliant with the Fostering Services Regulations and National Minimum Standards 2011. Policies in relation to the recruitment, assessment, approval training management and support of foster carers at all times reflects the expectation set down in national guidance.

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11.2 The assessment and approval processes used by Peterborough City Council is governed by Standard 13 and 14 of the NMS 2011.

11.3 On receiving an enquiry from potential carers, the service undertakes an initial assessment based on a telephone discussion. Literature giving details about the work of the agency and an information pack is posted to enquirers on the same or next working day.

11.4 An initial visit will take place in the home of the prospective foster carer by a supervising social worker, which will outline the requirements of becoming an approved foster carer. An initial visit form is completed.

11.5 The potential carer completes an application form giving detailed information about themselves, their family and written consents for the service to complete necessary checks and enquiries to ascertain their suitability to foster (Standard13 NMS 2011).

11.6 References obtained include: Enhanced DBS checksHealth Service – G.P. Other Local AuthoritiesIdentity checksRelationship statusPersonal referencesPrevious significant others, e.g. former partnersDBS checks are required on all persons in the household over 16 years.

11.7 The applicant is required to have a medical examination completed by their GPand made available to the services medical advisor for comment.

11.8 The applicants are asked to provide at least three personal referees who will provide references and be prepared to be interviewed in respect of the assessment process. One of these must be a family member. Other references may be required as necessary to the application.

11.9 Preparation / training courses entitled ‘Skills to Foster’ (Fostering Network course) are provided which cover the responsibilities of being a foster carer and working with the local authority. These training courses are mandatory attendance and participation is monitored and assessed and form part of the assessment process.

11.10 A supervising social worker undertakes a full assessment based on the BAAF Form F assessment. Visits are made to the applicant’s home at least on 6-8 occasions to meet, collate information about all members of the household and applicants experience and skills in relation to fostering.

11.11 Applicants own children are involved in the assessment process.

11.12 The content of the social worker’s assessment is shared with the applicants for their comments and then presented to the Fostering Panel, to which the applicants are invited to attend.

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11.13 The Fostering Panel makes timely, quality and appropriate recommendations in line with the overriding objective to promote the welfare of children in foster care (Standard 14 NMS 2011).

11.14 The Panel makes recommendation to the Agency Decision Maker who considers all the information and makes a final recommendation. The Agency Decision Maker for Peterborough City Council is Nicola Curley, Assistant Director, Safeguarding Families and Communities.

11.15 Applicants are informed in writing about the agency decision within five working days.

11.16 The assessment process takes 6-8 months on average and every effort is made to ensure there is no unavoidable delay. All information obtained about the prospective carer is maintained / retained in accordance with Regulations 30 – 32FSR 2011, Standard 26 NMS 2011.

11.17 Where the ADM determination is not to approve, the carers are able to make representation to the foster panel and / or to apply to the Independent Review mechanism for a review of the qualifying determination Regulation 28 (7) FSR2011.

12 Fostering Panel

12.1 Peterborough City Council Fostering Panel ensures timely, quality and appropriate recommendations are made about the approval of foster carers in line with the over riding objective to promote and safeguard the welfare of children in Foster care, as outlined by Standard 14 NMS 2011. Peterborough City Council Fostering service maintains a central list of people who are deemed to be suitable to be members of the Fostering Panel.

12.2 The Fostering Panel constitution is made up of independent and in-house panel members. Panel sits approximately every 4 weeks to consider the approval of new foster carers, reviews of existing foster carers and the de-registration or withdrawal of approval of foster carers. Additional Panels will be convened as necessary.

12.3 The Fostering Panel is compliant with Regulation 23-25 Fostering Regulations2011 and chaired independently. The Panel Chair and Panel Advisor meet on a quarterly basis with the Agency Decision Maker to discuss practice and issues. The panel is administrated by a dedicated Panel Administrator which enables the requirements of Regulation 24 to be met.

12.4 The fostering service is registered with OFSTED-

OFSTEDBuilding C Cumberland Way NottinghamNG1 6HJ

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Tel; 08456404040Fax; 08456404049Email; [email protected]

12.5 For any further information please contact:

The Fostering Service Manager Peterborough City Council Children’s Social CareBayard PlacePeterborough PE1 1FB01733 864018

13 Learning and Development

13.1 Peterborough City Council ensures foster carers receive the training and development they need to carry out their role effectively (Standard 20 NMS2011).

13.2 Training is a mandatory requirement for the continued registration of foster cares.Training is provided to:

13.2.1 Enable foster carers develop their skills and knowledge

13.2.2 Encourage foster carers to reflect and learn about their practice and impact of their parenting approach on the children and young people they look after

13.2.3 Ensure foster carers are competent and confident in safe caring and protecting children form harm

13.2.4 Encourage foster carers to take responsibility for their own professional development through the creation of individual training profiles.

13.3 A comprehensive training programme is developed annually. In addition carers have access to the Local Safeguarding Board Training and other relevant courses.

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14 Support for Carers

14.1 Peterborough City Council fostering service provides support and supervision for foster carers and helps them develop their skills in accordance with Standard 21 and 22 NMS 2011.

14.2 Peterborough City Council Fostering Service has full membership of BAAF and Fostering Network. All carers have individual membership of Fostering Network from whom they can gain additional advice and support.

14.3 The Foster Carer Handbook is issued to all foster carers. It represents a combination of practical information, guidance and material for carers to use as a reference and support in the care of a child or young person.

14.4 A newsletter entitled ‘The Fostering News’ is sent to all carers every two months.It includes new ideas and developments within the fostering services andsubmissions from the carers themselves.

15 Review of Foster Carers

15.1 Every foster carer for Peterborough City Council is reviewed by the fostering service on an annual basis in accordance with Regulation 28 FRS 2011. This review includes an assessment; comments from the carer; the carers own children, any children or young people placed with the carers and that child’s social worker. Health checks, DBSs and all supplementary assessments, e.g. Safer Caring, Pet Assessment, etc. are undertaken as required.

15.2 The primary functions of the process are to appraise the standard and competency of the carer, relate to the care provided. This information contributes to the overall purpose of the review which is to assess whether the carers and their household are suitable to continue to foster and that the terms of approval continue to be appropriate.

The Agency Decision Maker makes the decision regarding the continuation of approval. The first review is always considered by the Fostering Panel.

The IRM will give prospective and current foster carers the option of having their case reviewed by an independent panel where their fostering service provider proposes to turn down their application to be a foster carer, or to revoke or amend the terms of their existing approval (Regulation 28 and 29 FRS 2011).

16 Quality Assurance and Strategic Planning

16.1 Information is kept on a range of issues which allows for analysis and strategic planning of the service in line with the information received. Information is kept and monitored on issues such as:

15.1.1 Disruption rates

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15.1.2 Number of referrals of children/ young people by age, ethnicity, gender, religion, culture, disability

15.1.3 Numbers of enquiries to approval

15.1.4 Numbers of carers by age, ethnicity, religion, gender and disability

15.1.5 Compliance in relation to annual reviews

15.1.6 Complaints

15.1.7 Allegations

16.2 Such sets of data form statistical records. Analysis of this data provides managers with information that enables a judgement to be made on the quality of the services offered. It also facilitates strategic planning.

16.3 All records which contain significant information relevant to the running of the fostering service are kept and stored in line with Standard 17, 18, 25 and 27 NMS2011.

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CORPORATE PARENTING PANEL AGENDA ITEM NO. 7




Adoption Report - March 2015

1. PURPOSE

1.1 CPP will want to see a regular report and to be reassured that children and young people are being listened to and are influencing their care plans wherever possible.

This report is being presented under the Corporate Parenting Panel’s Terms of Reference;3 i) To receive statutory reports in relation to the adoption, fostering, commissioning, looked after children (LAC) services and children’s homes with a view to recommending any changes.

2. RECOMMENDATIONS

2.1 The Panel are asked to note and consider the findings of the report.


3.1 This links to the Children in Care Pledge under:

1. Effective care planning; and2. Placement stability and range of high quality placement provision.

4. BACKGROUND

4.1 Members of the Council, managers, staff and carers all have a responsibility to make sure the Pledge to Children in Care is embraced and fulfilled. We see this as our highest priority for children in care.

5. KEY ISSUES

5.1 The Corporate Parenting Panel has a crucially important role in making sure that this happens and the business of the Panel should be constructed to help the Panel deliver its responsibilities in this regard.

6. IMPLICATIONS

6.1 The purpose of the service is to increase the number of children in care who achieve permanence through adoption, Special Guardianship Orders or placement with family and friends.

7. CONSULTATION

7.1 N/A

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8. NEXT STEPS

8.1 The Statement of Purpose will become available to the public

9. BACKGROUND DOCUMENT

9.1 N/A

10. APPENDICES

10.1 Appendix 1 - ADOPTION REPORT – Apr 2014 – Feb 2015

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APPENDIX 1

ADOPTION REPORT – Apr 2014 – Feb 2015

CONTENT

1.0 Corporate parenting core values

2.0 Improving Permanence

3.0 Driving Improved practice

4.0 Description of the Adoption Service

5.0 Our six Departmental Priorities

6.0 How the adoption service will deliver on the priorities

7.0 Our key areas of good practice are

8.0 What’s new – Fostering to Adopt

9.0 Our key achievements in 2013-14 were

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1. Corporate parenting core values

1. Assertive prevention of care

2. Effective care planning

3. Placement stability and range of high quality placement provision

4. Health issues of children and young people in care

5. Educational attainment and achievement

6. Being part of a community

2. Improving permanence

We are committed to improving permanence planning for all looked after children. This work

includes:

Reviewing Peterborough’s performance against aspects of the statutory framework to ensure that

we support all permanence options and timely decision making for all children

Identifying and supporting evidence based interventions which drive improved practice and a

better quality of care

Strengthening the framework for children to move into permanence arrangements such as

adoption, special guardianship, returning home and long term foster care where this is

appropriate

3. Driving improved practice

We:

put the voices of children, young people and their families at the heart of service design and

delivery

deliver services that are tailored to the individual and diverse needs of children and young people

by ensuring effective joint commissioning and integrated professional working

develop services that address health and wellbeing and promote high-quality care

encourage warm and caring relationships between child and carer that nurture attachment and

create a sense of belonging so that the child or young person feels safe, valued and protected

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help children and young people to develop a strong sense of personal identity and maintain the

cultural and religious beliefs they choose

ensure young people are prepared for and supported in their transition to adulthood

support the child or young person to participate in the wider network of peer, school and

community activities to help build resilience and a sense of belonging ensure children and young

people have a stable experience of education that encourages high aspiration and supports them

in achieving their potential.

4. Description of the adoption service

Peterborough City Council is a dynamic adoption agency which has approved many adopters and

successfully completed hundreds of Adoption Orders over a long history. We offer a range of training

and support services to Peterborough’s adopters all provided by locally based and experienced staff,

and have strong, established links with our neighbouring authorities.

We offer guaranteed call backs within one working day, and as we focus on finding the best possible

matches for our children in care, we are not recruiting to specific criteria and would like to talk anyone

who wants to talk about adoption regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, disability, religion or sexual

orientation.

5. Our Six Departmental Priorities

Raising quality of practice

Ensuring that the needs of looked after children are met

Increasing placement choice

Commitment to developing a sustainable workforce

Better multi-agency support for Children In Need

To listen and learn from children and families in order to improve the quality of services

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6. How the adoption service will deliver on the departmental priorities.

1. Raising quality of practice

We will achieve this objective by:

Demonstrating the ability to access and make critical use of relevant knowledge and evidencing

this through the analysis within PAR assessments achieving good timescales for adoptive

families.

Developing and implementing a family finding plan to be used for all children where there is a

plan for adoption, to bring consistency across the service and to improve timescales for children.

Ensuring that training for adoptive families is well organised, considers the diversity of attendees,

is relevant, and prepares adopters to meet the challenges of becoming adoptive parents.

We will know that we have achieved our objective when

Monitoring and feedback by the Team Manager and adoption panel. The percentage of adopters

being assessed within 6 months will increase.

A family finding plan is used for all children with a plan for adoption and timescales reduce.

Feedback from prospective adopters reflects the above.

2. Ensuring that the needs of looked after children are met

We will achieve this objective by

Developing an information session for family and friends of adopters to ensure that adopters’

support networks understand the challenges of parenting an adopted child.

The adoption service being represented at legal planning meetings where there is a plan for

adoption to ensure that early planning can occur for the child.

To review the current adoption support process to ensure that it is offering consistency of quality

to service users.

We will know that we have achieved our objective when

Feedback following the sessions and adopter ‘exit’ questionnaires is positive.

Adoption team attendance at legal planning meetings occurs.

We have an updated adoption support plan, to be monitored by the service and through exit

questionnaires.

3. Increasing placement choice


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Undertaking PAR assessments in which the suitability of the applicants as Fostering For

Adoption Carers is always considered.

Developing our range of recruitment methods and opportunities in conjunction with the

Recruitment and Marketing manager.

Continuing to use the Adoption Activity Days as a family finding method for children and to

develop and implement a local activity day / exchange day to ensure that children have optimum

opportunities to find an adoptive family within good timescales.

We will know that we have achieved our objective when:

All PAR assessments contain the applicants’ views on becoming FFA adopters.

Alternative recruitment methods have been identified and utilised.

Activity days are embedded within the family finding plan and considered as an option for all

children. Local activity / exchange days are in use within PCC and timescales for children

moving in with their adoptive families is reduced.

4. Commitment to developing a sustainable workforce


Improving the opportunities for social workers to develop services and become an expert by

taking the lead role in a specific area of the service.

The team will be given regular feedback about the progress of the team’s performance against

objectives to enable greater cohesion and ownership.

Developing a system of easily accessible resources (toolkit) for the adoption team to support staff

development.


Social workers will take the lead for an identified area of need within the service.

Performance meetings and team meetings will have standing agenda items to give feedback

about performance.

A toolkit and resources are available and well-used, to be monitored in team meetings / practice

workshops / supervision.

5. Better multi-agency support for Children In Need


Formalising the practice around Life Appreciation Days and developing a process to raise and

bring consistency to practice across the service.

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Keep updated about the proposals for the Adoption Passport for adoption support services, to

enable processes and policy to be changed to reflect new regulations.

Continuing to build on current partnership working with key professionals involved in the

children’s and families’ lives, and developing interagency working partnerships to increase

opportunities for adoption support in adopters’ and children’s own localities.


There is a well-established process for Life appreciation Days which contributes to the effective

information sharing about a child. To be monitored through post event questionnaires and exit

questionnaires.

The proposed system for the adoption passport is embedded and accessible for all adoptive

children and families.

The feedback from partner agencies is strong and there are new opportunities for adopters and

children to meet with others.

6. To listen and learn from children and families in order to improve the quality of services


Developing a system of feedback of prospective and approved adopters which monitors, reviews

and evaluates our practice, and to prepare a process map of feedback points and the

mechanism.

Analysing the children’s questionnaires and to develop a system for the ongoing feedback

collection and their analysis.

Developing the use of alternative methods of feedback to take advantage of web based and

electronic methods and to reflect the diversity of the individuals giving feedback.


There is a feedback process map which is embedded in the service.

Children’s views are captured and analysed on a six monthly basis to inform service

development.

Alternative feedback methods have been introduced.

7.0 Our key areas of good practice are:

Offering a welcoming front door service to adoption enquirers. A ‘secret shopper’ facility was

used and reported on a welcoming, informative and professional response by our duty workers.

Embracing creative and innovative methods of adopter recruitment.

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Providing high quality support to birth families to maintain contact with their adopted children.

Giving good quality support to new adoptive families to help during the introductions and

adjustment period, through working in partnership with the psychology service.

8.0 What’s new?

Fostering for Adoption (FFA)

There are two new routes to adoption emerging as we at Peterborough Adoption introduce ‘Fostering for

Adoption’ and ‘Concurrent Planning’. Fostering for Adoption places a child with foster carers who are

also approved as adopters when the child has a plan for adoption.

A Fostering for Adoption placement will only be made where we have clear evidence that there is very

little likelihood that the birth parents can resolve their problems or that other family members can take

care of the child.

If the court agrees that the child should be adopted and we approve the ‘match’ between the carers as

adopters and the child, it becomes an adoption placement.

…and what about concurrent planning?

Concurrency is similar to fostering for adoption in that a carer is dually approved as foster carer and an

adopter, however for these children decisions are still being made about their future and consideration is

given to whether they can return to birth family members or the child will be adopted. During this time the

child’s parents or extended family members are assessed to see whether the child can return to them. If

no suitable carer within the family can be identified, the child can then be adopted by their concurrent

carers who become the legal parents.

Concurrent placements are best suited for babies from birth to two years where we believe there is at a

high likelihood that the child will be placed for adoption.

Adoption Activity Days (adoption parties)

PCC was involved in the pilot for activity days as part of the East Midlands Consortium. Since then

these events have taken off as a way of family finding for children who are considered harder to place.

They have found homes for 20% of children who may not have found a home previously.

Using the experience that we have gained in being involved with the pilot, gave the adoption service the

confidence to hold its own activity day last year. This was very positively received by all who attended.

“We really enjoyed meeting the children and gained a more detailed insight to raising the children

from the foster carers.” A prospective adopter.

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Social media

Follow us on twitter and facebook! We are pleased to be able to reach out to people by social media,

recognising that this is a key method to recruit and retain interest in adoption and to give people up to

date information and advice. Our website is the most common way that enquirers contact us.

Adoption support

A monthly ‘Play and Stay’ group for adoptive parents and young children started in January 2014 and is

held in Hampton Vale. It is going from strength to strength with 15 – 20 regular attendees, giving new

adopters the opportunity to make links with other families in the same situation.

The Adoption Support Fund

The government has pledged nineteen million pounds to the adoption support fund which adoptive

parents will be able to access through their adoption agency for therapeutic support for their children

from May 2015. This is a brand new initiative and we already have assessments in place to make the

applications for some of our children.

9.0 As we draw to the end of the 2014 – 15 our key achievements are:

38 new adoptive families - with a further 3 attending panel before the end of the year. If all

approved we will have achieved 41 new adoptive families for Peterborough children and other

children needing adoptive homes. This is 12 more than last year’s figure of 29 – a tremendous

output from the team.

30 adoption orders - have been made for PCC children which is already an increase on last

year’s 27. This figure is expected to increase before the end of the year.

170 enquiries (by end of January) – well on the way to achieve our target of 180.

Successful recruitment of Fostering For Adoption carers. A third of the new families

approved would like to be considered for having children through this route.

6 babies have been placed with their new families on a FFA basis since 1 January 2014,

allowing them to live with the family that will go on to be their forever family from the earliest

opportunity.

Adoption Activity Days have become part of our route to find families for our harder to place

children, and for families to find children.

44

Our own Adoption Activity Day in August 2014 at Eye Village Hall was a great success with

families being found for 6 children.

Stability of placements – very low disruption rates. No disruptions for the year to date have

been reported.

45


46

CORPORATE PARENTING GROUP AGENDA ITEM NO. 8




CORPORATE PARENTING CHAMPIONSHIPS

1. PURPOSE

1.1 The re-launch of the role of Corporate Parenting Panel Champions

This report is being presented under the Corporate Parenting Panels Terms of Reference;3 ix) To appoint elected members as Champions for Children in Care in respect of the following strands:

• Housing;• Employment and training opportunities within council departments and

with partner agencies;• Health; • Educational Attainment and access to Higher Education;• Recreation and Leisure activities; and• Finance and benefits.

2. RECOMMENDATIONS

2.1 To consider and endorse the proposal and recommendations outlined within appendix 1.


3.1 5. Educational attainment and achievement

4. BACKGROUND

4.1 Members of the Council, managers, staff and carers all have a responsibility to make sure the Pledge to Children in Care is embraced and fulfilled. We see this as our highest priority for children in care.

5. KEY ISSUES

5.1 The Corporate Parenting Panel has a crucially important role in making sure that this happens and the business of the panel should be constructed to help the panel deliver its responsibilities in this regard.

6. IMPLICATIONS

6.1 The purpose of this re-launch is to further develop the involvement of members and improve outcomes for Children of Young people in care by outstanding Corporate parenting across the council.

47

7. CONSULTATION

7.1 N/A

8. NEXT STEPS

8.1 To be confirmed by the CPP

9. BACKGROUND DOCUMENT

9.1 N/A

10. APPENDICES

10.1Appendix 1 - Corporate Parenting Championships – re-launch

48

APPENDIX 1

Corporate Parenting Championships – re-launchBackground

At a Corporate Parenting Panel (CPP) meeting held in July 2012 it was agreed that children and young people in care would benefit from Councillors championing the corporate parenting role across the different areas of Peterborough City Council.

It was felt that Members in strategic positions could help to ensure the needs of children and young people in care were always high on the agenda of all council activity.

The ‘Champion’ appointments were confirmed by an email invitation being sent to all Members as Corporate Parents. Following receipt of volunteer submissions, the CPP champion’s and areas of focus was confirmed in July 2012. This is recorded as follows:

Housing - Cllr Saltmarsh Employment - Cllr Day Health - Cllr Lamb Education - Cllr Holdich Leisure - Cllr Lee Finance - Cllr Seaton

A report for each area would be presented to the CPP for the Panel to ensure the needs of children in care were being promoted.

Progress

A report on recreation of Leisure and Education attainment have been received by Panel.

Next steps

At a more recent meeting, members were keen to re-launch the important role of champions to further improve the statutory role of the CCP and to provide reassurance that a systemic approach to corporate parenting was being applied at the Creative Opportunity and Tackling Inequalities Scrutinising Committee.

Recommendations

I therefore propose the following:

1. The allocated champions list should be refreshed.

2. A letter invitation sent to all members as corporate parents requesting volunteers to become CPC (corporate parenting champions)

3. From voluntary submission, at the following CPP, champions will be allocated. In addition lead officers will also be assigned who will support members to complete the necessary reporting.

4. A letter sent to newly appointed champions confirming their appointment and clearly listing the expectations of the role.

5. Report from Corporate Parenting Champions to be a standard item of the work programme going forward.

6. CPP will receive annual reports for each of the areas listed above.

49

7. Outcomes of this reporting style will lead to developments in improvements to access of services for Children in Care. These improved outcomes can then be reported to statutory committees as requested.

Simon Green – Head of Service for LAC, Adoption and Fostering

March 2015

50

CORPORATE PARENTING GROUP AGENDA ITEM NO. 9a



Contact Officer(s) – Belinda EvansContact Details - 01733 296324

Complaints on behalf of Looked After Children

1. PURPOSE

1.1 This report is presented to detail the complaints received from or on behalf of Children who are ‘Looked After’ by the Local Authority since April 1st 2014

This report is to be considered as part of the Corporate Parenting Terms of Reference 3.ii) Ensure that the profile of the corporate parenting agenda is incorporated into key plans, policies and strategies through out the Council overseeing interagency working arrangements. Ensure feedback from the complaints and quality assurance officer in respect of children and young people in care and care leavers is fully utilised.

2. RECOMMENDATIONS

2.1 Members of the Corporate Parenting Group were requested to review the complaints received and provide any feedback.

3. LINKS TO THE CHILDREN IN CARE PLEDGE

3.1 The children in care pledge says that Peterborough City Council will give children in care information on how to make a complaint or compliment. An update to every Corporate Parenting meeting on all complaints received from children who are being looked after ensures that this requirement is being monitored.

4. BACKGROUND

4.1 The Panel have asked the complaints service to provide regular updates of the complaints received from and on behalf of Looked After Children.

5. KEY ISSUES

5.1 No key issues identified.

6. IMPLICATIONS

6.1 There are no implications to consider at the present time.

7. CONSULTATION

7.1 Not applicable.

51

8. NEXT STEPS

8.1 This report is for information only.


9.1 No background documents used

10. APPENDICES

10.1 Appendix 1 - Volumes and Performance Appendix 2 - Detail of complaints

52

Appendix 1

March 2015

Purpose of Report

The Central complaints team are responsible for receiving and recording complaints from children, parents and carers about Children’s Social Care services as a whole and full detail of all these complaints are reported to Scrutiny in an annual report each year. A percentage of the total complaints received are from Looked After Children or their foster carers on their behalf and this report looks exclusively at these complaints.

Year to Date 2014/15

The following information is for the current year from 01.04.14 to 03.03.2015 inclusive.

Volumes

13 complaints received in total so far this year

For Which teams:-

7 complaints were directed at the Leaving Care service1 complaint was directed at the Fostering team4 complaints were directed at the Looked After Children team1 complaint was directed at the First Response team

Over the past 2 months there has been 1 new complaint by a Care leaver. This is a decrease on the previous 2 months reported where 5 new complaint were received. We have already exceeded the number of complaints received in the 12 months of 2013/14.

Last year complaints reportable to Corporate Parenting accounted for approximately 10% of the complaints received for Children’s Social Care department as a whole. Currently at 13 complaints out of the 111 received this year by Children’s Social Care as a whole this equates to this is to 11.7% a marginal increase.

Accessibility

Received From:-

7 by young people independently5 by a young person supported by a NYAS advocate1 by a foster carer on behalf of the child in their care

53

Appendix 1

It is clear that young people have access to the complaints process either independently or using the advocacy service. We are seeing an increase in the number of young people that are not using the advocacy service to make their complaint. When the year is concluded an age analysis will be completed to see if the average age of complainants has changed.

Timescales

There is an expectation within the statutory complaints regulations that the majority of Stage 1 complaints should be responded to within 10 working days with the maximum time permitted being 20 working days.

This year the performance is:-

11 complaints were responded to within 20 working days1 complaint was responded to after 20 working days1 complaint is outstanding a response.

The average response time this year for this client group currently sits at 16 working days.

The senior management team within Childrens Social Care receive a weekly report from the Complaints service so they are always aware which complaints need a response and can discuss progress with individual team managers as required. It is hoped that this will ensure a quicker response time is achieved on average by the year end.

Complaint Types

Delay/Failed service - 10 complaintsStaff Attitude/conduct – 1 complaintNot to Standard - 1 complaintAbout Policy – 1 complaint

Delay/Failed service is the most common complaint category for all council services. Clearly where young people believe there has been an unacceptable delay in the service or there has been a failure in the service being provided to them they are confident in bringing this to the attention of the complaint service.

Outcomes

4 Upheld2 Not Upheld6 Partially Upheld 1 Outstanding a response

54

Appendix 1

The upheld rate for complaints made by Children and Young People that are Looked After/Leaving Care is significantly higher than for complaints made against Childrens Social Care as a whole. It could be deduced from this that young people in care are much more likely to raise complaints that have merit than other service users accessing Childrens Social Care services. There is no evidence to suggest this is due to any systemic service failures in the teams that these complaints generally relate to, namely Looked After Children and Leaving Care.

Service Improvements & Monitoring Action is taken

Most upheld complaints result in some action being agreed to resolve the complaint. Occasionally when a complaint is not upheld there may still be a resolution offered to improve the young person’s situation.

There has been two service improvements identified amongst the 13 cases which have had a response this year. Confirmation that these service improvements have been delivered is currently being sought from the Service manager concerned and can be reported in more detail to the Committee – hopefully at the next meeting.

Currently in the department there is a process for reviewing that identified service improvements are being delivered. This process now includes ensuring actions agreed on individual cases as well as service improvements are delivered.

55


56

APPENDIX 2

Receipt Date Team name and Person complaining

Ref Stage 1 Final response

Description Complaint Category

S1 Outcome S1 Action Details S1 Svc Improvements

01/05/2014 Leaving Care(Young Person)

CS14/008 22/05/2014 Complaint regarding the lack of support from SW in Leaving Care Department

Delayed/failed service

Partially Upheld Apology offered for feeling unsupported, actions agreed with Support worker to assist with HB backdate/ overpayments etc

07/05/2014 Fostering(Child)

CS14/011 02/06/2014 Unhappy with the conduct of placement Foster Carer


Not Upheld Goodwill gesture of £100.00 offered

01/07/2014 Leaving Care (Young Person)

CS14/034 05/08/2014 Delays in CSC department applying for passport & not wanting to be in care anymore.


Partially Upheld Apology offered for failure to apply for passport resulting in complainant missing out on a holiday. Passport application is now being processed. Referred to independent advice to challenge the decision by CSC that the child remains in care.

08/07/2014 Leaving Care (Young Person and NYAS)

CS14/036 28/07/2014 Concerns regarding the decision to give a 28 day notice to move from current children's home to a semi-independent unit, request for a freeze on placement move whilst complaint is investigated


Upheld Apology offered for unclear communication and experience.

Identified need for better communication and closer working with young people in this situation. Better planning needs to be put in place regarding transition into independence. Commissioning service (ART) will be asked to review with providers how they give notice to placements so that no future misunderstandings occur.


CS14/058 17/09/2014 Complaint that CSC have not paid for complainant to visit Ireland following her Mother’s death 4 years ago


Upheld Apologies sent for delay in arranging visit and will now look into the visit

57

APPENDIX 2





05/09/2014 Looked After Children team(Foster Carer)

CS14/065 19/09/2014 Foster carer complaining about the delay in returning child to their family, change of SW and lack of guidance/ training on what a Residence Order means.


Upheld New Social Worker as previous one left. Arrangement of a Legal Planning Meeting

29/10/2014 Leaving Care (Young Person)

CS14/076 13/11/2014 Complainant unhappy they have not received the correct level of support from leaving Care Team regarding previously agreed financial support


Upheld Agreed to pay first year of education and first years’ accommodation. Apologised for unacceptable delays and lack of communication. Will be allocated a Personal Advisor once one is available

21/11/2014Looked After Children team(Young Person with NYAS advocate)

CS14/083 18/12/2014 Unhappy with conduct of SW

Staff Attitude/Conduct

Partially Upheld Young person should be told when decisions affecting them are being submitted to Panel and receive feedback from SW about the outcome of the panel. In future SW will ensure this happens

25/11/2014 Looked After Children team(Young Person with NYAS advocate)

CS14/084 10/12/2014 Unhappy with the manner in which Foster Carer assisted with move to new placement

Not To Standard Partially Upheld Acknowledged complainant felt hurt by certain actions. Apology offered for SW agreeing clothes could be packed in bin bags for move to new placement. Apologised for delay in getting possessions to customer more quickly. Goodwill gesture offered for a gift to the value of £30.00

Assured customer the team will do better from now on when advising on placement moves. Assured that Social Workers will advise Foster Carers from now on that preparation for a young person’s exit from a foster home should be planned and only take place with the appropriate luggage.

58

APPENDIX 2





25/11/2014 Looked After Children team(Young Person with NYAS advocate

CS14/085 18/12/2014 Unhappy with lack of contact and response from SW and also that request to remain with Foster Carer has not been addressed


Partially Upheld

Partially Upheld Manager agreed that there has been a lack of telephone contact from SW and more frequent phone contact needed in future. SW should have responded to previous letter, SW will now respond to letter.

19/12/2014 First Response(Care Leaver)

CS14/093 12.01.2015 Unhappy that Social Workers have visited his family members to make them aware of his convictions and risk to children

About policy Not Upheld


CS14/095 Response Outstanding

Unhappy that her money is not in her bank yet and CSC will not pay it by cash.


Partially Upheld Apology offered for delay in payment. Agreed to not request the refund of the cash payment.


CS14/104 Response Outstanding

Complaint regarding the handling of compensation from Criminal Injuries


59


60

CORPORATE PARENTING PANEL AGENDA ITEM NO. 9b


REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN’S SERVICES

Contact Officer(s): Nicola CurleyContact Details: 01733 864065

UPDATE ON CURRENT PLACEMENTS OF CHILDREN IN CARE

1. PURPOSE AND REASON FOR REPORT

1.1

1.2

To update the Corporate Parenting Panel in respect of the numbers of children and young people currently being looked after by the Council and to provide a break down of the types of placements in which they are living. The report also provides information about the age, gender and ethnicity of those children and young people.

This report is being presented under the Corporate Parenting Panels Terms of Reference;3 i) To receive statutory reports in relation to the adoption, fostering, commissioning, looked after children (LAC) services and children’s homes with a view to recommending any changes.

2. RECOMMENDATIONS


3. CHILDREN IN CARE PLEDGE

3.1 This falls under Priority 3: Placement stability and range of high quality placement provision and covers ‘Reduction in the number of children in residential placements.

4. BACKGROUND

4.1 The Corporate Parenting Panel should be updated about basic placement information at every meeting.

5. KEY ISSUES

5.1 None

6. IMPLICATIONS

6.1 None

7. CONSULTATION

7.1 N/A

8. NEXT STEPS

1

61



9.1 None

10. APPENDICES

10.1 Appendix 1 – CLA Performance Data January 2015

2

62

APPENDIX 1

Information relating to placements for Looked After Children

On the 31 January there were 354 Looked after Children in Peterborough.

157 children were placed with foster carers who work for Peterborough City Council (in

house)

112 children were in foster care and placed with independent fostering agencies (IFA’S).

The agency works with the Local Authority on a contractual basis to provide foster

placements.

23 post 16 years olds were living on their own (independent living) but still classed as LAC

with an allocated Social Worker. Independent living assists the young person with the

transition to leaving care. These young people are supported by our Leaving Care

Service.

5 children had a court order (Placement Order) that allows them to live with their

prospective adoptive parents whilst they are awaiting a final Adoption Order.

20 children are placed with family or friends carers (connected person). These carers are

formally assessed in the same way that our other in house carers are assessed and are

presented to the Fostering Panel for approval in the way. They are paid the same level of

allowances as other in house foster carers.

10 children are living with their parents but are still considered ‘looked after’ because they

are subject to a full care order so the Council still shares parental responsibility with the

birth parent. Placements with parents are often made pending a plan for reunification with

the parent and in some cases will result in an application for care orders to be revoked.

20 children and young people (without disabilities) were placed in residential care that

provides intensive support in a residential setting. These placements are most usually

made when it is clear that foster care is not sufficient to meet the child or young persons

needs. Residential care is nearly always accessed by adolescents and only rarely used

for younger children in very special circumstances.

3 children (with disabilities) was placed in specialist residential care. These disabled

children will have complex health and behavioural needs associated with their disability.

As above these placements are only used when all other types of support to keep the child

at home or in foster care have been exhausted.

3 young people were in young offender institute or prison.

1 child was placed in a secure unit.

3

63

Looked after Children Profile

Breakdown of Looked after Children Placements

4

64

Ethnicity of Looked after Children

5

65


66

Corporate Parenting Group - Performance Monitoring Report Jan 2015

Produced by the Performance Management and Information Team - Governance Department

"Helping children and young people to be their best"

67

aac536

Typewritten Text

ITEM 9C

aac536

Typewritten Text

PCC Outturn Performance & Targets

!

"Helping children and young people to be their best" Page 19

2012-13 78.0 78.0 60.02013-14 80.0 77.2 60.0

Year PCC Result SN Result ENG Result

2011-12 77.0 76.0 59.0

GJan-15 354 45000 78.7 84.4 -6.8% GDec-14 372 45000 82.7 84.4 -2.1%

GNov-14 378 45000 84.0 84.4 -0.5% GOct-14 383 45000 85.1 84.4 0.8%

GSep-14 379 45000 84.2 84.4 -0.2% GAug-14 376 45000 83.6 84.4 -1.0%

GJul-14 379 45000 84.2 84.4 -0.2% GJun-14 382 45000 84.9 84.4 0.6%

GMay-14 383 45000 85.1 84.4 0.8% GApr-14 383 45000 85.1 84.4 0.8%

RMar-14 364 45000 80.9 74.0 9.3% RFeb-14 361 45000 80.2 74.0 8.4%

AJan-14 361 45000 80.2 74.0 8.4% RDec-13 352 45000 78.2 74.0 5.7%

ANov-13 350 45000 77.8 74.0 5.1% AOct-13 353 45000 78.4 74.0 6.0%

ASep-13 357 45000 79.3 74.0 7.2% AAug-13 357 45000 79.3 74.0 7.2%

RJul-13 356 45000 79.1 74.0 6.9% AJun-13 362 45000 80.4 74.0 8.7%

RMay-13 361 45000 80.2 74.0 8.4% RApr-13 361 45000 80.2 74.0 8.4%

AMar-13 349 44000 79.3 74.0 7.2% AFeb-13 348 44000 79.1 74.0 6.9%

Number of Children Looked After per 10,000 Nov 2014 - Draft

Month CLA Pop. Rate Target Variance RAG

Good PerformanceGood performance is indicated by a rate that remains stable over time and is close to the statistical neighbour average. Bandings to be confirmed.

! Target is a rate of 84.4 per 10,000. The target translates to 380 children.

DefinitionNumber of children currently looked after divided by the population of 0-17 year olds in Peterborough multiplied by 10,000The number of children looked after is taken as a snapshot count at the end of each monthPopulation figure for April 2010 onwards based on Office of National Statistics mid-year estimates for 2010 - 40,700. Population figure rom April 2012 to Mar-13 is the mid-2011 estimate - 44,000. Population from Apr-13 onwards is mid-2012 estimate of 45,000

PMT Commentary

At the end of January the number of children looked after was 354 a net decrease of 18 compared to the previous month (372 in Dec14). The number of CLA is currently equivalent to a rate of 78.7 per 10,000.

290300310320330340350360370380390

Feb-

13

Mar

-13

Apr

-13

May

-13

Jun-

13

Jul-1

3

Aug

-13

Sep

-13

Oct

-13

Nov

-13

Dec

-13

Jan-

14

Feb-

14

Mar

-14

Apr

-14

May

-14

Jun-

14

Jul-1

4

Aug

-14

Sep

-14

Oct

-14

Nov

-14

Dec

-14

Jan-

15

No. of children looked after - month snapshot Monthly Target

68707274767880828486

Feb-

13

Mar

-13

Apr

-13

May

-13

Jun-

13

Jul-1

3

Aug

-13

Sep

-13

Oct

-13

Nov

-13

Dec

-13

Jan-

14

Feb-

14

Mar

-14

Apr

-14

May

-14

Jun-

14

Jul-1

4

Aug

-14

Sep

-14

Oct

-14

Nov

-14

Dec

-14

Jan-

15

Rate of children loooked after per 10,000 Rate per 10,000 target

68



2012-13 31.8 30.8 25.32013-14 36.2 29.7 26.5


2011-12 35.6 29.7 25.0

GJan-15 7 164 36.4 38.0 -4.1% GDec-14 11 169 37.6 38.0 -1.2%

GNov-14 9 176 39.1 38.0 2.9% GOct-14 16 179 39.8 38.0 4.7%

GSep-14 10 173 38.4 38.0 1.2% GAug-14 15 176 39.1 38.0 2.9%

GJul-14 11 170 37.8 38.0 -0.6% GJun-14 9 167 37.1 38.0 -2.3%

GMay-14 16 174 38.7 38.0 1.8% GApr-14 24 175 38.9 38.0 2.3%

RMar-14 16 169 37.6 29.0 29.5% RFeb-14 20 167 37.1 29.0 28.0%

RJan-14 12 159 35.3 29.0 21.8% RDec-13 18 147 32.7 29.0 12.6%

RNov-13 12 129 28.7 29.0 -1.1% ROct-13 10 117 26.0 29.0 -10.3%

RSep-13 13 166 36.9 29.0 27.2% RAug-13 9 168 37.3 29.0 28.7%

RJul-13 8 188 41.8 29.0 44.1% RJun-13 16 190 42.2 29.0 45.6%

RMay-13 17 178 39.6 29.0 36.4% RApr-13 18 173 38.4 29.0 32.6%

RMar-13 14 162 36.8 29.0 27.0% RFeb-13 12 158 35.9 29.0 23.8%

Admissions of Children Looked After per 10,000 Nov 2014 - Draft

Month CLA Start 12 Mths Rate Target Variance RAG

Good PerformancePerformance is indicated by a rate that remains stable over time and is close to the statistical neighbour average. Bandings to be confirmed. (Provisionally from Apri-14 green = +/-9.9% of target, amber = +/- 10-15% of target, red > +/- 15% of target).

! Target is a rate of 38.0 per 10,000. The target translates to 171 children over a 12 month period, averaging out at 14 per month.

DefinitionChildren who came into care (rolling 12 months) divided by the population of 0-17 year olds in Peterborough multiplied by 10,000. If a child is admitted to care on more than one occasion then each time is counted in this indicator.Population figure for April 2010 onwards based on Office of National Statistics mid-year estimates for 2010 - 40,700. Population figure rom April 2012 to Mar-13 is the mid-2011 estimate - 44,000. Population from Apr-13 onwards is mid-2012 estimate of 45,000

PMT Commentary

7 children became looked after during January.The rolling 12-month rate per 10,000 at 36.4 is 4.1% below target..

0

5

10

15

20

25

30Fe

b-13

Mar

-13

Apr

-13

May

-13

Jun-

13

Jul-1

3

Aug

-13

Sep

-13

Oct

-13

Nov

-13

Dec

-13

Jan-

14

Feb-

14

Mar

-14

Apr

-14

May

-14

Jun-

14

Jul-1

4

Aug

-14

Sep

-14

Oct

-14

Nov

-14

Dec

-14

Jan-

15

No. of children becoming looked after per month Monthly Target

05

1015202530354045

Feb-

13

Mar

-13

Apr

-13

May

-13

Jun-

13

Jul-1

3

Aug

-13

Sep

-13

Oct

-13

Nov

-13

Dec

-13

Jan-

14

Feb-

14

Mar

-14

Apr

-14

May

-14

Jun-

14

Jul-1

4

Aug

-14

Sep

-14

Oct

-14

Nov

-14

Dec

-14

Jan-

15

Rolling 12 month rate of CLA starts Rolling Target

69



2012-13 30.7 28.7 25.02013-14 32.9 30.1 26.5


2011-12 29.4 30.3 24.3

RJan-15 10 144 32.0 38.0 -15.8% RDec-14 7 144 32.0 38.0 -15.8%

RNov-14 9 143 31.8 38.0 -16.4% ROct-14 12 152 33.8 38.0 -11.1%

GSep-14 7 149 33.1 38.0 -12.9% RAug-14 17 164 36.4 38.0 -4.1%

AJul-14 20 156 34.7 38.0 -8.8% AJun-14 18 148 32.9 38.0 -13.5%

AMay-14 8 151 33.6 38.0 -11.7% AApr-14 13 154 34.2 38.0 -9.9%

GMar-14 9 155 34.4 29.0 18.8% GFeb-14 14 155 34.4 29.0 18.8%

GJan-14 10 153 34.0 29.0 17.2% GDec-13 6 143 31.8 29.0 9.6%

GNov-13 18 137 30.4 29.0 5.0% GOct-13 9 119 26.4 29.0 -8.8%

GSep-13 22 110 24.4 29.0 -15.7% GAug-13 9 150 33.3 29.9 11.5%

GJul-13 12 159 35.3 29.9 18.2% GJun-13 21 157 34.9 29.9 16.7%

GMay-13 11 150 33.3 29.9 11.5% GApr-13 14 150 33.3 29.9 11.5%

GMar-13 9 148 33.0 29.9 10.2% GFeb-13 12 150 33.4 29.9 11.7%

Number of Children who have ceased to be Children Looked After per 10,000 Nov 2014 - Draft

Month CLA End 12 Mths Rate Target Variance RAG

Good PerformanceGood performance is indicated by a rate that remains stable over time and is close to the statistical neighbour average. Bandings to be confirmed. (Provisionally from Apri-14 green = +/-9.9% of target, amber = +/- 10-15% of target, red > +/- 15% of target).

! Target is a rate of 38.0 per 10,000. The target translates to 171 children over a 12 month period, averaging out at 14 per month.

DefinitionNumber of children who ceased to be in care (rolling 12 months) divided by the population of 0-17 year olds in Peterborough multiplied by 10,000. If a child ceased to be in care on more than one occasion then each time is counted in this indicator.Population figure for April 2010 onwards based on Office of National Statistics mid-year estimates for 2010 - 40,700. Population figure rom April 2012 to Mar-13 is the mid-2011 estimate - 44,000. Population from Apr-13 onwards is mid-2012 estimate of 45,000

PMT Commentary

10 children ceased to be looked after during January.This is below the target level of 14 per month. The rolling 12-month rate per 10,000 at 32.0 remains lower than the target of 38.0.

0

5

10

15

20

25Fe

b-13

Mar

-13

Apr

-13

May

-13

Jun-

13

Jul-1

3

Aug

-13

Sep

-13

Oct

-13

Nov

-13

Dec

-13

Jan-

14

Feb-

14

Mar

-14

Apr

-14

May

-14

Jun-

14

Jul-1

4

Aug

-14

Sep

-14

Oct

-14

Nov

-14

Dec

-14

Jan-

15

No. of children ceasing to be looked after per month Monthly Target

05

10152025303540

Feb-

13

Mar

-13

Apr

-13

May

-13

Jun-

13

Jul-1

3

Aug

-13

Sep

-13

Oct

-13

Nov

-13

Dec

-13

Jan-

14

Feb-

14

Mar

-14

Apr

-14

May

-14

Jun-

14

Jul-1

4

Aug

-14

Sep

-14

Oct

-14

Nov

-14

Dec

-14

Jan-

15

Rolling 12 month rate of CLA ends Rolling Target

70



2012-13 11.1% 10.3% 11.1%2013-14 9.0% 11.3% 11.0%


2011-12 7.7% 9.8% 11.3%

GJan-15 32 354 9.0% 10.1% -1.1 GDec-14 35 372 9.4% 10.1% -0.7

GNov-14 32 378 8.5% 10.1% -1.6 GOct-14 35 383 9.1% 10.1% -1.0

GSep-14 32 379 8.4% 10.1% -1.7 GAug-14 28 376 7.4% 10.1% -2.7

GJul-14 31 379 8.2% 10.1% -1.9 GJun-14 29 382 7.6% 10.1% -2.5

GMay-14 29 383 7.6% 10.1% -2.5 GApr-14 27 383 7.0% 10.1% -3.1

GMar-14 28 364 7.7% 10.1% -2.4 GFeb-14 26 361 7.2% 10.1% -2.9

GJan-14 23 361 6.4% 10.1% -3.7 GDec-13 25 356 7.0% 10.1% -3.1

GNov-13 24 350 6.9% 10.1% -3.2 GOct-13 18 353 5.1% 10.1% -5.0

GSep-13 16 357 4.5% 10.1% -5.6 GAug-13 22 357 6.2% 10.1% -3.9

GJul-13 23 356 6.5% 10.1% -3.6 GJun-13 28 362 7.7% 10.1% -2.4

GMay-13 34 361 9.4% 10.1% -0.7 GApr-13 32 361 8.9% 10.1% -1.2

GMar-13 28 349 8.0% 10.1% -2.1 GFeb-13 26 348 7.5% 10.1% -2.6

NI 62 - LAC Placement Stability: 3 or more placements during previous 12 months Nov 2014 - Draft

Month Num. Denom. % Target Variance RAG

Good Performance

Good performance is typified by a lower percentage.

Bandings to be confirmed. (Provisionally green = target or lower, amber between 10.1% and 15%, red >15%).

DefinitionThe percentage of children looked after at any given time with three or more placements during the last 12 months. All placements of 24 hours or more are counted, regardless of duration. Any placements that were already open on 1 April at the beginning of the year, and any which were open on 31 March at the end of the year are included. All placements regarded as temporary are included, the onlyexceptions being the following special cases: • temporary periods on holiday or in hospital; • where a foster carer goes on holiday for 21 days or less and the child temporarily stays with another carer during this time (only two such breaks allowed in any one year); • other temporary absences of seven consecutive days or less, where the child then returned as planned to the previous placement. A child being placed for adoption with their existing foster carers is not included as a change of placement for the purposes of this indicator.

PMT Commentary

32 children looked after have had three or more placements during the preceding 12 months The current proportion at 9.0% is below the target and remains rated green.

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%Fe

b-13

Mar

-13

Apr-1

3

May

-13

Jun-

13

Jul-1

3

Aug-

13

Sep-

13

Oct

-13

Nov

-13

Dec

-13

Jan-

14

Feb-

14

Mar

-14

Apr-1

4

May

-14

Jun-

14

Jul-1

4

Aug-

14

Sep-

14

Oct

-14

Nov

-14

Dec

-14

Jan-

15

% of CLA with 3 or more moves Target

71



2012-13 66.7% 69.4% 67.3%2013-14 73.0% 69.1% 67.0%


2011-12 70.6% 70.7% 67.8%

AJan-15 85 123 69.1% 71.0% -1.9 ADec-14 88 128 68.8% 71.0% -2.3

ANov-14 88 128 68.8% 71.0% -2.3 AOct-14 90 130 69.2% 71.0% -1.8

GSep-14 92 131 70.2% 71.0% -0.8 AAug-14 95 131 72.5% 71.0% 1.5

GJul-14 97 131 74.0% 71.0% 3.0 GJun-14 97 127 76.4% 71.0% 5.4

GMay-14 97 134 72.4% 71.0% 1.4 GApr-14 92 128 71.9% 71.0% 0.9

GMar-14 91 127 71.7% 71.0% 0.7 GFeb-14 89 120 74.2% 71.0% 3.2

GJan-14 89 122 73.0% 71.0% 2.0 GDec-13 88 118 74.6% 71.0% 3.6

GNov-13 79 109 72.5% 71.0% 1.5 GOct-13 78 107 72.9% 71.0% 1.9

GSep-13 80 109 73.4% 71.0% 2.4 GAug-13 78 107 72.9% 71.0% 1.9

AJul-13 76 108 70.4% 71.0% -0.6 AJun-13 80 114 70.2% 71.0% -0.8

RMay-13 76 112 67.9% 71.0% -3.1 AApr-13 75 114 65.8% 71.0% -5.2

AMar-13 74 114 64.9% 71.0% -6.1 RFeb-13 76 114 66.7% 71.0% -4.3

NI 63 - LAC Placement Stability: Length of Placement Nov 2014 - Draft


Good PerformanceGenerally high, although performance should never reach 100% – some placement change is necessary.

Bandings to be confirmed. (Provisionally green = target or higher, amber between 71% and 66%, red <66%).

DefinitionThe percentage of looked after children aged under 16 who had been looked after continuously for at least 2.5 years who were living in the same placement for at least 2 years, or are placed for adoption and their adoptive placement together with their previous placement together last for at least 2 years.

PMT Commentary

January data indicates that 69.1% of children aged under 16 who have been looked after for at least 2.5 years, have been in the same placement for at least 2 of those years. This measure has dipped just below the target and is rated amber.

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%Fe

b-13

Mar

-13

Apr-1

3

May

-13

Jun-

13

Jul-1

3

Aug-

13

Sep-

13

Oct

-13

Nov

-13

Dec

-13

Jan-

14

Feb-

14

Mar

-14

Apr-1

4

May

-14

Jun-

14

Jul-1

4

Aug-

14

Sep-

14

Oct

-14

Nov

-14

Dec

-14

Jan-

15

% of CLA for 2 1/2 years in same placement for 2 years or more Target

72



2009-10 95.1% 92.2% 90.5%2010-11 - - -


2008-09 97.6% 94.7% 90.9%

GJan-15 345 347 99.4% 98.0% 1.4 GDec-14 386 389 99.2% 98.0% 1.2

GNov-14 363 369 98.4% 98.0% 0.4 GOct-14 360 366 98.4% 98.0% 0.4

ASep-14 364 371 98.1% 98.0% 0.1 GAug-14 360 368 97.8% 98.0% -0.2

AJul-14 360 369 97.6% 98.0% -0.4 AJun-14 366 378 96.8% 98.0% -1.2

GMay-14 367 377 97.3% 98.0% -0.7 AApr-14 358 364 98.4% 98.0% 0.4

GMar-14 334 341 97.9% 98.0% -0.1 AFeb-14 340 347 98.0% 98.0% 0.0

AJan-14 344 351 98.0% 98.0% 0.0 GDec-13 331 340 97.4% 98.0% -0.6

ANov-13 332 344 96.5% 98.0% -1.5 AOct-13 333 347 96.0% 98.0% -2.0

ASep-13 337 348 96.8% 98.0% -1.2 AAug-13 340 352 96.6% 98.0% -1.4

AJul-13 340 352 96.6% 98.0% -1.4 AJun-13 336 348 96.6% 98.0% -1.4

AMay-13 335 351 95.4% 98.0% -2.6 AApr-13 331 347 95.4% 98.0% -2.6

AMar-13 331 346 95.7% 98.0% -2.3 AFeb-13 328 341 96.2% 98.0% -1.8

NI 66 - CLA Review Timescales - Year to Date Performance Nov 2014 - Draft


Good PerformanceGood performance is typified by a higher percentage. It should be noted that the latest bandings of this indicator describes the best performance as 95 <= 100, and the worst [Investigate Urgently] as 0 < 80. The five percentage point width of the highest band allows for the fact that there are occasions where it can be in the best interest of the child to delay a scheduled review.Bandings to be confirmed. .

DefinitionThe percentage of Looked after children for at least one month, whose case was reviewed within the required timescales.

The denominator is children who are LAC for at least one month at the end of the reporting month.The numerator is the number of children who have not had a review since April recorded as outside of timescale.

PMT Commentary

At the end of January there were 347 children that had been looked after for more than one month. Of these 2 children have had a late review within the last 12 months. Neither of these late reviews occurred during January (the last one to go out of time was in June-14).

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%Fe

b-13

Mar

-13

Apr-1

3

May

-13

Jun-

13

Jul-1

3

Aug-

13

Sep-

13

Oct

-13

Nov

-13

Dec

-13

Jan-

14

Feb-

14

Mar

-14

Apr-1

4

May

-14

Jun-

14

Jul-1

4

Aug-

14

Sep-

14

Oct

-14

Nov

-14

Dec

-14

Jan-

15

% LAC with review in timescale Target

73


! 2013-14 18.0% 22.4% 17.0%


2011-12 9.0% 19.0% 13.0%2012-13 13.0% 19.0% 14.0%

7.4 G


YTD: 29 106 -- 27.4% 20.0%

8.1 GJan-15 2 10 20.0% 27.4% 20.0% 9.1 GDec-14 6 7 85.7% 28.1% 20.0%

1.2 GNov-14 3 4 75.0% 23.6% 20.0% 3.6 GOct-14 3 7 42.9% 21.2% 20.0%

-4.9 GSep-14 4 5 80.0% 19.2% 20.0% -0.8 GAug-14 1 16 6.3% 15.1% 20.0%

-4.6 AJul-14 4 18 22.2% 17.5% 20.0% -2.5 GJun-14 2 18 11.1% 15.4% 20.0%

3.1 GMay-14 1 8 12.5% 19.0% 20.0% -1.0 GApr-14 3 13 23.1% 23.1% 20.0%

-1.4 AMar-14 3 9 33.3% 17.5% 18.0% -0.5 GFeb-14 1 14 7.1% 16.6% 18.0%

0.2 GJan-14 1 10 10.0% 17.6% 18.0% -0.4 GDec-13 1 6 16.7% 18.2% 18.0%

1.4 GNov-13 2 17 11.8% 18.3% 18.0% 0.3 GOct-13 4 9 44.4% 19.4% 18.0%

4.4 GSep-13 0 22 0.0% 16.9% 18.0% -1.1 AAug-13 1 9 11.1% 22.4% 18.0%

1.6 GJul-13 5 12 41.7% 24.1% 18.0% 6.1 GJun-13 5 21 23.8% 19.6% 18.0%

-3.7 AMay-13 2 11 18.2% 16.0% 18.0% -2.0 AApr-13 2 14 14.3% 14.3% 18.0%

-5.7 AMar-13 1 9 11.1% 12.3% 18.0% -5.7 AFeb-13 1 12 8.3% 12.3% 18.0%

Percentage of children adopted Nov 2014 - Draft

Month Adop. CLA Ends % Mnth % YTD Target Var RAG

Good PerformanceGenerally a higher percentage is good although adoption is not necessarily the preferable outcome for all children who ceased to be in care.

Bandings to be confirmed. (Provisionally green = 20% or higher , amber between 20% and 11%, red <11%). Bandings are based on the year to date figure.

DefinitionThe number of children adopted as a percentage of the number of children who ceased to be in care

PMT Commentary

Year to date there have been 29 adoptions, which is the slightly higher thanthe same time last year (Jan-14 was 25).

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%Fe

b-13

Mar

-13

Apr

-13

May

-13

Jun-

13

Jul-1

3

Aug

-13

Sep

-13

Oct

-13

Nov

-13

Dec

-13

Jan-

14

Feb-

14

Mar

-14

Apr

-14

May

-14

Jun-

14

Jul-1

4

Aug

-14

Sep

-14

Oct

-14

Nov

-14

Dec

-14

Jan-

15

% of CLA ends who were adopted - per month Target

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

Feb-

13

Mar

-13

Apr

-13

May

-13

Jun-

13

Jul-1

3

Aug

-13

Sep

-13

Oct

-13

Nov

-13

Dec

-13

Jan-

14

Feb-

14

Mar

-14

Apr

-14

May

-14

Jun-

14

Jul-1

4

Aug

-14

Sep

-14

Oct

-14

Nov

-14

Dec

-14

Jan-

15

% of CLA ends who were adopted - year to date Target

74

*Note change in definition from Jun-13



ENG Result

Jan-15 1 1

Year PCC Result SN Result

Nov-14 7 5Dec-14 4 4

Sep-14 6 5Oct-14 9 6

Jul-14 7 5Aug-14 4 4

May-14 10 5Jun-14 10 8

Mar-14 12 5Apr-14 5 4

Jan-14 1 1Feb-14 6 4

Nov-13 4 2Dec-13 13 8

Sep-13 4 3Oct-13 3 2

Jul-13 21 5Aug-13 11 4

May-13 1 1Jun-13 11 7

Mar-13 3 3Apr-13 3 3

Looked after children missing from care Nov 2014 - Draft

Month Incidents Individual

Feb-13 6 5

Good Performance

Good performance is typified by a lower percentage.

Bandings to be confirmed.

Definition

Change in definition from June 2013 onwards - historic data not directly comparable.

All missing incidents are now recorded in Liquid Logic; including incidents occurring to CLA placed outside of Peterborough. The incidents field is the number of missing incidents of CLA recorded in the month; individuals is the number of children this involves (as some children may go missing more than once.

PMT Commentary

There was 1 child looked after who went missing during January with a total of 1incident.

0

5

10

15

20

25Fe

b-13

Mar

-13

Apr

-13

May

-13

Jun-

13

Jul-1

3

Aug

-13

Sep

-13

Oct

-13

Nov

-13

Dec

-13

Jan-

14

Feb-

14

Mar

-14

Apr

-14

May

-14

Jun-

14

Jul-1

4

Aug

-14

Sep

-14

Oct

-14

Nov

-14

Dec

-14

Jan-

15

No. of Incidents

02468

101214

Feb-

13

Mar

-13

Apr

-13

May

-13

Jun-

13

Jul-1

3

Aug

-13

Sep

-13

Oct

-13

Nov

-13

Dec

-13

Jan-

14

Feb-

14

Mar

-14

Apr

-14

May

-14

Jun-

14

Jul-1

4

Aug

-14

Sep

-14

Oct

-14

Nov

-14

Dec

-14

Jan-

15

No. of Individuals

75


2012-13 - - -


2010-11 - - -2011-12 - - -

-82.7 R


YTD: 8 109 -- 7.3% 90.0%

-79.6 RJan-15 1 7 14.3% 7.3% 90.0% -82.7 RDec-14 0 6 0.0% 10.4% 90.0%

-82.0 RNov-14 0 9 0.0% 11.5% 90.0% -78.5 ROct-14 1 16 6.3% 8.0% 90.0%

-74.6 RSep-14 2 10 20.0% 8.5% 90.0% -81.5 RAug-14 2 12 16.7% 15.4% 90.0%

-70.2 RJul-14 0 8 0.0% 17.0% 90.0% -73.0 RJun-14 1 6 16.7% 19.8% 90.0%

-65.3 RMay-14 0 15 0.0% 21.7% 90.0% -68.3 RApr-14 1 20 5.0% 24.7% 90.0%

-73.0 RMar-14 0 14 0.0% 15.4% 90.0% -74.6 RFeb-14 0 19 0.0% 17.0% 90.0%

-68.3 RJan-14 0 10 0.0% 19.8% 90.0% -70.2 RDec-13 1 17 5.9% 21.7% 90.0%

-64.4 RNov-13 2 11 18.2% 24.7% 90.0% -65.3 ROct-13 2 9 22.2% 25.6% 90.0%

-62.4 RSep-13 2 11 18.2% 26.1% 90.0% -63.9 RAug-13 4 7 57.1% 27.6% 90.0%

-62.1 RJul-13 0 8 0.0% 23.5% 90.0% -66.5 RJun-13 3 15 20.0% 27.9% 90.0%

-54.7 RMay-13 3 11 27.3% 32.1% 90.0% -57.9 RApr-13 6 17 35.3% 35.3% 90.0%Feb-13Jan-13

Initial health assessments completed within 28 days of child becoming looked after Nov 2014 - Draft

Month Init.HA CLA St % Mnth % YTD Target Var RAG

Good PerformanceGood performance is typified by higher percentages.

Bandings to be confirmed. (Provisionally green = target or above, amber between 80.0% and 89.9%, red <80%). Bandings are based on the year to date figure.

DefinitionThe numerator is the number of children becomiing looked after that have an initial health assessment recorded on Liquidlogic that was completed within 28 calendar days of the child becoming looked after.

The denominator is the number of children becoming looked after measured one month in arrears to enable time for the 28 day period to elapse. The denominator excludes cases where the episode of care was closed within 28 days and also children becoming looked after because they have been placed on remand (because the remand institution is responsible for completing the initial health assessment).

PMT Commentary

Performance continues to be low with just seven cases having an initial health assessment within 28 days since the start of April. However, there are 69c ases where the intial health assessments have been completed after 28 days..

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%A

ug-1

2

Sep

-12

Oct

-12

Nov

-12

Dec

-12

Jan-

13

Feb-

13

Mar

-13

Apr

-13

May

-13

Jun-

13

Jul-1

3

Aug

-13

Sep

-13

Oct

-13

Nov

-13

Dec

-13

Jan-

14

Feb-

14

Mar

-14

Apr

-14

May

-14

Jun-

14

Jul-1

4

Aug

-14

Sep

-14

Oct

-14

Nov

-14

Dec

-14

Jan-

15

% of initial health assessments per month % of initial health assessments target

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

Aug

-12

Sep

-12

Oct

-12

Nov

-12

Dec

-12

Jan-

13

Feb-

13

Mar

-13

Apr

-13

May

-13

Jun-

13

Jul-1

3

Aug

-13

Sep

-13

Oct

-13

Nov

-13

Dec

-13

Jan-

14

Feb-

14

Mar

-14

Apr

-14

May

-14

Jun-

14

Jul-1

4

Aug

-14

Sep

-14

Oct

-14

Nov

-14

Dec

-14

Jan-

15

% of initial health assessments YTD % of initial health assessments target

76



2012-13 85.4% 85.0% 87.3%2013-14 93.9% 89.1% 88.4%


2011-12 93.2% 82.4% 86.3%

GJan-15 227 253 89.7% 85.0% 4.7 GDec-14 239 266 89.8% 85.0% 4.8

ANov-14 232 262 88.5% 85.0% 3.5 GOct-14 205 258 79.5% 85.0% -5.5

GSep-14 230 267 86.1% 85.0% 1.1 GAug-14 226 265 85.3% 85.0% 0.3

AJul-14 218 263 82.9% 85.0% -2.1 AJun-14 221 264 83.7% 85.0% -1.3

GMay-14 236 266 88.7% 85.0% 3.7 GApr-14 224 260 86.2% 85.0% 1.2

GMar-14 225 249 90.4% 83.0% 7.4 GFeb-14 204 239 85.4% 83.0% 2.4

GJan-14 204 243 84.0% 83.0% 1.0 GDec-13 215 245 87.8% 83.0% 4.8

GNov-13 220 246 89.4% 83.0% 6.4 GOct-13 214 240 89.2% 83.0% 6.2

RSep-13 202 239 84.5% 83.0% 1.5 GAug-13 172 226 76.1% 83.0% -6.9

AJul-13 178 222 80.2% 83.0% -2.8 AJun-13 188 230 81.7% 83.0% -1.3

AMay-13 195 243 80.2% 83.0% -2.8 AApr-13 192 243 79.0% 83.0% -4.0

GMar-13 194 248 78.2% 83.0% -4.8 AFeb-13 202 244 82.8% 83.0% -0.2

Health of Looked After Children - Health Assessments Nov 2014 - Draft

Month Num. Denom. % YTD Target Variance RAG

Good PerformanceGood performance is demonstrated by high percentage.

Bandings to be confirmed. (Provisionally green = target or higher, amber between 83% and 78%, red <78%).

Definition

Of the children who had been in care for at least 12 months the proportion who had an annual health assessment during the previous 12 months.

PMT Commentary

The proportion of children looked after that have had a health assessment within the previous 12 months has remained in line with last month at 89.7% from 89.8% in the previous month.

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%Fe

b-13

Mar

-13

Apr-1

3

May

-13

Jun-

13

Jul-1

3

Aug-

13

Sep-

13

Oct

-13

Nov

-13

Dec

-13

Jan-

14

Feb-

14

Mar

-14

Apr-1

4

May

-14

Jun-

14

Jul-1

4

Aug-

14

Sep-

14

Oct

-14

Nov

-14

Dec

-14

Jan-

15

% of LAC with a recent health assessment Target

77



2011-12 - - -2012-13 - - -


2010-11 - - -

RJan-15 240 296 81.1% 90.0% -8.9 ADec-14 237 309 76.7% 90.0% -13.3

ANov-14 236 310 76.1% 90.0% -13.9 ROct-14 265 312 84.9% 90.0% -5.1

RSep-14 232 315 73.7% 90.0% -16.3 RAug-14 239 315 75.9% 90.0% -14.1

RJul-14 225 320 70.3% 90.0% -19.7 RJun-14 230 322 71.4% 90.0% -18.6

RMay-14 218 321 67.9% 90.0% -22.1 RApr-14 230 320 71.9% 90.0% -18.1

RMar-14 249 301 82.7% 90.0% -7.3 AFeb-14 210 302 69.5% 90.0% -20.5

RJan-14 161 288 55.9% 90.0% -34.1 RDec-13 173 287 60.3% 90.0% -29.7

RNov-13 170 293 58.0% 90.0% -32.0 ROct-13 177 290 61.0% 90.0% -29.0

RSep-13 195 291 67.0% 90.0% -23.0 RAug-13 190 305 62.3% 90.0% -27.7

RJul-13 183 300 61.0% 90.0% -29.0 RJun-13 186 300 62.0% 90.0% -28.0

AMay-13 240 297 80.8% 90.0% -9.2 AApr-13 241 298 80.9% 90.0% -9.1

RMar-13 232 305 76.1% 90.0% -13.9 RFeb-13 206 283 72.8% 90.0% -17.2

Children looked after (aged 3 to 17 years) with dental checks held within previous 12 months Nov 2014 - Draft


Good Performance

Good performance is typified by a higher percentage.

Bandings to be confirmed. (Provisionally green = target or above, amber between 80.0% and 89.9%, red <80%). Bandings are based on the year to date figure.

DefinitionThe percenatge of children looked after who have had a dental check within the previous 12 months.

The numerator is the number of children looked after aged between 3 and 17 years old that have a dental check recorded on Liquidlogic that was completed within the previous 12 months.

The denominator is the number of children looked after aged between 3 and 17 years old as at the month end.

PMT Commentary

Perfromance in January increased to 81.1% which is 8.9 percentage points below target.

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%Fe

b-13

Mar

-13

Apr-1

3

May

-13

Jun-

13

Jul-1

3

Aug-

13

Sep-

13

Oct

-13

Nov

-13

Dec

-13

Jan-

14

Feb-

14

Mar

-14

Apr-1

4

May

-14

Jun-

14

Jul-1

4

Aug-

14

Sep-

14

Oct

-14

Nov

-14

Dec

-14

Jan-

15

% of dental checks within last 12 months Target

78




AJan-15 319 346 92.2% 95.0% -2.8 ADec-14 337 360 93.6% 95.0% -1.4

GNov-14 323 360 89.7% 95.0% -5.3 ROct-14 346 363 95.3% 95.0% 0.3

ASep-14 325 356 91.3% 95.0% -3.7 AAug-14 333 357 93.3% 95.0% -1.7

AJul-14 341 359 95.0% 95.0% 0.0 GJun-14 344 365 94.2% 95.0% -0.8

AMay-14 342 376 91.0% 95.0% -4.0 AApr-14 320 354 90.4% 95.0% -4.6

GMar-14 339 345 98.3% 95.0% 3.3 GFeb-14 330 342 96.5% 95.0% 1.5

GJan-14 302 342 88.3% 95.0% -6.7 ADec-13 314 328 95.7% 95.0% 0.7

GNov-13 314 332 94.6% 95.0% -0.4 GOct-13 318 336 94.6% 95.0% -0.4

RSep-13 330 348 94.8% 95.0% -0.2 GAug-13 299 343 87.2% 95.0% -7.8

GJul-13 322 348 92.5% 95.0% -2.5 AJun-13 332 340 97.6% 95.0% 2.6

GMay-13 335 341 98.2% 95.0% 3.2 GApr-13 329 341 96.5% 95.0% 1.5

AMar-13 310 337 92.0% 95.0% AFeb-13 316 334 94.6% 95.0%

Looked after children visits in time Nov 2014 - Draft


Good Performance

Good performance is typified by a higher percentage.

Bandings to be confirmed.

DefinitionOf all Looked After Children that have been looked after for more than 6 weeks, the number and percentage of visits that were completed within the 6 week deadline (or within three months for those Looked After Children that have been looked after for more than 12 months and whose placement is deemed to be permanent).

This is snapshot data taken at the month end.

PMT Commentary

The data as at the end of January show that 92.2% of children looked after received a statutory visit within timescale.

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%Fe

b-13

Mar

-13

Apr-1

3

May

-13

Jun-

13

Jul-1

3

Aug-

13

Sep-

13

Oct

-13

Nov

-13

Dec

-13

Jan-

14

Feb-

14

Mar

-14

Apr-1

4

May

-14

Jun-

14

Jul-1

4

Aug-

14

Sep-

14

Oct

-14

Nov

-14

Dec

-14

Jan-

15

% of LAC visits in time Target

79



2009-10 - - -2010-11 - - -


2008-09 - - -

GJan-15 209 213 98.1% 95.0% 3.1 GDec-14 211 214 98.6% 95.0% 3.6

GNov-14 209 213 98.1% 95.0% 3.1 GOct-14 207 212 97.6% 95.0% 2.6

GSep-14 203 204 99.5% 95.0% 4.5 GAug-14 237 238 99.6% 95.0% 4.6

GJul-14 240 240 100.0% 95.0% 5.0 GJun-14 239 243 98.4% 95.0% 3.4

GMay-14 238 240 99.2% 95.0% 4.2 GApr-14 238 239 99.6% 95.0% 4.6

GMar-14 227 228 99.6% 95.0% 4.6 GFeb-14 209 209 100.0% 95.0% 5.0

GJan-14 208 208 100.0% 95.0% 5.0 GDec-13 206 206 100.0% 95.0% 5.0

ANov-13 213 223 95.5% 95.0% 0.5 GOct-13 214 227 94.3% 95.0% -0.7

ASep-13 210 222 94.6% 95.0% -0.4 GAug-13 197 224 87.9% 95.0% -7.1

AJul-13 196 226 86.7% 95.0% -8.3 AJun-13 192 223 86.1% 95.0% -8.9

AMay-13 186 214 86.9% 95.0% -8.1 AApr-13 184 215 85.6% 95.0% -9.4Mar-13 174 207 84.1%Feb-13 171 203 84.2%

Personal Education Plans (PEPs) Nov 2014 - Draft

Month Num. Denom. % YTD Target Variance RAG

Good Performance

Good performance is demonstrated by higher percentages.Target is an internal target set (taken from CLA Scorecard)

Definition

The denominator is the number of children looked after where their birthday falls between 01/09/1997 and 31/08/2009 (for figures from September 2013 onwards). The numerator is of those children, the number that have a PEP added to the system.

PMT Commentary

98.1% of the school age children looked after for at least one month have a PEP in place as at the end of January (4 children are without).

70%

80%

90%

100%Fe

b-13

Mar

-13

Apr-1

3

May

-13

Jun-

13

Jul-1

3

Aug-

13

Sep-

13

Oct

-13

Nov

-13

Dec

-13

Jan-

14

Feb-

14

Mar

-14

Apr-1

4

May

-14

Jun-

14

Jul-1

4

Aug-

14

Sep-

14

Oct

-14

Nov

-14

Dec

-14

Jan-

15

% of CLA with a PEP Target

80

Age Ethnicity

Gender

Legal Status

Placement

Length of time in care

"Helping children and young people to be their best"Page 32

Other 1 4 4 5 3Secure unit 2 4 2 2 1

16+ years 4 4 3 1 1Placed for adoption 8 9 13 13 511 -15 years 12 12 15 3 11Other residential schools 1 2 3 3 36 - 10 years 80 84 80 46 86Residential care homes 24 22 23 20 203 - 5 years 37 40 56 36 57Independent living 21 25 27 22 231 - 2 years 111 118 108 95 94With parents 3 3 5 9 107 - 12 months 40 38 48 77 48Fostering by relatives or friends 32 31 27 22 200 - 6 months 80 86 69 114 57Foster carers - Unknown 0 0 0 0 0

Foster carers - Agency 124 127 119 113 112Foster carers - In House 148 155 156 163 157

Not stated / not yet obtained 2 3 2 3 4Any other ethnic group 3 3 3 3 3Chinese 0 0 0 0 0Others 1 4 4 5 1Black 17 18 20 22 24Freed adoption / placement order 81 79 82 78 69Any other Black background 5 5 5 5 5Voluntary agreements 110 106 100 88 91African 11 12 14 15 17Full care orders 135 141 140 149 149Caribbean 1 1 1 2 2Interim care orders 37 52 53 52 44Asian 7 10 4 4 4

Any other Asian background 4 5 1 1 1Bangladeshi 0 0 0 0 0Pakistani 3 5 3 3 3Female 162 165 171 171 166Indian 0 0 0 0 0Male 202 217 208 201 188Mixed 31 34 32 33 29

Any other mixed background 11 12 12 10 8Mixed White & Asian 7 9 7 11 11Mixed White & Black African 0 0 0 2 218 or over 0 4 5 5 5Mixed White & Black Caribbean 13 13 13 10 816-17 74 83 85 76 68White 304 314 318 307 29010 to 15 135 141 138 142 144White Other 38 42 44 41 385 to 9 66 71 65 72 69White Irish 1 1 0 0 01 to 4 65 59 60 55 44White British 265 271 274 266 252

382 379 372 354

Under 1 24 24 26 22 24

Dec-14 Jan-15

Children looked after 364 382 379 372 354 Children looked after 364

Looked after children profile Nov 2014 - Draft

Mar-14 Jun-14 Sep-14 Dec-14 Jan-15 Mar-14 Jun-14 Sep-14

81


82

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