Children’s Social Care Performance Cover Report (Item 8a), Data Report (Item 8b) and Explanatory Document (Item 8c)
Minutes:
The following witnesses were welcomed to the meeting:
· Mel John-Ross, Service Director, Children’s Social Care & Safeguarding
· Councillor Margaret Bruff, Cabinet Spokesperson for People (Safeguarding)
An introduction was given to the report circulated, which provided information for performance in March 2018 and for the full year for 2017-18. Ms John-Ross noted that performance for the year had been extremely positive, with improvement in nearly every area. Members asked questions regarding the following issues:
· The percentage of care leavers in suitable accommodation and in education, employment or training, and how these percentages changed as care leavers aged from 18 to 21.
· The resourcing impact of the Children Social Work Act, which required local authorities to be in contact with care leavers until they were 25 (rather than 21) without significant additional funding being provided. Information of how this funding had been calculated could be provided to the Committee.
· The performance and work being done to make improvements against the following KPIs:
- the number of children becoming subject to a Child Protection Plan
- the rate of referrals per 10,000 people aged under 18.
· The challenges presented due to the number of children placed into private care within Barnsley from outside the Borough.
RESOLVED That:
i) the witnesses be thanked for their attendance and contribution;
ii) the report be noted; and
iii) information be provided to the Committee regarding how the additional funding had been calculated for the new duty for authorities to remain in contact with care leavers up to the age of 25.