· Children's Social Care Performance Cover Report (Item 6a)
· Data Report (Item 6b) and
· Explanatory Document (Item 6c)
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 the whole year’s performance and Quarter 4 performance (April 2018).. The report provided a summary section with an overview of performance using RAG (red, Amber, Green) ratings and direction of travel for most indicators together with historical performance and comparisons with other local authorities and national and statistical neighbour averages (based on 2016/17 data) where available.
Members asked questions and challenged the following issues, to which appropriate responses were given:
· The reasons behind the relatively low number of Early Help Assessments completed in April.
· The decrease in the proportion of looked after children in the same placement for two years or more.
· Looked after children’s high school attendance and exclusion rates.
· The role of the Virtual Head, Social Workers and Education Welfare in addressing education issues.
· The role of partners in supporting care leavers to engage in education, employment or training.
· The significant increase in the number of contacts received, due to changes in the recording system, not an increase in demand.
· The increase in children subject to a child protection plan for the second or subsequent time.
RESOLVED that:
i) witnesses be thanked for their attendance and contribution; and
ii) the report be noted.