Council and democracy

Agenda item

Children's Social Care Performance

Minutes:

The Strategic Lead for Business Intelligence introduced the report to Members providing a summary of the Children’s Social Care performance. During which the Committee heard how in some instances when contact progressed to a referral, there may be the need for Social Care intervention, this was would be when there were more serious concerns about a child’s safety or wellbeing. In Quarter 4, Thurrock received 760 referrals compared to 603 in the same quarter of 2018-2019.

 

She continued to advise Members in 2019-20 a total of 4,116 assessments were completed compared to 3,180 in 2018-19. This was an increase of 29.4%. The number of assessments completed within 45 working days has remained consistent since 2018-19.

 

The Strategic Lead for Business Intelligence explained at the end of Quarter 4, the total number of children subject to a Child Protection Plan was 173 and the rate per 10,000 was 39.5.  Although, this was the highest figure reported in the last 12 months, it reflected a trend towards higher levels of risk factors within cases referred to Children’s Social Care.  Members heard how Child Protection Plans were regularly reviewed by the Strategic Lead to ensure that risk was being well managed and that children do not remain subject to Plans for longer than necessary.

 

Members were notified that in Quarter 4, the number of Children Looked After was 298 which was slightly up from 287 in Quarter 3, representing an increase of 3.8% and compared to 2018-19, there has been a slight increase of 1.7%.

 

It was mentioned that as per the table in the report, in March 2020, 9 children in total went missing with 27 episodes.  It was highlighted that it was important to bear in mind that the same child often goes missing more than once.

 

The Chair of the Committee enquired as to whether Care Leavers were given money advice. Officers confirmed that all Care Leavers had a Personal Adviser to give any support and assistance needed.

 

Miss Stone, a Care Leaver Representative commented that since she had left the care system, she hadn’t received any support or assistance despite seeking for help.  She further commented that she was passed through the care system and moved around a lot.  Members requested that Miss Stone’s case was reviewed and someone contact her to offer the support she was seeking.

 

Councillor Akinbohun sought clarity on the number of missing child and whether they were found and back with their families. Officers confirmed that all children were now back home with their families and were only missing for a number hours.

 

The Vice Chair of the Children in Care Council asked why is was young people had to have a health assessment. Officers explained it was a general assessment, so to have a better understanding of a young person’s health such as asthma, diabetes or any allergies.  The Vice Chair of the Children in Care Council commented that when going in to care a child’s whole life changes and he felt that the assessment was intrusive.

 

Councillor MacPherson commented that she felt it would be worth looking into how the health assessment was explained, so to ensure that the young people fully understood what was going to happened and the reason why.

 

 

 

RESOLVED

 

1.    That Members noted areas of improvement in Children’s Social Care and work undertaken to manage demand for statutory social care services.

2.    For any specific areas of interest to be flagged for inclusion/expansion within the next report.

 

Supporting documents: