The Head of Service for Children Looked After presented the report as set out in the Agenda.  Members were asked to note the following key points:

·             Thurrock’s children in care numbers had remained relatively stable.

·             In Quarter 2 the number of Children Looked After had reduced from 284 to 267.

·             At the end of Quarter 1, Thurrock’s rate of Children Looked After per 100,000 was below their statistical neighbours and below the England average.

·             Members were asked to note the table on page 27 of the Agenda, this showed the reasons behind Children Looked After ending.

·             In August of Quarter 2, only 2 children became Looked After which was the lowest number seen in a single month for over a year.

·             The age profile of Children Looked After had mostly remained stable, however, there had been a slight increase in the 10-15 age range which put Thurrock slightly above their statistical neighbours.

·             At the end of August 2024, 70% of Children Looked After were placed within 20 miles or less of their home.  Of the 30% of children placed more than 20 miles from their home, 8% were unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

·             At the end of Quarter 1, 41% of Care Leavers were in Education, Employment or Training.  At the end of August 2024, this figure had risen to 43.3% which showed a slow month on month rise.

Members noted and commented:

·             In the report it was noted Thurrock were below the National Transfer Scheme (NTS) quota for Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC), members questioned if we were being asked to take additional UASC within the Borough from other Boroughs.  Officers advised as we were a port authority we were always on or about our threshold of 44.

·             Members questioned why, at the end half of last year, were the UASC numbers over the National Transfer Scheme threshold of 44.  Officers advised there was an influx of Unaccompanied Asylum Seekers coming into the Borough and explained how the NTS scheme worked and how figures were reported.

·             Members asked for an explanation of Thurrock’s role in looking after Children who are within the Youth Justice System.   Officers advised interventions are put in place with a hope this would steer children away from re-offending.

·             Members asked why had our numbers of Children Looked After decreased from the end of Quarter 1 to end August.  Officers explained this was due to several factors including, the early intervention work the service carried out with families and the measures and services in place during initial assessments.

·             Members questioned what was being done to increase the percentage to 100% of social worker visits to Children Looked After being in timescale.  It was noted the recent figures were on or around the low 90%.  Officers explained any delays were addressed through performance management meetings and support offered.  In some cases, the visits might only be 1 day out, but this had to be reported as late within the services data.  Confirmation was given that it was very small timescales when identified as late.

·             Members questioned what was being done to increase the percentage of Care Leavers who were in Education, Employment or Training.  It was noted in September 2023 the percentage was 58.6%, which dipped to 39.9% in May 2024 and was now at 43.3%.  Officers advised there were many factors that contributed to the dip, including Covid, and there were several interventions in place to deal with this.  It was advised there was a Steering Group made up of different organisations and departments who looked at all individual strategies to ascertain what was being done to improve outcomes of young people.  It was further advised there was an action plan for each young person, looking at their individual needs as it was not a one size fits all to see how they could get back into education or employment.  It was advised a plan was being development and worked on with the Council and business as to what could be done differently to enhance opportunities for Young People.

 RESOLVED:

1.1           Members were sighted on the work undertaken in the service to ensure good and improved performance and areas for development and challenge in Children’s Social Care.

1.2           Members scrutinised the performance data and provided challenge to the service, relevant partners and corporately how, as corporate parents they provide appropriate services, keep children and young people safe and promote good outcomes.