Issue - meetings

To receive a report from Matthew Chislett, Service Manager for Corporate Parenting and Permanence.

Matthew Chislett (Service Manager Corporate Parenting and Care Leavers) introduced members to the Corporate Parenting Dataset. There was an improving picture of the number of children achieving permanence. By the end of October, there were 441 children in care and a reduction in the number of care leavers in bed and breakfast accommodation from 4 to 2. Work is continuing to support young people out of Bed and Breakfast.  The Service Manager also discussed how more care leavers continue to stay in touch which indicates the strength in relationships with care leavers. Areas to develop include the initial health assessments, for October they were at 84.6%. Officers were working hard to improve performance and consistency.

The following discussion points were made:

·       The report was welcomed, and it was good to see improvements had been made, particularly with dental checks. However, it was suggested that there should be a deep dive on initial health assessments being completed within 20 days due to the importance of them. Looking into different ways of completing them which become more child led.

·       Members also suggested that there should be more detail into what 19–21-year-olds are doing in terms of employment and apprenticeship schemes. It was agreed that members would have a breakdown of this before the next meeting.

·       The Tornado chart shows that there is a number difference of 20% between boys and girls. The Service Manager would investigate this and will look in detail and refer to the board.