Issue - meetings

To receive a report from Louise Drury, Head of Service Children in Care.

Members were introduced to the Corporate Parenting Dataset and were given an update on the number of children in care as well as the positive progress that had been made. Members also received an overview on strengths and difficulties questionnaires as well as attendance figures and care leavers accommodation. Members were also informed that officers were continuing to work hard to ensure children were placed within their local communities and noted that more needed to be done to complete health assessments on time. It was also highlighted the increase in the number of children in education and an increase in children being adopted. It was noted that the number of children being adopted was higher than the national average.

Members raised the following questions and statements:

·       Clarification of attendance figures of children in care.

·       Potential to have prioritised mental health assessments and members wanted to ensure that health assessments were completed on time.

·       Cllr K Wheller felt the figures were looking good. She informed the board that she’d spoken to young adults to get their feedback and praised the hard work that officers were doing to support children in care.

·       Attendance was something that needed to be monitored and was reassured that there was a process in place. Members were pleased to hear that numbers in further education had increased.

The Corporate Parenting Board Dataset was received and noted.