Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Corporate Director – Care and Protection.

Paul Dempsey, Corporate Director for Care and Protection, introduced members to the Corporate Parenting Board and gave an update on their performance. Referring to the infographics within the report, he highlighted the key indicators which had improved and worsened, noting that there was more positive than negative. Members also received an overview of the number of children in care which had reduced from 449 to 442 as well as discussing the number of foster placements and the percentage of children in care who had secured long term stability and continuity. The Corporate Director for Care and Protection also gave a summary of the strengths and difficulties questionnaires, noting that there were areas which needed to improve despite having greater results since the board last met.

Members were informed that officers had been working hard to ensure that health assessments were completed on time and school attendance figures were highlighted. Paul Dempsey, Corporate Director for Care and Protection, drew members attention to the report, noting that 63% of children were in education, training, or employment. He also referred to the high number of children who were currently in suitable accommodation and assured members that they were continually striving to provide suitable accommodation for care leavers as well as supporting them through pathway plans. To summarise, the Corporate Director for Care and Protection noted the work which had been completed but discussed what further work needed to be done to increase the number of children within education, training or employment.

Questions/comments

·       Questions regarding the different measures for engagement in education.

·       Extra support needed for areas such as mental health and wellbeing and members queried if there were any correlations between those with an EHCP and children within care.

·       Members noted the percentage of children placed for adoption.

·       Clarification regarding how long Dorset children wait for permanent placements, comparisons to sibling’s groups and how both these figures compare nationally.

·       How has the number of children been placed outside of their locality reviewed and what are the challenges surrounding this.

·       Members requested that the sufficiency strategy be presented to the board at a future meeting.

The Corporate Parenting Board Dataset was received and noted.