To provide an update concerning efforts to reduce the number of looked after children (LAC)

The committee received a report from the director children and families concerning an update on reducing the number of looked after children (LAC). The Assistant Director Safeguarding & Family Support introduced the report and explained that work to reduce the numbers of LAC included: pursuing special guardianship orders (SGOs) where appropriate; identifying children at risk of becoming looked after at an earlier stage and working with families; seeking to revoke care orders where children were living at home; ensuring that pre-proceedings work was robust; that the alternatives to care panel was sufficiently challenging; the introduction of signs of safety; and ongoing work with other local authority areas to improve processes and systems.

The committee raised those comments below in the debate that followed:

·         The outcomes for the 80 children identified in 2017 as potentially suitable for SGOs or reunification was queried. The ADS&FS explained that during 2017 there was not a tracker to keep a record of the progress of children. A tracker was now in existence which would record the progress of the 49 children currently identified as suitable for SGO or reunification.

·         It was queried whether the review of children that had become looked after between August – October 2019 had included an assessment of early help offered. The ADS&FS explained that all options were discussed at the alternatives to care panel to attempt to keep children with their families. During pre-proceedings arrangements there was an examination of all work undertaken with children at risk of becoming looked after children.

·         The timescales involved in the provision of early help was queried. The ADS&FS explained that early help was an approach which had seen the amount of assessments increase steadily. In some settings, such as schools, where a need was identified the provision of early help could be undertaken very quickly.

·         The distinction between edge of care and early help was queried. The cabinet member for children and families explained the different approaches; edge of care worked with children who were in care or on the cusp of becoming looked after children. Early help was undertaken at a prior stage to work with children and families to divert from care those at risk of becoming looked after children. Members of the committee were encouraged to attend a meeting of the alternative to care panel and the corporate parenting panel and also to visit the MASH.

RESOLVED: That the committee:

·         Recognises the work that has been undertaken and the progress made in implementing systems to reduce the numbers of looked after children; and

·         Asks that a report is submitted to a meeting in 12 months times which provides a breakdown of the progress made in regard of the 49 children identified for SGOs or reunification.