The DCF introduced the report of the scrutiny working group (as appended to the agenda) which consisted of two members of the committee and received bi-monthly reports of work that was ongoing to reduce the costs associated with looked after children. During the period that the group was in operation up to 80 children and young people had been identified who could be supported in different arrangements  from care including by special guardianship order and return to parents. The number pf looked after children (LAC) in Herefordshire was comparatively high in relation to other Local Authorities. Assessments were being  made as to what was best in respect of each child and young person. The savings proposal for 2018/19 had been considered by the group and it was understood that the savings did not relate totally to the reduction in numbers of looked after children through this work alone but concerned broader aspects of service. The savings proposals would continue into 2019/20 and would focus on revising the financial approach to special guardianship.

Councillor Seldon spoke on the report as a member of the working group and thanked the DCF and the head of the service for Looked After Children for the work they had undertaken. The Group had challenged the savings outlined in the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) during meetings with the DCF and the report was commended to the Executive.

The committee discussed the points below in the debate that followed:

·         The committee acknowledged the challenges in recruitment of social workers to local authorities across the West Midland. The continuing vacancies for social workers in Herefordshire were raised.  The DCF confirmed that recruitment had occurred over the year and that vacancies were now almost full, a number had been recruited through the West Midlands regional approach which was really welcome, but Herefordshire wanted to permanently recruit staff as well as retain the good staff that it has.

·         The committee welcomes those positive elements of the report including the care orders that had been revoked.

·         The shortage of places locally for children requiring intensive support was raised which was consistent with a national shortage. The DCF explained that there was a current initiative in the West Midlands which had seen local authorities join together, under a scheme originating from the Department of Education, to look at increasing local provision for intensive support.

·         The committee requested that future updates concerning performance against the savings proposal should be reported to the committee.

RESOLVED: that future updates concerning performance against the LAC reduction savings proposal added to the committee’s work programme.