The Corporate Parenting Panel met on Wednesday, 24 January 2024, to discuss performance reports, updates from various working groups, and the health and adult transitions for young people in care. Key discussions included the development of a local offer app, improvements in communication with care-experienced young people, and the challenges faced in meeting statutory timescales for health assessments.

Performance Report

The Panel reviewed the performance report for January 2024, noting a steady improvement in pathway plans for care-experienced young people since September 2023. However, a decline in performance for looked-after children's care plans and care-experienced adults was observed during the Christmas period, attributed to staff sickness and holiday leave. Officers assured the Panel that care plans do not take priority over seeing young people and that efforts are being made to embed better practices to maintain data performance. The Panel expressed concern about the number of out-of-date care plans and the potential consequences, particularly in light of legal challenges. It was agreed that a plan for improvement would be put in place, with a focus on ensuring staff availability during holiday periods and embedding professional responsibility to address each young person's plan before staff annual leave. An update on care and pathway plans is to be provided at the next meeting.

Further discussion on the performance report highlighted concerns regarding the rate of adolescents entering and leaving care in April 2023, with officers agreeing to provide a narrative explanation at a future meeting. The average time for children to be placed with adoptive families was noted as the highest in the last twelve months, which officers explained was due to a small number of children with complex needs requiring longer adoption processes. The red indicator for foster carer visits was attributed to the time of year and sickness. The percentage of health assessments completed within 20 days of a child becoming looked after had fallen to 25%, with officers explaining that while October had shown better performance, the health team prioritises Croydon children.

Health & Adult Transitions Sub-Group

A verbal update was provided on the Health & Adult Transitions Sub-Group, focusing on health progressions and adult transitions for young people. Key discussion points included the need for a better understanding of what transitions mean for young people using services, the critical interdependencies with housing and education, and improving access to health-related activities and signposting for GPs and dentistry. The sub-group also explored how to better meet the mental health needs and neurodiversity of young people, and the provision of 24/7 or extended support. Three key takeaways from the discussion were the interpretation of health and transition for care-experienced young people, developing better responses, and making existing resources more accessible.

Ambassador T shared their experience that transitioning should begin before the age of 16, as it can take a year to process the changes associated with independence. The Chair inquired about the availability of 24/7 support and out-of-hours contact for young people in need. Officers acknowledged that while the service excels at preventing crises, they need to improve their response when crises occur. The Panel discussed ideas for extended support services, including collaboration with other boroughs, preparation groups, a toolkit for basic maintenance, and a dedicated transition team. The importance of a village feeling, with a network of support for those attending university, was also raised. Various existing community resources were identified, such as mentoring, starter flats, and peer support groups.

Update from Children's Participation Team & Children in Care Council

The Children's Participation Team and the Children in Care Council (CICC) provided an update, highlighting that the service would soon be at full capacity, enabling greater reach to young people. A new team of ambassadors, present at the meeting, were welcomed. The team is also contributing to the progressing House Project. It was noted that opportunities for understanding nuances and communication should extend beyond social care. An ambassador shared their positive experience as a benchmarking forum champion, networking with other boroughs to identify areas where Croydon could improve.

Update on Protected Characteristic Working Group

Jane Scott, Transformation Lead, and Joel Pace-Jr, CICC Coordinator, provided an update on the Protected Characteristic Working Group. The group has met twice and is developing a team survey to cover the diversity of young people and older children, with internal focus groups being set up. The group has also reviewed national perspectives on protected characteristics and the importance of understanding what these mean to young people and their access to resources. Wider council work will also be incorporated into the survey. The Chair requested a feedback update on the survey once it is live.

The App

Officers reported that the local offer app is in the process of being set up with a contract. The ambassador's team has met with the app designers for a preview to assist with co-designing, but a timeline for completion is not yet available.

Disclosures of Interest

Angela Christmas declared that she was previously KH's foster carer and staying put carer.