The Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee of Haringey Council met on Tuesday 27 February 2024 to discuss arrangements for young people leaving foster care, the stability of children's placements, and private fostering. The committee noted reports on these matters and received updates on Corporate Parenting Week and dental checks for children in care.

Staying Put Arrangements

The committee received a report on Staying Put arrangements, which allow young people in foster care to remain with their carers after they turn 18. Emma Cummergen, Head of Young Adult Service, explained that these arrangements are discussed at the outset of a child's placement and are increasingly being chosen by young people, indicating greater placement stability. The service currently supports over 400 individuals aged 18-25, with 31 active Staying Put arrangements for care leavers, including unaccompanied minors and those awaiting university. The report highlighted that while most foster carers are supported, concerns exist for young people whose carers opt out of these arrangements, with services like First Steps available for psychological support. The committee noted the report.

Stability Panel Update

Keith Warren, Head of Children in Care & Placements, provided a verbal update on the Placement Stability Panel. The panel's purpose is to intervene early to prevent children from experiencing frequent changes in foster placements, carers, or schools, which can negatively impact their relationships, academic performance, self-esteem, and confidence. Ofsted has identified the panel's strengths in preventing placement breakdowns and mobilising support services. Between April 2023 and the meeting date, the panel reviewed 53 children with two or more placement moves, with 81% remaining in their placements with support. The committee noted the information.

Private Fostering Annual Report

Keith Warren also presented the Private Fostering Annual Report for 2022-23. The report detailed efforts to increase notifications, assessments, and monitoring of private fostering arrangements to ensure the safeguarding of privately fostered children. The service is working to improve data accuracy by encouraging social workers to build community relationships and partnerships, and by distributing flyers through schools and newsletters. The Haredi community in Haringey has been a focus for awareness-raising efforts. Most referrals currently come from educational institutions. The committee noted the report.

Fostering Panel Annual Report 2022-23

Shirley Walker introduced the Fostering Panel Annual Report for 2022-23. The panel provides quality assurance, challenging the quality of reports and feedback on good practice and areas falling short of National Minimum Standards. The committee heard that children have various methods to provide feedback, including written comments, voice notes, and face-to-face discussions. Training for foster carers is an ongoing focus, with Haringey exploring more bespoke online training methods, including podcasts and one-to-one conversations, to address feedback that traditional classroom or screen-based training was impersonal. The committee recommended that a report on Health be considered at a future Corporate Parenting Advisory Board and that this report be reviewed every six months alongside the annual report. The committee noted the report.

Corporate Parenting Week

Keith Warren provided an update on Haringey's first Corporate Parenting Week, which received positive feedback. Plans for the following year include opening the event to wider communities and businesses to secure funding and grants to support children in the borough. An initiative called Proud to be me aims to support children from Black and other minority backgrounds. The committee noted the information.

Dental Checks for Children in Care

Lynn Carrington, Designated Nurse for Children in Care, provided an update on dental checks for Haringey's children in care. The Healthy Smiles Looked After Children's Oral Health Pilot, which began in November 2021, aims to ensure children receive statutory oral health assessments and routine NHS dental care. The service aims to refer children who are unable to secure appointments, and Whittington Health dental services will also see Children in Care. The committee heard that some foster carers have reported difficulties in booking appointments for children who have recently moved to them. Currently, 101 children between the ages of 2 and 18 do not have an up-to-date dental check recorded on Liquid Logic.

Family Stress Factors Leading to Public Law Outline

This agenda item was deferred to the next meeting.