The Children and Young People's Scrutiny Panel met on Tuesday, 5th March 2024, to discuss the progress of the Looked After Children Sufficiency Strategy, receive an update on private fostering, and review the social care annual performance for 2022/2023. The panel also heard a verbal update from the Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Families.

Looked After Children Sufficiency Strategy 2022/26: Progress Report

The panel received a progress report on the Looked After Children Sufficiency Strategy 2022-26. Keith Warren, Head of CIC & Placements, presented the update. Discussions covered the psychological impact on unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) and the process of age assessments, with officers assuring the panel that all relevant guidelines and legislation were followed and that assessments were child-centric. The panel also queried the age cut-off for children in care and the transition arrangements for young adults leaving care, with officers explaining that support continues until age 25 for eligible individuals. The reduction in the number of children in care was attributed to improvements in early years services, though the DCS emphasised that the key was ensuring the right number of children needing care were in care. Training for foster carers for UASC was discussed, with an emphasis on specialist support for children who have experienced trauma. The importance of overnight respite care for parents, particularly those with SEND children, was highlighted, and officers stated they were working to find alternative provision.

Cabinet Member Questions - Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Families

Councillor Zena Brabazon, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools & Families, provided a verbal update on her portfolio. Key points included the upcoming publication of a SEND inspection report, the success of Corporate Parenting Week and its awards ceremony for foster parents, and the progress of the Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee. She also mentioned the first Youth at Risk conference held at Spurs and an event with school governors, noting the financial challenges schools are facing. An event with SEND Power focused on mainstream education for SEND children was also discussed.

During the Q&A session, the panel raised concerns about matching children with foster parents for long-term placements, particularly for those with additional care needs. Officers explained a therapeutic approach to matching and assured that social workers were mindful of established relationships with foster carers. The council's process for Jewish foster placements was queried, with officers stating they were working on a more formalised process and aiming to develop a diverse group of foster carers. The Cabinet Member expressed pride in the diversity of the borough's foster carers. The biggest challenge for the next six months was identified as a lack of funding in the education system. The panel also sought assurances about permanent social workers, with concerns raised about temporary contracts affecting parents of SEND children. The introduction of a new system, Liquid Logic, with an add-on portal for parents with children with an Educational Health and Care Plan was discussed, with an estimated implementation timescale of 12 to 18 months. The need to ensure parents were consulted on the portal's design was emphasised.

Private Fostering September 2022-23

The panel received a report on private fostering notifications, assessments, and monitoring activity. Keith Warren, Head of Children in Care & Placements, introduced the report. The discussion focused on incentives for people to notify the council of private fostering arrangements, with officers explaining that the provision of a social worker was the incentive. The challenge of identifying children under private fostering arrangements and raising awareness through various channels was acknowledged. Clarification was sought on whether private fostering arrangements went to fostering or adoption panels, with officers explaining that private adoptions were a separate process. The Director acknowledged that a social worker might not be seen as an incentive by everyone but stressed the importance of the safety and care of the child. It was confirmed that children with SEND in private fostering arrangements would receive the same access to SEND services. The regional adoption arrangements were also explained, with Haringey part of the London North cluster led by Islington.

Social Care Annual Performance 2022/2023

Ann Graham, Director of Children's Services, introduced the report on safeguarding and looked after children activity and performance for 2022/2023. The Chair highlighted that child poverty levels in Haringey were the 8th highest in London and suggested a future update on this. The number of children in contact with the police was also noted, with a suggestion for an update on how the council supports children affected by domestic violence. The panel sought further information on the strategy for supporting children with SEND transitioning to adulthood, expressing concern about young people falling through the net. The DCS offered to discuss this issue outside the meeting. The panel queried a statement about 80% of children being placed within 20 miles of Haringey, with officers explaining this was a central government performance indicator and that placements were made based on what was best for the child. The committee noted the report, including service improvements, challenges, actions taken in response to demand and financial pressures, and priorities for 2023/24 following analysis of performance and Ofsted findings.

Work Programme Update

The Chair thanked Lourdes Keever for her service on the Panel since 2019 as a co-opted Member. The work programme was noted.

Dates of Future Meetings

It was noted that this was the last meeting of the municipal year, with dates for 2024/25 to be agreed at Annual Council on 20th May.