Agenda item

The Chair welcomed Barbara Bath, Interim Director of Children's Social Care and Brendan Lee, Head of Service Looked After Children and Leaving Care from Lancashire County Council to discuss a report has been prepared for the committee to provide a progress update in relation to work being carried out in three specific key areas:

·  Children and Young People not in Education, Employment or Training (EET);

·  Children, Young People and Housing; and

·  Children, Young People and School Transitions.

Following the remodelling of Lancashire County Council's Children's Services implemented on 4 January 2021, the Permanence Service was formed and is made up of the Children in Our Care teams and Leaving Care teams. The service focusses on supporting children who are Looked After with a plan of permanence and Care Experienced young people.

Members thanked Brendan Lee for his presentation.

Comments and queries were raised by the committee as follows:

·  In response to how success is measured, the county council hope for 98%+ of Looked After children in EET. In a year's time, they would want to see progress increase month-on-month and hope to see 16-17 year olds at 90%, with care leavers where the young people are now. Then in a year's time, the 16-17 year olds will become the 18-19 year olds, and hope that they can remain high figures at 80%. 

·  It was confirmed that the county council's Business Intelligence team are involved in the tracking. To measure progress, officers would look to compare figures with partners in nearby authorities by understanding their stories and progress.

·  It was clarified that the house project base, would be an accessible place for young people, not just Monday–Friday during the hours of 9:00am-5:00pm, where they can touchdown and receive support from a personal adviser or social worker. There would need to be more than one base in a geographical area. Officers informed the committee they intend to pilot one base, to make sure they get everything right before opening more in Lancashire. They would like it to be near other National House Project properties to build on partnerships.

·  Members queried about Looked After children living in Lancashire who are under the responsibility of a different authority and living in private provision. It was explained that private provisions are regulated by Ofsted. Ofsted are responsible for approving their registration and then responsible for inspecting them. Since September 2021, it is unlawful to place a child under the age of 16, requiring care in an unregistered placement and by autumn 2023, it is expected that establishments providing care to 16-17 year olds, will also require to register with Ofsted. For other authorities placing a child into an establishment in Lancashire, there is a statutory requirement for them to notify Lancashire County Council, education, and health. Day to day care and planning of the child remains the responsibility of the host authority, however, if an emergency safeguarding issue rises then the county council must respond to this immediate issue and work with the host authority to forward plan.

·  In terms of five short-medium term homes for children with complex needs, it was noted that children who cannot cope in large (six bedded) children's homes due to complexities were moved into the private sector. However, it has proved more challenging to place children in the private sector who need smaller homes, therefore it was agreed by Cabinet to restructure residential provision and now some larger homes are being converted to small (three bedded) children's homes. One property has been converted, one is currently being proposed with an addition of an adolescent support unit, one other home to be repurposed from existing property in Lancashire, and an emergency provision home. There are also plans to create two adolescent support units, these will not be a permanent home, but offer a range of outreach and weekend respite support for children and families who are at crisis and risk of coming into care.

·  In terms of length of stay in care homes and integrating into the local community, it was clarified that permanence and lasting homes are a priority if a child requires to stay in care, but there is also the option to return home, as each child's reason for being in care is different. Care plans are in place to know the child's hobbies and interests and how to access them in their local area.

·  Members asked for the timeline of recruiting for the house project, it was explained the recruitment process has begun. Adverts have been posted and some interviews have been set-up.

·  It was clarified if members receive complaints about private provision homes, they should approach the county council first.

The Chair thanked Brendan and Barbara for the report and for answering questions from the committee.

Resolved: that;

  i.  The report and information presented be considered.

  ii.  An update be provided to the committee in six-months.