Agenda item

Context:

To provide members with a report card that considers quarter 2 performance in children’s social services.

Key Issues:

1.         The report card uses a narrative format alongside graphs to show how the service is performing using a range of measures from the initial referral through to what care leavers are doing when they turn nineteen. It is supplemented by two appendices:

·         Appendix 1 contains national performance indicators showing how we have performed over time and compared to other council’s in Wales.

·         Appendix 2 contains a broader range of measures including local data, Wales averages are available for these measures but we are unable to publish performance for other authorities individually

2.         The number of looked after children has increased from 108 at the end of 2014/15 to 121 at the end of quarter 2. Over the same period the number of children on the child protection register has declined from 49 to 41.

3.         Children’s Services continue to focus on four key National performance indicators where significant improvements were made last year. These are:

4.         Performance in three of the four key indicators is lower at Quarter 2 than at the end of 2014-15. Charts 2, 3, 7 and 8 in the main body of the report show rolling-year data for these indicators. 

5.         Improvements have been made in 2 of the 3 indicators measuring the timeliness of the children protection process. The timeliness of initial child protection conferences and first core groups have both improved since last year but the timeliness of child protection reviews has decreased.

6.         At the end of quarter 2, seven looked after children have had a non-transitional school moves (SCC/002), compared to 15 in the whole of last year. Continuing at this level would produce year-end performance slightly lower than 2014/15 when we were 21^st in Wales. The service manager has confirmed that most (but not all) moves are due to children moving into long-term placements.

7.         Two looked after children had 3 or more placements (SCC/004) during 2014/15. By the end of quarter 2 this year two children have had 3 or more placements, a further 8 children have had two placements so we are likely to exceed last year’s total.

8.         Three care leavers have turned 19 by quarter 2 and are in touch with social services (SCC/033d). Four more will turn 19 in the remaining 6 months. At present, of those four, two appear to be in contact meaning our likely year end position is 71% (5/7), down from 88.9% last year.

9.         Of the three care leavers who are 19, one is in suitable accommodation (SCC/033e). Of the remaining two in touch who will turn 19 later in the year, both are currently in suitable accommodation. Our year end position is expected to be 60% (3/5,) a decrease from 87.5% in 2014/15.

10.       Of the three care leavers who are 19, one is in education, training or work (SCC/033f). Of the remaining two in touch who will turn 19 later in the year, one is currently in education, training or work so our year end position is expected to be 40% (2/5), compared to 25% last year when we were lowest in Wales.

Member Scrutiny:

We were informed that Children and Adult Services have new I.T. system which will allow for easier use and greater clarity of KPI’s.

A Member commented that as Authority we have a once in a lifetime opportunity and asked the Chief Officer for their view of Children’s Services. The Chief Officer told us that the Service had been on a journey of improvement over the last 18 months and that improvement must be sustained.

The new framework focusing on outcomes was discussed by a Member and the Chief Officer explained that new measures were being looked at now. We were told that the nature of services and intervention between Adults and Children’s Services were was very different and as the Chief Officer they would look forward to bringing the progress of both services to Committee the relevant Committees.

Recommendations:

1. Members should use this report and the associated indicators to scrutinise whether services are being delivered in line with expectations and are contributing to the agreed outcomes.

2. Members should identify any areas of underperformance or concerns that require further investigation