The Corporate Parenting Panel of Harrow Council met on Tuesday 27 March 2018 to discuss a range of reports concerning children looked after by the council. Key topics included the performance and activity of children in care, health services provided to them, the annual report from the Independent Reviewing Officers, and an update on foster carer payments.

Information Report - Activity and Performance

A report was scheduled to be presented detailing the activity and performance for children looked after (CLA) and care leavers as of February 2018. The report indicated a decrease in the number of CLA, with Harrow's rate per 10,000 children remaining below the national and statistical neighbour averages. Health indicators were noted as generally positive, though immunisations and emotional health (measured by Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires - SDQs) were identified for potential improvement. School attendance and fixed-term exclusions were highlighted as areas requiring ongoing monitoring. The report also noted an increase in care leavers in suitable accommodation, but a rise in those not in employment, education, or training (NEET). Data on missing incidents and placement stability were also to be reviewed, with placement stability showing improvement. The report indicated that Harrow's CLA offending rate was higher than comparators, which was being investigated.

Harrow Children Looked After Health (CLA) Report

The panel was scheduled to receive an update on the delivery of health services to Harrow's Children Looked After (CLA) for the period December 2017 to February 2018. The report indicated that all targets for initial and review health assessments were met during this period, highlighting good partnership working between social workers and the CLA health team. Bi-monthly monitoring meetings with the CCG and Harrow Council were ongoing, as were efforts to monitor immunisations. The report also detailed work undertaken in attending strategic and partnership meetings, and training delivered to health visitors and school nurses. The voice of the child and care leavers was to be updated, with the annual client satisfaction survey nearing completion. Complex case studies were to be discussed, including joint visits with social workers and follow-up appointments for young people with specific health and exploitation concerns. Future plans included continuing to work with social workers to ensure SDQs were sent with review health assessment requests, analysing client satisfaction audit results, and beginning the CLA annual report for 2017/18.

Children's Services, IRO Annual Report 2016/17

The panel was scheduled to consider the Independent Reviewing Officers' (IROs) annual report for 2016/17. This report evaluates the work of the IRO service in ensuring the quality of care planning for children looked after. The report highlighted that the IRO service sits within Quality Assurance and Service Improvement, supporting their independence. The IRO caseloads were reported to be within recommended guidance, and a total of 605 reviews were chaired during the year. The majority of children entering care were aged between 10-15. The report detailed permanency outcomes, with the largest proportion returning home to parents or relatives, and a smaller percentage being adopted. It also reviewed the five entitlements for looked-after children and care leavers, noting that all children had information about their entitlements, and that 100% of young people had information regarding their entitlement to a setting up home allowance and support for education or training. The report also noted that 98% of looked-after reviews took place within statutory timescales.

Foster Carer Payments

An information report was scheduled to outline updated proposals regarding fostering payments for 2018-2019. The report aimed to inform the panel about the payments system for foster carers and the range of activities these payments cover. The proposed rates were stated to be competitive and in line with the National Fostering Stocktake, with tiered rates recognising varying complexities of need. This approach was intended to enable children previously placed in higher-cost residential and independent fostering agencies to be placed with in-house foster carers. The report followed consultation with the Harrow Foster Carer Association and had been signed off by the Director of Children's Services. The report also outlined expectations for how foster carers should spend their payments to ensure the day-to-day needs and opportunities for Harrow's looked-after children were met.

Public Questions, Petitions and Deputations

The agenda also included provisions for public questions, petitions, and deputations, in accordance with the council's executive procedure rules. A time limit of 15 minutes was allocated for public questions.