The Children and Young People's Scrutiny Panel met on Tuesday 5th March 2024 to discuss progress on the Looked After Children Sufficiency Strategy, review the Social Care Annual Performance for 2022/2023, and receive an update on Private Fostering. The Panel also heard a verbal update from the Cabinet Member for Children, Schools 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. 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 sought clarification on the age cut-off for children in care and the transition arrangements for young people leaving care, with officers explaining that support continues until age 25 for those with specific needs or in education. The reduction in the number of children in care was discussed, with improvements in early years services cited as a contributing factor, though the Director of Children's Services emphasised that the key was ensuring the right number of children needing care were in care. The Panel also highlighted the importance of overnight respite care for parents, particularly those with SEND children, and was informed that officers were working to find alternative provision. The Panel noted the report.

Social Care Annual Performance 2022/2023

The Panel reviewed the Social Care Annual Performance report for 2022/2023, which provided an overview of safeguarding and looked after children activity. The Chair noted that child poverty levels in Haringey were the eighth highest in London and suggested a future update on this issue. The Panel also raised concerns about the number of children in contact with the police and requested an update on how the Council and its partners support children affected by domestic violence. A key discussion point was the strategy for supporting children with SEND needs as they transition to adulthood, with concerns raised about young people falling through the net and a desire for a dedicated transition service. The Director of Children's Services offered to discuss this further outside the meeting. The Panel queried the statistic that 80% of children were placed within 20 miles of Haringey, and officers explained this was a government performance indicator, with placements prioritised based on the child's best interests. The Panel resolved to note the report, including service improvements, challenges, and actions taken in response to demand and financial pressures, as well as priorities for 2023/24 following Ofsted findings.

Private Fostering September 2022-23

An update on private fostering notifications, assessments, and monitoring activity was presented, aiming to assure members that privately fostered children were adequately safeguarded. The Panel inquired about 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 Director acknowledged the challenge in raising awareness about what constitutes a private fostering arrangement, particularly for short-term stays. The Panel sought clarification on whether private adoptions went through fostering or adoption panels, and were informed that private adoptions are a separate process. The Director emphasised that the primary selling point for private fostering should be the safety and care of the child. The report detailed that 8 notifications of new private fostering arrangements were received between September 2022 and September 2023, a decrease from previous years, which aligned with national trends impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Panel noted the report.

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

Councillor Zena Brabazon, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families, provided a verbal update. Key points included the recent three-week SEND inspection, with the report expected at the end of March, and thanks extended to Amanda Bernard and SEND Power for their collaboration. Corporate Parenting Week was highlighted as a successful event, with praise for foster parents. The Cabinet Member also mentioned progress with the Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee and the first Youth at Risk conference. Discussions during the Q&A session covered matching children with foster parents for long-term placements, the Council's process for Jewish foster placements, the diversity of foster carers, and the biggest challenges ahead, with a lack of funding identified as the primary concern. The Panel also raised questions about permanent social workers and the development of a portal for parents of children with Educational Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), with an estimated implementation time of 12 to 18 months. The Panel resolved to note the update.