The Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee is scheduled to consider reports on children in care within the youth justice system, the annual report from the Independent Reviewing Officer service, and a performance update for children's social care. The meeting will also review the minutes from a previous meeting held on Tuesday, 4th November 2025.

Children in Care within the Youth Justice Impact Report (CIC Action Plan)

The committee is scheduled to receive an update from the Youth Justice Service (YJS) regarding the outcomes for children in care (CIC) who are supported by the YJS. This report covers the period from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. It details that 251 children had a disposal outcome through the YJS during this period, with 45 (18%) identified as CIC. Of these, 23 were looked after by Haringey, and 11 were remanded to Youth Detention Accommodation. The report highlights that children in care are more likely to be sentenced for most offences, particularly violent, robbery, and drug-related offences, and are also disproportionately subject to breaches. Furthermore, Black children are disproportionately represented within the CIC cohort, making up 53% of the CIC population, compared to 22% of the overall population. Male children are also disproportionately represented, with 38% of males being CIC compared to 3% of females. The report also outlines key challenges for the YJS and its partners, including fluctuating legal statuses of children, reliance on host boroughs for assessments when children are placed out of borough, and frequent changes in placements impacting relational work. Barriers to employment, education, and training (ETE) for young people aged 16 and over who are not in education, training, or employment (NEET) are also detailed, with a key finding that 50% desire employment but face a lack of support and need practical employability help.

IRO Annual Report 2025-2026

The committee is scheduled to review the annual report from Haringey's Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) Service for the period April 2025 to March 2026. This report provides assurance on the performance and impact of the service. At 31 March 2026, Haringey was caring for 296 children and young people, a decrease from 320 in April 2025, attributed to fewer children entering care and work to support children within family networks. The IRO Service maintained strong statutory performance, with 96% of children having an up-to-date review and 88% of children over four participating in their reviews. Ofsted reportedly recognised reviews as timely and purposeful, highlighting the value IROs add through children's participation and child-centred planning. The report identifies areas for further development, including participation, permanence, matching, cultural competence, adolescent safeguarding, and demonstrating service impact. Service stability is noted as a key strength, with consistent IRO relationships providing continuity for children. The report details the IRO Service's structure, training, and professional development, with a focus on specialist expertise and reflective practice. Key areas of focus for 2025-26 included ensuring children's voices are central to planning, identifying risks of child sexual exploitation, understanding children's digital lives, reflecting cultural and identity needs, and considering wider family vulnerability. The report also notes that 11 children secured permanence through adoption and 6 through Special Guardianship Orders during the period.

Children's Social Care Performance Quarter 2 2026/27

This report is scheduled to provide an analysis of performance data and trends for measures relating to Children Looked After (CLA), care leavers, and those who have ceased to be looked after during the period. It aims to inform the committee of the performance of Children Social Care Services for 2026/27 and highlight progress in safeguarding children and young people. The report notes that Haringey's Children in Care have above-average educational outcomes, with a KS4 Average Attainment 8 Score of 24.2 for 2025, significantly higher than the England average of 17.3. Children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) also show higher educational outcomes. Haringey has fewer secondary pupils permanently excluded and has seen an improvement in the percentage of NEET children. Regarding Children Looked After, the number of children in care at the end of August 2026 was 299, a decrease from 325 at the end of March 2025, described as one of the lowest rates in Haringey. Foster placements remain the most used placement type. The report also details placement stability, with 10% of children having three or more placements in the past 12 months, and long-term placement stability sustained at 74%. The report indicates that 14% of CLA were reported missing over the last 12 months, which remains below the statistical neighbour rate. For Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC), the number in care is currently 17. Health and dental assessments for CLA are generally up-to-date, with 96% of those in care for over 12 months having an up-to-date health assessment. There were 11 adoptions during 2025/26. For care leavers, 623 were qualified for care leaver services by the end of August 2026, with a high percentage in touch with the Young Adults service. Accommodation suitability for 19-21 year olds shows independent living as the most common type.

Minutes of the Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee Meeting

The committee is scheduled to consider the minutes from the previous meeting held on Tuesday, 4th November 2025. The minutes from that meeting indicate discussions around an event with ASPIRE and care leaders, including plans for workshops and activities for young people. There was also a discussion regarding the Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) Annual Report 2024-25, which noted improvements in the timeliness of reviews and participation of young people, while also identifying areas for development. The Fostering Annual Report 2024-25 was also discussed, highlighting challenges in recruiting foster carers and the impact of rising housing costs. A performance update for Quarter 1 & 2 of 2025/26 was presented, covering Children Looked After (CLA) services and benchmarking against statistical neighbours. Finally, a verbal update on Care Leavers Employment was provided, with plans for launch and celebratory events in the new year, which Baroness Lola Young was expected to attend.