The Corporate Parenting Panel of Harrow Council met on Thursday 1 May 2025 to discuss updates on services for children in care and care leavers. Key topics included the performance of the Virtual School, health assessments for children in care, and the ongoing work of the Participation Service.

Update from Care Experienced Young People

The Participation Officer, Joy Bell, provided an update on the work of the Participation Service, highlighting achievements in 2024 such as the revival of the Care-Experienced Celebration and the CREATE Art Exhibition. Plans for 2025 include expanding training for social workers and continuing a diverse programme of events. A care-experienced representative shared a positive personal experience of transitioning out of care, noting that while communication and engagement between Personal Advisers (PAs) and young people could be improved, especially during PA changes, ongoing support such as financial assistance for travel and medical prescriptions is available. The panel noted the report. The Participation Service's update can be found in the CPP Participation Update 01.05 document.

Action Plan and Update for Children Looked After and Care Leavers

The Assistant Director for Corporate Parenting presented an update on the Corporate Parenting Service, which manages three social work teams supporting children with long-term fostering, special guardianship, or adoption plans, as well as unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people and care leavers up to the age of 25. The report outlined seven pledges for children in care, with plans to develop a specific pledge for care leavers. Harrow currently has 168 young people in care, a stable number, and 310 care leavers. Performance statistics indicate Harrow is above the national average for child stability, though the timeliness of reviews has decreased. The number of children placed more than 20 miles away has increased to 26.2%. The discussion also covered fostering, noting that 78 people are in Harrow's fostering provision and 28 in the independent sector. Challenges in recruiting and retaining foster carers were highlighted, with suggestions to target recruitment through local mosques and religious buildings. The panel noted the report, which is part of the ILACS ACTION PLAN Amended document.

Update and Performance on Health for Children Looked After

The Named Nurse for Children Looked After in Harrow, Christine Nichols, presented an update on health assessments. The report indicated that 83.3% of requests for Initial Health Assessments (IHAs) were received outside of timescales, and 53.3% of requests for Review Health Assessments (RHAs) were also late. Contributing factors included carers declining appointments, young people not attending, and children being placed out of borough. Efforts to address delays include liaison with social workers, senior managers, and carers, as well as reminder calls. A positive case study was shared about a 16-year-old female whose school attendance and behaviour improved following intervention from the Designated Nurse. The panel noted the report, which is detailed in the Harrow CLA Named Nurse amended document.

Virtual School Performance Update

The Headteacher of Harrow Virtual School, Mellina Williamson-Taylor, provided an update on performance. The report highlighted that 78 students of statutory school age are on roll, with 74% having been in care for over a year. 93% attend schools rated 'Good' or better by Ofsted. The report also noted that 41% of students have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), and 40% have identified social, emotional, and mental health challenges. Personal Education Plan (PEP) returns remain at 100%. The Virtual School has seen a decline in its student cohort over recent years, impacting its budget. The report also detailed support for students aged 16-25, including pathways to higher education, apprenticeships, and employment opportunities, with collaborations with Lumina Pathways and Harrow Human Resources. The panel noted the report, which can be found in the Virtual School Updates 1st May document.

Director of Children Services - Verbal update on 2 day diagnostic

A verbal update was provided by the Director of Children Services regarding a two-day diagnostic. No further details were recorded in the public documents.

Response to Missing Children in Care and Leaving Care

A verbal update was provided by the Assistant Director for Corporate Parenting concerning missing children in care and leaving care. No further details were recorded in the public documents.

The meeting also noted the attendance of Councillor Govind Bharadia as a reserve member and confirmed that no declarations of interest were made. The minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 January 2025 were approved. There were no public questions, petitions, or deputations received. The panel also agreed to note the report on Being a Corporate Parent in Action, which discussed strategies to support foster parents, carers, and young people, including suggestions for training sessions for councillors.